Saving Faith

“Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’” Luke 7:48-50

To those who clearly recognize the lost state of their heart and who feel the weight of their burden of sin, nothing could give so much freedom and peace as these words that Jesus speaks here to the repentant sinner. It is certain that anyone who is still held in the grip of sin can hear such words if they only come to the Savior with the same humility and faith as this woman did.

It was not her tears, although they flowed so abundantly that they wetted the Lord’s feet, that brought her the forgiveness of her sins. Her humility and sincere repentance were clearly visible. But Jesus said to her: “Your faith has saved you.” Humility and tears are certainly evidence of a sincere soul, but faith alone can help and save. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Faith in Christ

It is not enough for us to believe in God. We must also believe in Christ and acknowledge Him as our Savior. This is the only way that God has created for our salvation. “You believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1), says Jesus. (Please also read John 8:24 and 1 John 5:1). In Jesus’ name and through faith in His name alone can the soul be saved. Every individual and every class of people who reject and doubt Christ as the Son of God are also rejecting their only hope of salvation from sin. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Dead faith

Hebrews 10:39 speaks of people “who believe to the saving of the soul.” A faith that does not bring us into a close spiritual relationship with God has no value. Someone may have a dead or even a historical faith, but such is a faith that is based purely on knowledge, not one that brings them to be obedient to God. That is a dead faith. “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20). James further says that even the demons believe in God and tremble (verse 19). In Mark 1:24, we also read that the demons and unclean spirits acknowledge Jesus as the Holy One of God.

We can also believe that there is a true God, just as the Jews did. We can believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, just as the demons do, yet we can still be eternally lost.

However, historical faith is also necessary in a certain sense. “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). No one would seek God or make efforts to be saved as long as they still doubted His existence or His power to save.

Faith comes from hearing

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?…So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14, 17). When sinners are shaken up and recognize their lost state, when they can see that they cannot stand before God like this, they initially find no peace for their soul. Their heart does not become still. But they hear and believe that Christ has come to set them free. They sorrow over their sins, repent, and can then believe that God forgives their sins for Christ’s sake. Only then is Christ brought to them through true, life-giving faith.

Through the gospel, people not only hear about Christ but are also reminded of their duty to forsake sin and fulfill the requirements of God’s Word. When they recognize and do this, their faith grows and comes alive. Only through this faith, which has led them to obedience, do they receive forgiveness of sins and, in the end, eternal salvation as long as they abide with the Lord.

We must accept Jesus

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). These words show us that we need to do more than just acknowledge Christ as the Savior of the world. We must accept Him as our personal Savior. We must believe that through His sacrificial death, the guilt of our sin has also been atoned for. We must believe in His grace, which forgives our transgressions. If living faith dwells in someone’s heart, they not only know that Christ is the Son of God, but also that He has become their personal Savior.

What is faith?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The Apostle describes here the living faith that brings us into intimate contact with our heavenly Father and allows us to enjoy His blessings. This faith is truly a firm assurance. The forgiveness of our sins depends on our faith. Faith is a firm conviction and expectation that God will fulfill all the promises He has made to us through Christ. Faith is the soul’s sure and full consent to the divine plan of salvation. Faith agrees with the promises of God and waits to receive them. Faith helps the seeking soul. And even though we cannot see what we are struggling for, God’s grace and blessings are granted to us. There will then be no doubt in our souls that God has heard our prayers and forgiven our sins. We only need to take God at His word!

W.S.