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August, 2003
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Faith and Saving Faith #263
There are many different kinds of faith. For example, we believe if we only have enough faith everything will turn out all right. This is faith in faith.Then there is faith in ourselves. Some believe, falsely to be sure, they can live the kind of life which will earn them a place in heaven. "But we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works" (Romans 3:28). The Bible is very clear on this. I'll mention the place of works in a moment. There is also a faith to work miracles. But this kind of faith is no guarantee of heaven. Jesus sent Judas Iscariot out to preach and work miracles. But Judas was the arch reprobate. There is a temporary faith. It looks like real saving faith. Jesus describes this kind of faith in the parable of the soils. "This is the man who hears the Word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction comes because of the word, immediately he falls away" (Matthew 13:20-21). What about faith that claims the heavenly reward? Three things can be said about this faith. First, it is a gift of God. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" not as a result of works that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Second, it is faith in a person, Jesus Christ. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved" (Acts 16:31). Third, it is faith that displays itself through actions. "I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18). Works are never the basis of salvation. But good deeds are a manifestation of the presence of faith.
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