What Faith Means to Me

What Faith Means to Me

Guide 19

While translating the New Testament into one of the vernaculars of the New Hebrides, John G. Paton was having a hard time finding a native word meaning "faith" or "belief." Inasmuch as these words appear frequently in the New Testament, he was perplexed.

Then one day while Dr. Paton was at work in his study, he heard a knock at the door. It was one of his native evangelists, who had been on a long preaching tour through the mountains.

Dr. Paton asked the evangelist to come in and sit down. Seating himself upon one chair, and supporting his weary feet upon another, he began his conversation by using a word which in the vernacular meant "I am resting my whole weight upon these chairs." "Resting my whole weight upon" — one word expressed all that. Immediately the scholar had the very word he had been searching for so long. "Faith," or "belief," is "resting one's whole weight upon God."

Try it with Acts 16:31: "Rest your whole weight upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved!"

1. CAN I BE SAVED BY MY GOOD WORKS?

Some feel they must punish their bodies for the sins that weigh them down with guilt. Somehow, they feel that merit toward salvation can be obtained by self-inflicted pain.

A young man who was addicted to swearing seared the end of his tongue with a hot iron. He believed this act would in some way atone for his sin. Another decided that, since his feet led him into places where he should not go, he might atone for his sins by walking with dry peas in his shoes for days at a time. All ideas of self-punishment as a means of sanctification have their origin in pagan superstitions still prevalent in some parts of the world. The tortures that some of these guilty souls inflict on themselves are terrible to see. But in spite of all their attempts to merit salvation by works, such persons find neither real peace of mind nor freedom from a sense of guilt. The reason is simple, for the Bible clearly asserts:

"I know that in me . . . dwelleth no good thing."—Romans 7:18.

Man must depend on a power outside of himself to remove the guilt of sin and bring him peace and salvation. Righteousness is not attained by good works or by acts of self-punishment.

Some feel that mental torture can make them more acceptable to a sin-hating God. A young man lying on a bed of pain was visited by a Christian minister who talked with him about forgiveness of sin. "Oh, but I will need at least a week to remember all my past life and bring it to God in confession," he replied.

"A week?" responded the minister. "God can take all your guilt away in one minute. Why torture your mind for a week with guilt from which you can be free right now?"

This young man saw his mistake and, like the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), received forgiveness with just a word from the crucified Lord.

Even among Christians of long standing, there are those who feel their good works will save them. Their good deeds for the poor, and their prayers for the sick seem to them to be evidence of their acceptance with God. But good works have no redeeming power. Jesus said:

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."—Matthew 7:22, 23.

How tragic the state of a Christian who believes that his good works will earn him salvation!

According to Acts 16:31, salvation comes only through believing on the name of Jesus Christ. Deliverance comes through the merits and power of our crucified Lord.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."—John 1:12.

There are three distinct links in God's plan for our salvation: (1) I am justified; (2) I am sanctified; (3) I am glorified. The relationship of these three sometimes baffles those who seek deliverance from sin, and power to live the victorious life.

2. I AM JUSTIFIED

In old Scotland, when a criminal was executed for his crimes, he was said to have been "justified." Notice would be posted that "John Doe was justified at sunrise this morning." This meant that he was justified through execution. He had met the penalty of the law which demanded his life.

Law-breaking — sin — results in death. (Romans 6:23.) Since "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), all are under a death sentence.

"For in thy sight shall no man living be justified."—Psalm 143:2.

But God loved us so much that He offered Himself as our justification.

"Christ died for our sins."—1 Corinthians 15:3.

He bore our penalty. So when I say, "I am justified," I mean that Christ paid the penalty for my sins by dying for me. His death is substitutionary: I should die, but He died in my place.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him."—Romans 5:8, 9.

So God clears my record when I accept Jesus as my substitute. Of course the actual substitution was made on the cross nearly two thousand years ago, but I receive the benefit of His atonement only when I personally accept it as my own.

Through Christ the way of escape has always been available, but it becomes effective only when we believe that it is ours. Faith, not works, makes it applicable in our own experience. There is nothing to purchase, for it is free, a gift. It cannot be earned, nor is it ever merited.

"BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."—Romans 3:24, 25.

Our text says that justification applies only to "sins that are past." Some mistakenly believe that forgiveness applies to sins of the future, but this is not the teaching of Holy Scripture. God has not offered any means whereby men may plan to sin and be forgiven before they commit such sins.

