Episode 35: Saving Faith

Abundant Life Podcast
Abundant Life Podcast
Episode 35: Saving Faith
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In this episode Saso and Ben discuss saving faith and why this is foundational to all Christians.

Saving faith is believing that Jesus Christ is my only Savior.

Freedom That Lasts definition

Many believe that there are many ways to get to heaven but there is no saving faith in that. 

FAITH – is a firm, cordial belief in the veracity of God, in all the declarations of his word; or a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because he has declared them.

Webster’s 1828

There is a lot to unpack with that definition of faith but it is saving faith that allows us to say that there is one God and that we take Him at His Word.

Jesus Christ is the only Savior!

Key verse

Acts 4:12

What is saving faith?

Saving faith is what cleanses a sinner of sin and sets his/her eternal destination. We call this justification and sanctification. When you place your faith in Christ, you are justified and set apart, sealed as a child of God.

To have faith in Jesus simply means you trust Him and Him alone that He is God in the flesh and that died and resurrected to atone for our sin. Obviously this trust must be authentic. 

Often times the Bible uses the word believe, in fact John uses “believe” in the Gospel of John and it turns out its there 100 times within 86 different verses. The new testament found 248 times within 220 verses (all KJV). The greek word pist-yoo’-o means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in

John 1:1

It is extremely important to identify that Jesus is God. Jesus is the second person of the trinity, co-equal with God the father. Some religions will tell you that they believe in Jesus, but the “Jesus” they identify with is either not God, or is not eternal.

John 1:14

Another huge point is that Jesus became man, God in the flesh. Jesus is the keeper of the law, he never sinned once and is the reason that we can have salvation.

Romans 10:9-10

Salvation requires that you place your faith or your trust in Jesus, the correct Jesus, and that you are trusting in his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sin.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

John testifies that those who have placed their faith in Jesus are sons and daughters of God.

1 John 5:1

This foundational saving faith is the key to becoming and living as a Christian, if you miss this, then you may have a false hope.

Is Jesus the only way?

There is no other way to get to heaven, only one way, and that is through Jesus.  People look to a lot of things in this world as their savior but there is only one way. 

  • Matthew 7:13-14
  • Matthew 7:22-23

People look to a lot of things for their Savior, but they miss out on the one true Savior. The one who died for you and seeks to rescue you from your condemned condition.

  • John 19:30
  • John 14:6
  • Acts 4:12

Once saved always saved!

Jesus knew all of the sin we would commit but He still loved us with an everlasting love and there is nothing that will separate us from this great love. 

Romans 8:35, 38-39

Every Christian at some point doubts their salvation. Typically when you are in sin, or perhaps just not reading your bible, or maybe it’s just that Satan is whispering lies in your ear, it’s inevitable that you will experience doubt.

  • John 10:28-29
  • Ephesians 4:30

There are some Christians that believe you can lose your salvation. However, it really wouldn’t make sense. When you get saved you are granted eternal life. It wouldn’t be eternal if it can be broken or haunted. The scripture is clear, we are sealed and sanctified even until the day of redemption.

Once saved, it’s very likely that we will sin, but the beautiful thing is that God does not throw us away like some broken piece of trash. When we sin, we definitely cause a rift in our relationship with God, but the solution is simple, repent and confess.

Sins brings about doubt of in our lives, and it can make us question our salvation, but if we have accepted Him, then we must rest in His finished work on the cross. Your fellowship with Him can be hindered, but your eternal security is forever sealed.

  • Psalms 103:10-14
  • Isaiah 55:7

God is willing to forgive us, and we can be reach with Him at this very moment. There are no spiritual rituals or pardoning that needs to happen, but we can be right with Him now!

1 John 1:9

Fruit of salvation

John 15:4-5

Once you are saved, and abiding in the vine, God will begin to produce fruit in you.

What kind of fruit? 

Desire for Christ likeness

  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • 2 Peter 1:5-7

Genuine saving faith moves us away from the world with its lusts and toward likeness to Christ.

Jim Berg from the book Essential Virtues Marks of the Christ-Centered Life

Sanctification – Growing in your faith

  • Romans 6:22
  • Colossians 1:10

Fellowship of the brethren

Acts 2:42

These are just a few fruits, there are many others. Essentially you will have desire to read your bible in order to get to know and understand God. You will grow in your faith and in your walk with God as you learn more about him and as your faith grows. You will desire to be around other believers and to serve God. Ultimately you will become more like Christ.

The Mission

John 4:4

The offer of saving faith

John 4:9-10

The saving faith promise

John 4:13-14

The realization of the gift

John 4:28-29

In this passage Jesus stopped at a well to speak to a woman who was involved immorally with a man who was not her husband. Why did Jesus make this special trip to speak to this woman who had many immoral relationships? He knew she needed a Savior, and He loved her like only the Savior could love a sinner.

Closing

Have you come to know the amazing saving faith that God offers to you?

Do you have a thirst that cannot be quenched with all that the world offers?

Jesus Christ is the only One who can quench your thirst.

Will you come to saving faith today?

How about you Christian? Will you share your saving faith with another?

Will you thank the One who has saved you or have you forgotten what it was like to thirst?

May today be the day you get right with Him in terms of saving faith or may it be the day Christian where you make things right with Him.

Resources

1 Comments

  1. Irene Mendez on May 10, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    Knowing that we can not save ourselves, the Lord has done it all, by dying for our sinful selves and saving us from the punishment of sin.

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