SAVING FAITH

Many people give 'intellectual assent' to the truths found in Scripture. These well-meaning religious folks believe that the Son of God was crucified on Calvary's cross and rose again from the dead. And they acknowledge that He came to redeem lost sinners. 

But 'saving faith' goes beyond that. 

Conceding that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has credibility is not enough. It must be embraced to the end that one's life is completely surrendered to it. 

We are cautioned to ... Examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5) 

There are three steps ...

1. You must be willing to listen to the message concerning Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice; a revelation of the Lord's plan of salvation ... So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) 

2. You must agree that the message is true ... Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

3. You must commit and yield to the message ... Give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes. (Romans 6:13)

If you've experienced steps 1 and 2 but have not taken the final step, you are among those who merely have 'head knowledge' ... These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. (Isaiah 29:13)

'Saving faith' is always evidenced by a transformed life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When you hear the truth, agree that it is trustworthy, and completely give yourself to it ... only then do you become a child of God.