Happy Tuesday

THE FAITH THAT SAVES By Pastor Paul Hume

Scripture Reading: Mark 11:22; Gal. 2:20;  Heb.12:1-2


It has been truly said that Satan has a counterfeit for almost everything that God does (except to give Life). The Apostle Paul speaks of "another gospel" (2 Cor.11:4a; Gal 1:6,9), "another Jesus" (2 Cor. 11:4b: much of Christendom today worships this "Jesus!"), "another spirit" (2 Cor. 11:4c: how prevalent is this "spirit" now); "false apostles of Christ"( 2 Cor. 11:13: witness the Mormons and their chief apostle, Joseph Smith!), and "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11: 15: how many priests and ministers fall into this category today!).

Obviously, therefore, there must be a counterfeit faith. We know there are many false "faiths" today ..the apostate Protestant "faith," the Roman Catholic "faith," and the Jehovah's Witnesses "faith" (and the like). Yes, many of the people involved in these false systems have "faith." I heard a liberal preacher on the radio only yesterday broadcasting from a popular church which is only four blocks from our church and exhorting his hearers that the way to keep one's life from being empty is to "have faith in God." This sounds real good. It even sounds Biblical!'

Did not our Lord exhort his wondering disciples in Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God?" But a more accurate rendering of this command makes the meaning clearer: "Hold to the faith of God!" True; saving faith is not naturally generated. All of us have a "natural faith:" e..g., we believe that the cooks in the restaurant where we are eating haven't put poison in our food; we trust the car in which we ride; we believe what history tells us about out great country, and etc. But the kind of faith which our Lord speaks of is identical to that which Paul speaks of: "...justified by the faith of Christ" (Gal. 2:16); "...I live by (or in) the faith of the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20); "...boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him" (Eph. 3:12).

We have a blessed truth in Hebrews 12:2: "Look away (from all else) unto Jesus, the Author (that is, the Originator) and Finisher (that is, the Completer) of faith." True, saving faith comes from God in Christ Jesus. This faith saves. This faith sanctifies. This faith sustains. This faith pleases God. Does this faith operate in you?