Saving Faith
From: Bible Readings for the Home Circle 1890

What is the Bible’s definition of faith?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

NOTE– “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. By hearing or reading the  word of God, the sinner receives evidence by which, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, he believes in the promises of God. Having this, he is enabled to go to God believing that he does exist,and that he will hear the cry of the penitent. But after coming to God and confessing his sins, with a petition for pardon in the name of Jesus Christ, the sinner may then know that his sins are forgiven, simply upon the evidence of his own faith in the promises, regardless of surrounding circumstances.

When coming to God, how much must we believe concerning him?
“But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

How may we know that God exists?
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament his handiwork.” Psalms 19:1 (Also, Romans 1:19, 20)

How may we have faith in him?
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

NOTE– Our faith in what God will do for us must be circumscribed by what we learn from God’s word concerning that point. No one can confidently look for that which God has never promised. To expect that God will do that which is desired is only presumption, unless a promise has been given to that effect. Faith is distinct from presumption. To have abiding confidence in the promise of God is faith; but presumption may rest entirely on feeling, or desire. Feeling cannot therefore be relied on in the matter of faith. Faith is a pure belief of, and a confiding trust in, the promises of God, even though one’s feelings do not ascent to it. This perfect trust enables one to surmount difficulties under the most trying circumstances, even when the feelings are nearly crushed. Among many notable cases, that of Abraham in offering up Isaac at God’s command, may be cited as one wherein his faith called him to do contrary to what his feelings would dictate.

Are the promises of God of any value to those who do not believe them?
“I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Jude 5
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;” Hebrews 3:14

In whom must we believe in order to be saved?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

When we believe on the Son of God, what evidence do we have that our sins are forgiven?
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he beliveth not the record that God gave of his Son.” 1 John 5:10

What is the nature of this witness?
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16

When we have this witness, what does it do for us?
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

NOTE– It is plain from these texts that the evidences of our acceptance with God do not precede, but follow, faith in the promises of God. No matter what our feelings are to start with, it is our duty, after fulfilling the conditions of acceptance, to believe that God has forgiven our past wrongs; and though we may not have a happy feeling immediately, we should still trust that God has fulfilled his agreement.

Upon what conditions has God promised the forgiveness of sin?
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7,9

Does the Bible warrant one in believing that he receives what he asks for, before he is conscious of possessing it?
“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

NOTE– If one were owing a debt, the obligation of which he could not meet, and should in his anxiety                           concerning it, receive from a trusted friend, a promise of the amount necessary to meet the obligation when it               came due, the promise itself would bring peace of mind, even though no money were given him at the time of               asking the favor. This is the principle on which one must learn to trust God, in order to have that peace that                   passeth all understanding. (Philippians 4:6,7)

How may one learn to develop patience in waiting on God?
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2,3 (Also, 1 Peter 1:3-9)

When in affliction, what out all to believe?
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. . .” Romans 8:28

What kind of faith is that which is unaccompanied with works?
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

If one knows that he is constantly disobeying God, can he have real living faith?
“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3: 21,22

How much may one hope to receive, who asks with a doubtful mind?
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:6,7

What was the cause of Peter’s sinking after he had started to meet the Saviour on the stormy sea?
“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31

What may one constantly have, by growing into the fullness of faith?
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13

NOTE– Faith may be strengthened by daily exercise. It is not some great thing, done once for all, that gives an             individual faith; but an everyday, simple, child-like trust in God, and an implicit obedience to his word. Some               make it a more difficult matter than God would have them, because they try to embrace too much at one time.             They take on the burdens of tomorrow or next week, when the Lord only supplies strength for today. When                   tomorrow comes, grapple with its duties, but not until it does come. All should remember the precious promise,           “. . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25

Away, my unbelieving fear!
Fear shall in me no more have place:
My Savior doth not yet appear,
He hides the brightness of his face;
But shall I therefore let him go
And basely to the tempter yield?
No, in strength of Jesus, no;
I never will give up my shield.

Although the vine its fruit deny,
Although the olive yield no oil,
The withering fig trees droop and die,
The fields elude the tiller’s toil,
The empty stall no herd afford,
And perish all the bleating race;
Yet I will triumph in the Lord,
The God of my salvation praise.

Barren although my soul remain,
And not one bud of grace appear
No fruit of all my toil and pain,
But sin and only sin is here;
Although my gifts and comforts lost,
My blooming hopes cut off I see,
Yet will I in my Saviour trust,
And glory that he died for me.
–Charles Wesley