Biblical Salvation

Most people will say they believe in God. Some will even say they have faith in God but when probing further they cannot be specific about what their faith contains other than it is faith in God. Is this simply a statement saying they believe there is a God and reason that because they believe in God they automatically have salvation?

The Biblical term for saving faith in the Bible is not simply believing in God for in James 2:19 it says "You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too! And they shake with fear."

Just because someone believes in God is not grounds for salvation because even the demons believe in God. For example: Believing that God is the creator, does not bring salvation. Being saved doesn't happen just because we believe in God.

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Notice this carefully. It doesn't say we are saved 'by our faith', but we are saved by 'grace' through the agency of faith. If someone says they are saved by faith, this is not Biblical and a direct contradiction of Ephesians 2:8. We are not saved by our faith. We are saved by Grace, though faith.

What is the grace?

God has given everyone what the Bible calls common grace. He did this way back with Adam and Eve. God said if they partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would die. The second they ate they died spiritually and were cast out of the garden of Eden and fellowship with God. God's common grace allowed them to live physically until their bodies expired. Through God's common grace He gave them the things which were necessary for them to live until their physical death. An example of this is found in Matthew 5:45 where it says God makes His sun to rise and sends rain on both the evil and the good, the just and the unjust. This type of God's grace is evident in the world and benefits both the saved and the unsaved.

The only reason we have been allowed by God to be born into this world is because of His common grace extended to all, believers and unbelievers alike. But this is not His grace which saves us.

So, What is saving Grace?

Saving Grace is totally and completely wrapped up in Jesus Christ. We are saved because of Jesus Christ. However, just because we believe something about Jesus does not mean we have Biblical salvation the same way as what was stated about the demons believing in God. Just because the demons believe something about God did not mean they are saved. Just because we believe something about Jesus Christ does not mean we are saved.

To experience God's saving grace one must be regenerated which is the Biblical term for being born again. This regeneration is done solely by God and not by us. We cannot make ourselves be born again any more than we made ourselves be conceived in the womb of our mothers and created our own physical birth. God's sovereign grace by the Holy Spirit in regeneration is what takes us out of Adam and placed into Jesus Christ (John 3:5-8, John 6:62-65). When this happens by the sovereign power of God through the Holy Spirit our identity changes. We have salvation because God regenerated us (made us born again) by His power and will, not by our power or will as is shown in John 1:13.

If you have a burning desire to search after God, it is only because you have been given a new nature through being born again by His will and power. You have been predestined by God to receive an inheritance through Jesus Christ.

(Eph 1:2 KJV) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

This is what grace is, so what is the 'through faith' part?

Have you ever heard anyone say, Oh, just have faith? Or, if you are sick have people tell you that if you have 'enough' faith God will heal you? We are exhorted time and time again to have faith in our faith, faith in our prayers, faith in our whatever. As though our faith is what saves us. But is it really our faith?

I don't know about you but I know myself and if my salvation depends upon my faith then I am in and out of salvation a lot, because my faith often fails me. But this can't be if we are promised that our salvation is eternal. Eternal means eternal, not temporary or 'in and out'.

We are saved by grace through faith, but Ephesians 2:8 passage doesn't say whose faith we go through. Is it through our faith, or the faith of Jesus Christ?

(Rom 3:19 KJV) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Most modern translations have changed 'by faith of Jesus Christ' to 'by faith in Jesus Christ (implying it is our faith).' Big difference here. The Greek reads DIA PISTEOS IESOU CHRISTOU, literally - through (by means of, by) faith of Jesus Christ.

There are many passage which seem to indicate 'by faith of Jesus Christ' is the correct translation. Many passages show our salvation is eternal and not a temporary 'in and out' deal. The only way a person can have eternal security is if they know their salvation is by grace through Christ's faith and not their own feeble, faith.

There are passages which do talk about our faith such as (Luke 22:31 KJV) "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." The reason Peter's faith didn't fail even though he denied the Lord was because of the prayers and faith of Jesus Christ. Notice this passages doesn't say "if" you are converted, but "when". Jesus knew Peter would be brought through his ordeal because God always answers Jesus' prayers.

Jesus is our High Priest who prays for us, also, the Holy Spirit prays for us as is shown in Romans 8:26-30. The faith we have is not faith in our faith, or faith in our prayers, or faith in our works, it is to be in the faith of Jesus Christ which is His gift to us.

Below is a list of some of these passages. By studying them you will grow in your knowledge of Christ which will give you assurance and security.

Psalms 37:23,24
John 6:37-39
John 10:26-30
Romans 8:1,38,39
Romans 9
1 Corinthians 1:8-10
2 Timothy 1:12
2 Timothy 2:13
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Hebrews 2:17,18
1 Peter 1:1-5
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 4:30
1 John 5:11-13
Jude 1
Jude 23
Philippians 1:6

(Eph 2:4-10 KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.