Salvation Basics - Saving Faith

[NewLifeInChrist]

Scripture says...

4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest...​

​

9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.​

11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:1-3, 9-13)​

Is it possible to hear the gospel and not be saved by it?
Yes. Hearing the gospel is not enough. Hearing the gospel must be accompanied by trust in the gospel to be profitable. God decided on His own, without any counsel from man, that He would save those who believe the seemingly foolish message that Jesus died on the cross for their sins (1 Cor 1:21).

Are works required or is it faith alone?
Faith is demonstrated to be "saving faith" when a person ceases from his works and enters His rest. By definition, if a person is resting all his weight on Christ, he is not working hard to gain or maintain his salvation. The converse is also true. If a person is working hard to gain or maintain his salvation, he is not resting all his weight on Christ.

Who's point of view counts?
God's point of view is the only one that counts. He rightly discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart, and all things are naked and open to His eyes. He knows for sure whether or not a person has placed all his trust in Christ and has ceased from his works. That's why we must be dilligent to not just hear the gospel, but we must be dilligent to trust the gospel to the extent that we cease from our works and enter His rest. And He knows the truth of the matter.