God takes me as I am, with all the sins of my past life, and credits me with having paid the death penalty — through the death of Jesus, my substitute. If I try by my works to earn salvation, I deny Christ, my substitute. Forgiveness of sin comes not by my works but only through faith in Jesus.

"Therefore being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."—Romans 5:1.

I am justified. My sins are forgiven. The penalty is paid. Heart peace is mine. What a wonderful Saviour!

3. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS (Part 1 of 3)

There is a personal aspect of justification through the Holy Spirit's work in my life.

The Holy Spirit convicts me of sin.

"And when he is come, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN, and of righteousness, and of judgment."—John 16:8.

The Holy Spirit "reproves" or convicts me of my sins, if my conscience is not hardened by persistent refusal to listen to His voice. Paul says:

"THEIR CONSCIENCE also bearing witness, and THEIR THOUGHTS the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."—Romans 2:15.

So, through my conscience, the Spirit warns me of my rebellion against God.

"And THINE EARS SHALL HEAR A WORD behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."—Isaiah 30:21.

The Pharisees of Jesus' day were condemned by their conscience, which was stirred by the Spirit of God.

"Being CONVICTED by their own CONSCIENCE."—John 8:9.

We are warned by the Word of God never to turn a deaf ear to His pleadings through our conscience, as the Spirit endeavors to bring conviction to our minds and hearts.

"And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."—Ephesians 4:30.

The Holy Spirit gives me a contrite heart.

"But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a CONTRITE SPIRIT, and trembleth at my word."—Isaiah 66:2.

To be contrite means to be truly sorry for sin. Some men feign sorrow to escape punishment for sin; but it requires the working of the Holy Spirit in one's life to bring genuine sorrow for sin.

Esau sold his birthright and was sorry for the grief that his sin brought to him, but he was never much concerned about the wrong act itself. In Hebrews 12:16, 17 we discover that, while he wanted the birthright back, he had no change of heart.

The Bible speaks of "godly sorrow" as being the kind that leads one to repent of his sin.

"For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."—2 Corinthians 7:10.

3. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS (Part 2 of 3)

King David committed the double sin of adultery and murder. When the Lord sent him a reproof which convicted him of his sin, he immediately repented with all his heart. Psalms 32 and 51 are his prayers of sorrow and repentance.

Without the softening touch of the Holy Spirit leading to repentance, sinners would never be sorry for sin. Such repentance is the gift of God.

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE?"—Romans 2:4.

"Then hath God also to the Gentiles GRANTED REPENTANCE unto life."—Acts 11:18.

The Holy Spirit helps me to confess sin.

The Holy Spirit striving with me leads me to confess (1) my sins, (2) my lost condition because of sin, and (3) my need of a Saviour. Yielding to the Spirit's appeal to confess both my guilt and my need brings a great change in my life.

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."—Proverbs 28:13.

We are not only to confess our sins, but also to confess Jesus as our Saviour from sin. When we take this step, a mighty miracle of grace is performed in our nature.

"That IF THOU SHALT CONFESS with thy mouth THE LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION."—Romans 10:9, 10.

The Holy Spirit converts my nature.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9.

The transforming power of the Holy Spirit brings not only forgiveness for sins that are past, but power to live an entirely new life in Christ.

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."—Romans 8:14.

3. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS (Part 3 of 3)

The work of the Holy Spirit outlined in this section of your lesson is called conversion, or the new birth. Conversion may be the work of an instant, or it may be gradual. But regardless of how long it takes, as I surrender my will to the Holy Spirit's working within, the old life becomes hateful to me. Through faith in my Saviour, my will yields to the power of God, and He turns my footsteps into paths of righteousness and peace. He gives me an entirely new nature; I am now a "son of God." I am born into God's family, and taking Christ's name, I become a Christian. My disobedience to God's law He now changes to loving obedience.

The Holy Spirit baptizes me with power to obey.

No man in his old sinful nature can obey God. It is impossible to keep God's commandments in our own strength. Only when I am baptized by the Spirit and receive an entirely new nature can I conquer the evil propensities of human nature, and live Christ's life of victory.

I am connected with the very power of God through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit controls me. (Many mistake this work of the Third Person of the Trinity; they try to control the Spirit rather than surrender to His control.)

