What is this thing called faith that saves us?

Salvation by faith is a primary theme within Christianity, coming from the teachings of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.

(Ephesians 2:8-9)¹NIV New International Version Translations – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

How did you get your faith? You are asked to believe in that which cannot be seen. Yet those who profess our faith in Jesus do so gladly, with joy and the hope of His resurrection. The core message of Paul’s teachings is that salvation is a gift from God and is not earned through human efforts or adherence to the Jewish law (the Mosaic Law). Instead, Paul emphasized that individuals are justified (made right with God) by their faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. This means that our salvation was obtained by establishing a personal relationship with Jesus and trusting in His redemptive work, rather than through observing rituals, laws, or performing good deeds. Somehow, those of faith have come to trust in the teachings, doctrines, and principles found in the Bible. Two important questions we should be asking are: (1) How did we get the faith we have that God and Jesus are real? And (2) How can we pass (share) our faith and joy with others?

(Psalm 19:1-4) – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

The Apostle Paul told the people in Lystra that God has left a witness of Himself to everyone in the world. The Bible says that God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been seen since the creation of His world. God also revealed Himself to us in a far greater and more personal way: by coming down from heaven and walking among us in the person of Jesus Christ. God’s visibility is universal, established by both natural and supernatural laws. Seeing God’s existence is common sense: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (Hebrews 3:4). We should have no excuse. Excuses come from politicians and governments!

Years of studies and statistics have shown that two-thirds of Christians came to faith before the age of 18. An amazing 43% came to Christ before the age of 12. ²https://ministry-to-children.com/childrens-ministry-statistics/. Some statistics even say that over ninety percent of people established their concept of faith by 18³https://amotherfarfromhome.com/94-of-christians-were-saved-before-18-years-of-age/. It seems that as adults, we have a problem! Adults today have a general lack of spiritual needs. Many adults are blind to their sinfulness and separation from God. More of their time is spent pursuing today’s world than thinking about whether eternity is even real. Governments, consumerism, and media are all busy convincing us that this world can supply our needs. And sin? The world is busy redefining God’s Truth as nothing more than an assault on our human rights. Too many adults are content with Christ, but only on their terms.

History tells us that faith, whether in God or in freedom itself, is nurtured through exposure to teachings, doctrines, and education. Learning about the beliefs and experiences of others can inspire faith and influence one’s perspective. When individuals have positive or transformative experiences, especially as children, their faith is strengthened. This fact alone demonstrates why there is such an effort to remove God from educational systems. Since faith is a relationship, faith is best passed on by strong relationships with faith-filled people. Religion for youth is not about controlling children through guilt and shame. The children we raise must eventually live in the world. Fear has no place; faith should empower them to live in it. Children must see their parents draw joy from their faith and never be discouraged from receiving truthful answers to any of their questions. How a parent behaves in their faith is more important than what they tell their children about their faith.

One’s environment is the best place to foster and reinforce faith. Being part of a community that shares similar beliefs, encouragement, acceptance, and support can strengthen one’s faith in God. Engaging in respectful and open discussions about faith can create opportunities for individuals to explore their beliefs and learn from one another. Transformative experiences can lead individuals to develop faith in God while overcoming challenges or difficult situations with the help of faithful people can reinforce one’s belief in God. Faith can fulfill emotional and spiritual needs, providing a sense of hope, comfort, and purpose. Faith in governments, however, is just folly!

(1 Peter 3:15) – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

If the Apostle Paul is considered one bookend to salvation by faith, the Apostle Peter is the other bookend. Peter identified the critical element of personal faith; it is that sharing one’s faith and witnessing what belief in Jesus has done for one person’s life is an effective way for faith to grow in others. We are not talking about TikTok influencers here. When individuals share personal stories of their faith journeys, transformative experiences, or the impact of faith on their own lives, it can inspire and influence others to explore and embrace similar beliefs or convictions. This reinforces the importance of intimate relationships with family members and friends who have strong faith and can influence others to consider and adopt similar beliefs. Contemplation of life’s meaning, purpose, and larger existential questions can prompt individuals to seek answers and find solace in faith. This is a healthy process that people of all ages benefit from.

Conclusion

Sometimes, faith in God and Jesus will involve taking a “leap of faith,” deciding, or acting based on trust and intuition rather than a predominance of concrete evidence. This will be true in many aspects of life, not just religious beliefs. One might begin by having faith in oneself, believing in one’s capabilities, strengths, and potential to achieve goals and overcome challenges. If you are an optimist, you are forced to have faith in humanity. It has been around for a long time, as long as God Himself. This type of faith is about holding a positive view, trusting that some people are inherently good and that cooperation and compassion can exist in society and overcome evil. Faith in God can be a powerful and influential force in shaping one’s beliefs, attitudes, and actions. It can provide comfort and support during difficult times, inspire hope, and guide individuals in their decision-making processes. But know this for sure, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved“ (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Faith that saves!

Contemplations

• Do you know how you became a faith-filled person?
  • Ideas to Explore: Have you written down your testimony for your family and friends? Can you share your faith with others?
• Are there people, family, neighbors, or events that come to mind where your faith in God and Jesus seem to come together?
  • Ideas to Explore: Who are the people in your life who shared their faith with you? How did you respond?
• Some people have had a Damascus Experience, where God chose to make His presence in their life through a major traumatic event. How do these events manifest themselves into faith?
  • Ideas to Explore: Hope gives us faith. Being close to the reality of God gives us faith. A gracious and open heart lets faith in.
• Do you get joy from your faith?
  • Ideas to Explore: Faith should bring joy, not fear. If there is fear, who put it there?
• What are the dangers of creating a world dependent upon government?
  • Ideas to Explore: All who have tried before, have failed. Government is about power and the loss of freedom. Free will is destroyed.
• What would you call a government without God?
  • Ideas to Explore: Communism, Totalitarianism, add your favorite names.