Where'd You Get That Faith?

There are many professing Christians today placing great pride in their upbringing like, "I grew up in a Christian home. My father was an elder, and my mother taught Sunday school." They may even exclaim, "I've been a Christian my whole life!" Some may not remember their "salvation story" at all but harken back to a very vague memory that, at some point in youth, they were baptized. Their lives thereafter may not have reflected a radical change to live for Christ nor actually "walk the walk." It's very common in Christian circles and can be very deceptive in light of Scripture.

So, what does the Bible say about a person's journey to salvation?

Contrary to some beliefs that there are actual steps to salvation, the Bible presents one actual step to salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). Also, in Luke 23:42-43, the thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The thief just believed Jesus unto salvation, and Jesus promised him paradise.

Then in faith, we obey by repenting (turning from sin), surrendering to Christ, and being baptized with a public profession (of faith). These are not steps to salvation but a result of salvation. Many confuse this with WORKS as stated in James 2:17, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." This is not a command to work one's way to heaven nor put trust in self-determination to please God.

The crux of God's power comes in this verse, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

When one realizes the gravity of salvation then has that "blessed assurance," the gratitude to the Lord, sometimes can be overwhelming (almost incomprehensible) - that we aren't saved by our merit or goodness but that God (in His great mercy) saved us! This thankfulness is what propels the believer to put works into action.

What do these works (by faith) look like?

God gives spiritual gifts to the faithful that are intended to be USED such as hospitality, generosity, grace, prayer, teaching, discernment, and wisdom. These gifts become blessings to others when we give abundantly to both believers and unbelievers. They can even encourage Christians to delight in giving these gifts instead of harboring them in a dark closet. These "works" are one of many evidences of true salvation along with a radical shift in a person's life that a "godly change" has occurred.

God-given FAITH can neither be inherited familially nor mustered up through mere willpower. The Bible states, "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!" James 2:19. To simply say, "I believe Jesus died on the cross for me" is one thing but to actually BELIEVE Him and LIVE FOR Him is quite another. To believe Jesus is to take into account all the truths, from Scripture, that make it possible to answer the call.

2 Timothy 1:9, "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." And, "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:28.

The Bible warns, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” Acts 28:26. To identify as Christian because of family history is essentially a quasi-Christianity through osmosis that resembles nothing described in God's Word.

It's quite clear from Scripture that God calls His children into salvation at an appointed time; they're written into the Lamb's Book of Life, and He secures them. "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels." Revelation 3:5.

It's true - we are HEIRS grafted into the VINE as stated by Jesus in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." This inheritance is apart from a family history of Christianity. It's a gift of faith from above giving believers the ability to walk out their salvation with feet firmly planted onto the foundation of the ROCK - Jesus Christ!