Living by Faith

February 1, 1998

Genesis 15:6

All our lives we have heard, "Saved by faith, not by works!" But let me go out on a limb and say that faith does not save anyone. