The Bible is full of examples of individuals who believe in Christ as Savior, but are, in fact, not saved.
The dialogue of Jesus with the Pharisees and other Jews in John Chapter 8 illustrates well that there is a “faith” which does not save. John 8:30 states, “many believed on him.” However, these “believers” are undeniably identified by Jesus as “children of the devil” (Jn. 8:44). What were the distinguishing marks of their so-called “faith” in Christ?
Jesus identifies their problems. He said “If you continue in my word, then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:31–32). Jesus also revealed to the Jews that their fait h was not the kind of faith which evidences itself in doing the works of God—a faith exemplified in the life of the father of the faithful, Abraham (Jn. 8:33–41). Their lack of a true and saving faith was evidenced by the works which their “faith” produced—“ye do the works of your father . . . ye are of your father the devil” (Jn. 8:41, 44).
There are many other Scriptures which depict a faith in Christ which does not save (see, for example, Jn. 12:42; Jn. 9:22 and Luke 14:25–35). This Scriptural evidence must tum our attention then to the question: What is Saving Faith?
To begin with, there are some things which we may identify as that which saving faith is not. First of all, faith is not simply the “assent to the facts” of the Gospel message. Faith is far more than a mere matter of the intellect. It deals with whole persons.
Secondly, faith is not just “a matter of the heart and not of the head.” Faith encompasses the whole person and does not simply address the “heart” of man, that is, only his will. It addresses the heart of man when that word is taken in its biblical usage to denote “the whole being of man.” This obviously includes the intellect and emotions as well as the will.
Thirdly, and in quite a practical sense, faith is not separated from godly, or holy living. The church today is full of individuals who have claimed to be saved. They are on the membership role and perhaps even teach in the Sunday School programs of the church but are, in fact, a people bound for eternal punishment in hell. These are the ones who claim to have “accepted Christ” in the past but are not “living for the Lord” at present. While it is true that some true believers do backslide, it is not true that there can be a saving faith which does not promote holy living. The faith that saves cannot be separated from holy living. Yet we have a great many who show little interest in spiritual things and who are genuinely offended at any guidance of their spiritual life by the pastor or others who counsel them from God’s Word. This attitude defies the Word of God which instructs us to “obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves” (Heb. 13:17). This self–righteous attitude characterizes many individuals who do not have a true and saving faith.
This sinful attitude is further evidenced by an individual’s lack of participation in the worship of God with the local assembly. Let us ask you: Have you been caring for your spiritual life? Do you worship God regularly? Is the serious study of Scripture your delight? How long has it been since you came to church to worship God and to learn of Him by the Word and Spirit? Is it really impossible for you to come to worship at least once a week, or is it true that you simply do not want to? Do you realize that you may not be saved? If you have neglected your spiritual life, it may be that you are not saved even though you think you are! Your neglect of your own spiritual nurture may indicate that you lack the kind of faith that truly saves.
The faith that truly saves is not some well-guarded mystical secret, but it is a truth clearly revealed in God’s Word. What we believe concerning the nature of saving faith must be derived from Scripture and not from our own opinions.
The Scripture, first of all, consider faith to be a matter of knowledge. We must know something of God, Jesus Christ, and the facts of the Gospel – “He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Scripture does not tell us to believe without telling us what to believe. “I know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (Jn. 17:3). “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12).
Secondly, saving faith must bring conviction in the life of the individual. Faith is not simply a matter for the person’s intellect. Saving faith must include the conviction or persuasion that the Gospel alone meets one’s need as a sinner in the sight of God. The Gospel message also brings conviction of sin to the heart of the sinner, because it speaks of the depravity of man’s nature, his inclination to sin, and his personal penalty for sin death. The Gospel message is to sinners. Faith’s conviction knows the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His perfect redemptive sacrifice for sin as the only hope for one’s lost condition. Man must, therefore, believe (that is, be convinced of the truth) that Jesus Christ died to save sinners. “If you con fess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
Thirdly, saving faith must include trust, or confidence, in the person of Jesus Christ. A knowledge of the facts of the Gospel will bring a personal conviction of its unique answer of the sinner. This conviction must bring one to personally trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (This involves an act of commitment). In this way there is an interrelatedness of the three elements: knowledge, conviction and trust. This trust, or firm confidence, is the commitment of one’s self to the person of Jesus Christ alone for salvation in which the saving merit of Christ is applied to man by God’s grace. We are directed by Scripture to trust in Christ (that is, to rest in Him alone) to be saved from sin. “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 16:31). Faith directs our commitment to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, in order to be saved. Saving faith is not a “leap in the dark” but it is a “firm conviction of our hope” (Heb. 11:1), which the Holy Spirit reveals in one’s heart by the Gospel message. The Gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes” (Rom. 1:16).
To the person who knows, is convinced of, and trusts solely in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, it is ridiculous to suggest that one may neglect the public worship of God and the private study of Holy Scripture. Such actions by the great numbers of people calling themselves “saved” betray their lack of spiritual understanding or their lack of saving faith. These profess themselves to be wise, but they are fools (see Rom. 1:22).
It is to the deluded and misled ones that “believe” in Christ and profess “salvation” that this message is directed. Saving faith is more than repeating the formulas or the correct words or prayers. Scripture plainly states, “Faith manifests itself in obedience” (See Rom. 15:18, 16:26). “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). The Word of God firmly attests to the fact that saving faith manifests itself in obedience to Christ and his commandments. The opposite is true as well. The faith that does not save manifests itself in disobedience, such as in the areas of the lack of attendance at public worship and negligence in personal prayer and the study of God’s Word.
Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). The neglect of keeping Christ’s commandments is disobedience. Have you been faithful in your attendance at public worship? God’s Word says, “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing” (Heb. 10:25). Have you been faithfully building your faith by prayer and the study of God’s Word? God has stated, “Pray without ceasing” (I Thes. 5:17). “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). God’s Word gives us guidance for every area of our lives. Do you know where you are “going”?
There are many that are deceived concerning the matter of saving faith. Of these that are deluded by false impressions of faith, Christ said, “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name done many wonderful works?’” (Mat. 7:22). Similarly, we suggest it may be also said, “Did we not ‘accept’ you into our lives? Did we not join a Bible-believing Church? Did we not have the Gospel message?”
Christ’s answer comes to them: “Then I will profess to them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat. 7:23). However, such is not the case of those who in genuine faith will manifest itself in one’s desire to do the will ofGod (See Mat. 7:12 – “he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”). The remedy for those who have been deluded and are presently disobedient is Christ and His saving merit alone. Mat. 1:21 states, “thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Christ is the Savior from sin. Those who are disobedient and who are otherwise deceived must come to Christ. You must repent of your sins (Acts 17:30) and trust in Christ alone for redemption from your sin and its guilt.
When Christ says an individual, that person is no longer deluded but he is free. “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Have you been set free?
Do you have the faith that saves, or are you deluded?
Stephan R. Van Eck, one of our readers, who sent us this pamphlet, grew up in the Reformed Church ofAmerica and in the Christian Reformed Church in which his father was an elder. He graduated from William Tyndale College (formerly Detroit Bible College) and Westminster Theological Seminary. He served as Assistant Pastor in a Bible Fellowship Church at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and is now pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church at Denville, New Jersey. Copies of this pamphlet may be obtained from him, complimentary by writing for them to 25 Florence Ave., Denville, N.J. 07834.