The Faith That Saves

by Micky Galloway

James asks the questions, “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?” (James 2:14). James teaches that it is the “doer” and not the “hearer only” who will be blessed (James 1:22-25). Martin Luther, perplexed by James’ emphasis on works, considered the epistle with contempt, calling it “a right strawy one.” Luther along with many others had trouble reconciling James with what they think Paul teaches (Ephesians 2:8-9). James does not deny the efficacy of faith, but asks, “Can the kind of faith that has no works save him?” The asking of the question suggests there are different kinds of faith just as surely as Ephesians 2 suggests different kinds of works. The scriptures identify “great faith” (Matthew 8:10); faith as a “mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20); “little faith” (Matthew 6:30; 8:20; 14:31; Luke 12:28); a “work of faith” (I Thessalonians 1:3); and the kind of faith that saves in James 2 as an active, obedient faith. Though James briefly offers the illustrations of Abraham and Rahab as examples of saving faith, the Hebrew writer offers a more elaborate discussion of Abraham’s faith as well as a host of Old Testament worthies. In fact Hebrews 11 stands as the great chapter on the faith that saves.

Description Of The Faith That Saves

“Now faith is assurance (substance - KJV) of (things) hoped for, a conviction (evidence - KJV) of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The word “hupostasis” “assurance” (ASV), literally refers to something that stands under, or of a foundation or substructure of a building. It is used here of that upon which our hope rests. From this we derive a sense of “confidence” or “assurance.” The word “elenchos” “conviction” (ASV), is a legal term and refers to an argument of disproof or refutation. It too, becomes the basis on which a person is convicted and therefore most translations translate the word with “evidence” or “conviction.” Faith is that which undergirds our hopes, but is not without evidence (cf. Romans 1:20). Paul further said, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Therefore, faith is the full assurance and inner conviction produced by overwhelming evidence that gives men the power to stake their lives on the unseen realities God has promised. This is simply illustrated in our faith that the worlds were created by the word of God. From whence did we obtain such faith? Not by dreaming about it, but by reading in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Examples Of The Faith That Saves

“By faith Abel...” Abel heard what God said and obeyed. He received God’s approval when he offered the blood of the lamb and that meant in God’s sight he was righteous (Cf. Genesis 4:4; Matthew 23:35; I John 3:12). Though Abel died, his faith continues to speak, teaching us how to be righteous.

“By faith Enoch...” We know very little of Enoch. The Old Testament record is limited to Genesis 5:21-24. His life is summed up in the words, “Enoch walked with God.” Enoch’s life was characterized as one who pleased God by humble obedience. The author inserts this conclusion, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11: 6). The Lord rewards or saves those who have the kind of faith Enoch had.

“By faith Noah...” His faith is a remarkable illustration of saving faith. “Being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet,” Noah, “did all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22; 7:5). Noah’s saving faith is set in contrast with the unbelief that condemned the world. Noah became righteous through his obedience to God by preparing the ark.

“By faith Abraham...” Abraham’s faith became a classic illustration of saving faith among the Jews (See Genesis 15:6; Nehemiah 9:7-8). The New Testament often refers to the saving faith of Abraham (Romans 4; Galatians 3; James 2:21-23). It is noteworthy that Abraham’s faith was not a one time demonstration, but characteristic of his life. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). As God initially made promises to Abraham, “he believed in Jehovah and He reckoned it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Later when he was promised a son, Abraham “without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead ... yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:19-22). Sarah herself also believed God.

When the promised child became a lad, God said, “Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). What a test of saving faith! Yet, once again “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). The Hebrew writer emphasizing the saving faith of Abraham said, “By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten (son)…” (Hebrews 11:17-19). Abraham was willingly obeying God because he believed what God had promised. He instructed the young men who accompanied him, as they neared the place of sacrifice, “Abide ye here ... I and the lad will go yonder and we will worship, and come again to you” (Genesis 22:5). Abraham reasoned that God would raise the dead, that somehow both of them would return from the mountain because God would not allow any part of His word to fail. Thus, he drew back the knife to slay his only son. With all the trials of sojourning in a foreign land, Abraham continued to look “for a city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). He moved with conviction toward things not seen because God, who cannot lie, had promised. Therefore, God “was not ashamed to be called his God.” Beloved, this is saving faith!

“By faith Isaac … Jacob … and Joseph …” After realizing he had been tricked into bestowing the blessing on Jacob instead of Esau, Isaac would not change the blessing. He apparently realized that God’s providence had been involved in extending His promise through the younger son. Jacob purposefully blessed Joseph’s younger son Ephraim (Genesis 48:29-31), according to God’s promise. Joseph referred to the land promise before his death and gave instructions for his burial. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob” (Genesis 50:24). All these moved with conviction toward things not seen because they believed what God promised.

“By faith Moses …” The faith of Moses’ parents is included here. When they saw that “he was a goodly child … they were not afraid of the kings’ commandment to cast the male children into the river.” Therefore they hid him for three months (Cf. Exodus 1:22; 2:1; Acts 7:20). Moses at the mature age of forty, chose to identify himself with the despised people of God rather “than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Why? He accounted “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked unto the recompense of reward.” As Moses forsook Egypt, kept the passover, and passed through the Red sea, he continued to be motivated by the promise of God. Moses subjected himself to hardship and moved with conviction toward things not seen because he too believed what God had promised.

“By faith … Jericho … Rahab…Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets …” Like the Hebrew writer, we are restricted by time and space to be able to discuss the saving faith of all of these worthy examples. Many of these subjected themselves to things seemingly unreasonable, to torture, bonds, accepting cruel punishment, and even agonizing death rather than to renounce their faith. These were cast out of the world as if they were not worthy to live in it, yet the world was unworthy of them. These Hebrews who are addressed must understand that those who “live by faith” have no assurance of comfort in this world.

As great as these examples of faith are, we must be impressed with the writer’s statements in verses 39-40, “And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise (singular, mg), God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” This was already said of the patriarchs (verse 13), who “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…” They died before the realities of the great nation of Israel or the land promise was fulfilled. Others were privileged to be a part of the great nation and to live in the promised land; they “obtained promises” (verse 33). Though they lived and died in faith, that of which their faith assured them did not come in their lifetime. “They received not the promise.” Theirs was a time of anticipation, a time of waiting for the coming of Christ. Though all of God’s faithful servants possess together the benefits of Christ’s coming (Hebrews 9:15), the saving work of Christ was not in their time. “Better things,” better covenant, forgiveness of sins, a better hope, etc., are found in Christ.

Saving faith, therefore, is illustrated in those who will surrender all in obedience (verse 2). If our faith is to bring us to the forgiveness of our sins, to the salvation of our souls, and finally bring us through our journey to everlasting life, it must cause us to act on the same principles as they did. Initial faith that Jesus is the Christ, repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ is only the beginning. We must be prompted by the same conviction to live a new life, to walk with God. Will you not continue to seize the precious hope, the strong confiding hope of the man of faith, by your continued obedience? The faith that saves is the faith that obeys. Man must exercise faith and faith must exercise the man. No man was ever blessed on account of “faith alone.” The faith that saves will stand when the storms and trials of judgment come and bring us safely to heaven’s shore.