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...​

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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.

 

[for_his_glory]

Romans 3:22 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:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The faith of Christ, (KJV - John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9), is where we find faith in Christ. The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

 

[NewLifeInChrist]

Romans 3:22 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:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The faith of Christ, (KJV - John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9), is where we find faith in Christ. The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

This is not the first time I have come across the concept of "the faith of Christ". Do you mind telling me in what circles this concept is fully embraced? Is it related to the teachings of Watchman Nee, or someone else?

 

[for_his_glory]

It's

This is not the first time I have come across the concept of "the faith of Christ". Do you mind telling me in what circles this concept is fully embraced? Is it related to the teachings of Watchman Nee, or someone else?

This is not a man made doctrine as this is found in what has already been written in the word of God as I gave the scriptures for this. If we do not have that same faith that Jesus had in the Father then how would we ever know how faith (Jesus) works in us.

 

[NewLifeInChrist]

This is not a man made doctrine as this is found in what has already been written in the word of God as I gave the scriptures for this. If we do not have that same faith that Jesus had in the Father then how would we ever know how faith (Jesus) works in us.

I know it's wording from the KJV translation of the NT. I'll take your answer to mean that it is popular among those who prefer the KJV above other translations.

 

[for_his_glory]

I know it's wording from the KJV translation of the NT. I'll take your answer to mean that it is popular among those who prefer the KJV above other translations.

I personally use the KJV, but yet many others use various translations, but if we are allowing the Holy Spirit teach us then we will have all truths.