Chapter 4: Saving Faith – Believing in Jesus Christ

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PART II: CONVERSION – ENTERING NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

Theological Overview: Justification by Faith Alone

At the heart of the Christian gospel lies the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide). This foundational truth, recovered and emphasised during the Protestant Reformation, proclaims that sinners are declared righteous before God not on the basis of works, moral achievements, or religious observance, but solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification is a legal declaration by God, the righteous Judge, by which He pardons sinners, imputes to them the righteousness of Christ, and accepts them as righteous in His sight. This justification is not earned—it is entirely a gift of divine grace, received by faith apart from works.

Saving faith is the God-appointed means by which the righteousness of Christ is received. It is not the merit or intensity of faith that saves, but the object of that faith—Jesus Christ crucified and risen. Through faith, the believer is united to Christ and shares in His life, death, and resurrection.

This doctrine protects the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, exalts the grace of God, and lays the foundation for assurance. Because justification rests not on the believer’s fluctuating performance but on Christ’s finished work, it offers unshakable confidence to those who trust in Him.

Key Texts: John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 5:1

John 3:16 expresses the essence of the gospel:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The term “believe” (pisteuō) implies more than agreement—it involves trust, reliance, and personal commitment. Eternal life is promised not to those who merely know about Christ, but to those who entrust themselves entirely to Him.

Ephesians 2:8–9 clearly distinguishes the source and means of salvation:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Paul eliminates all grounds for self-congratulation. Salvation is by grace alone, and even the faith to receive it is a divine gift, not a human accomplishment.

Romans 5:1 offers the assurance that flows from justification:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This peace is not merely emotional but relational—a restored standing before God. It is the fruit of reconciliation, grounded in Christ’s substitutionary work.

Doctrinal Themes: Faith, Grace, Assurance

1. Faith

Biblical faith involves three essential elements:

  • Knowledge – Understanding the gospel message.
  • Assent – Agreeing that it is true.
  • Trust – Personally relying on Christ for salvation.

Without trust (fiducia), faith remains intellectual and is not saving in nature. Saving faith is relational and transformative; it surrenders to Christ as Lord and clings to Him as Saviour.

2. Grace

Grace is God’s unmerited favour toward sinners. It initiates, sustains, and completes salvation. The human role is not to earn or contribute, but to receive through faith. Grace underscores that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end, for His glory alone.

3. Assurance

Assurance is the believer’s confidence in the security of their salvation. Because salvation is by grace and through faith, it does not rest on fluctuating feelings or imperfect obedience, but on the perfect, unchanging righteousness of Christ. Romans 8:16 speaks of the Spirit’s internal testimony, confirming that we are children of God. However, assurance may ebb and flow depending on doctrinal understanding, spiritual maturity, and the believer’s walk with God.

Clarification: True Faith vs. Intellectual Assent

A grave misunderstanding persists in equating saving faith with mere intellectual agreement. Many affirm theological truths, attend church, and engage in religious practices, yet remain unconverted. James 2:19 warns:
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Demonic faith is orthodox in content but devoid of trust and repentance. True saving faith is:

  • Personal – trusting in Christ for me.
  • Transformative – leading to repentance and obedience.
  • Christ-centred – resting not in performance but in the Saviour.

The Reformers rightly emphasised fiducia—the heart-trust that clings to Christ alone. Faith that does not lead to a changed life is dead and counterfeit (James 2:17). Authentic faith always expresses itself through love, obedience, and perseverance (Galatians 5:6).

Reflection: Do I Truly Trust in Christ Alone for Salvation?

This chapter calls for deep and honest self-examination:

  • Do I rest entirely in Christ’s finished work, or do I subconsciously rely on my morality, experiences, or spiritual practices?
  • Has my faith produced repentance, obedience, and love for Christ?
  • Do I believe about Jesus, or do I trust in Jesus—as my righteousness, my hope, my life?
  • When I struggle with sin or failure, do I look to myself or to Christ?

True saving faith results in:

  • Peace with God (Romans 5:1),
  • Desire for holiness (Hebrews 12:14),
  • Joyful dependence on grace (Philippians 3:9),
  • and assurance grounded in Christ’s sufficiency (Romans 10:11).

To believe in Jesus is not to recite a creed—it is to stake one’s eternal destiny upon the cross and resurrection of Christ. It is to say with Paul, “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Key Scriptures:

  • John 3:16 – “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
  • Ephesians 2:8–9 – “By grace you have been saved through faith.”
  • Romans 5:1 – “Justified by faith, we have peace with God.”
  • James 2:19 – “Even the demons believe—and shudder.”
  • Galatians 2:20 – “The life I now live… I live by faith in the Son of God.”

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