Controlled by the Holy Spirit, I am given power to live a life of obedience. I am —

"To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man."—Ephesians 3:16.

"That ye might walk . . . strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power."—Colossians 1:10, 11.

I am justified when the Spirit has led me to repent of and confess my sins, and to begin by God's grace to walk in newness of life. But justification covers only the past life. What of the future?

4. DAILY SANCTIFICATION

Justification lifts me out of the pit of sin and plants my feet on the path that leads to God. Sanctification keeps me in this path.

Just as the Holy Spirit brought the transforming power of God into my life to cleanse me, so He also works moment by moment in my willing heart implanting the principles of His character in my heart and mind, nurturing them tenderly in order that I may "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD."—1 Corinthians 6:11.

Justification begins the new life in Christ; sanctification continues it day by day, as long as we live. Sanctification is our growing up as children of God.

In a revival, the evangelist calls on sinners to come to Christ and be cleansed from sin. As many as come repenting find justification. They surrender their old life to God, and He forgives their past sins. By faith in Jesus, they are accepted into the family of God.

But this only begins a new life. How can the new-born soul receive power to live above sin?

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave himself for me."—Galatians 2:20.

"I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me."—Philippians 4:13.

The sanctified life results from the Holy Spirit's possessing our whole being. As Spirit-filled men and women we can arise and live gloriously for Christ because He lives in us. Will you ask God just now to fill you with His Spirit? Will you accept the challenge to live the new life in Christ?

A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of life, and who goes forth day after day to his labor, with buoyant spirits and with a healthful current of blood flowing through his veins, does not call the attention of every one he meets to his soundness of body. Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in the enjoyment of so rich a boon.

Thus it is with the truly righteous man. He is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs, or for the rosebush to yield roses. His nature is so thoroughly imbued with love for God and his fellow men that he works the works of Christ with a willing heart.

All who come within the sphere of his influence perceive the beauty and fragrance of his Christian life, while he himself is unconscious of it, for it is in harmony with his habits and inclinations. He prays for divine light, and loves to walk in that light. It is his meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly Father. His life is hid with Christ in God.—The Sanctified Life, p. 11.

5. SECURE IN CHRIST (Part 1 of 2)

The sanctified life is so filled with God's Spirit that the fruit of the Spirit is evident to everyone.

"The FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."—Galatians 5:22, 23.

The sanctified life is so filled with the love of God that every act is inspired by devotion to Christ. We do not do right to be saved, but we do right because God works in us to save us.

But the Christian is not free from Satan's temptations. Daily the devil, working to revive our old sinful natures, tempts us. At times we may even lose our patience, think wrong thoughts, or fall back into some habit that belonged to our past life of sin. But we are secure in Jesus; He is always at our side with assurances of forgiveness. John wrote these words of admonition and comfort to Christians:

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."—1 John 2:1.

What counts with Jesus is not an occasional good deed, or an occasional bad deed, but a surrendered will and the heavenward direction of the life. The Christian life — the life in Christ — should be one of constant victory over sin.

"He [Christ] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."—Hebrews 7:25.

No power on earth can rob a man of his salvation, except that man himself. Jesus has promised:

"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER'S HAND."—John 10:28, 29.

5. SECURE IN CHRIST (Part 2 of 2)

Nothing in all this world can separate us from the love of God — nothing except our own will to cherish sin. But are we eternally secure? We cannot be plucked out of the hand of God; but, as free moral agents, we can step out of His hand, for we have the power to choose for ourselves to do right or wrong. Men are drawn to Christ by love, but they are always free to turn from God if they choose to do so.

If, after we have confessed Christ, we again turn our will toward sin, we sever our connection with Christ. If we break God's law knowingly and willingly, without repentance, we step out of Christ's hand. Your security — past, present, future — is in giving your life, moment by moment, in complete surrender to Christ. This is sometimes called righteousness by faith — that is, right living and right standing with God through a completely trusting relationship with the Saviour.

Have you taken your past life to Jesus? Is your faith in His power to keep you from sin reflected in your life? Are you obeying God's unchangeable moral law because He has written its principles in your mind and heart?

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. . . . Having therefore . . . boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, . . . LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH. . . . LET US HOLD FAST THE PROFESSION OF OUR FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING."—Hebrews 10:16-23.

Dear Father in heaven: May your Spirit control my motives, my words, and my actions. Keep me ready until Jesus comes. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.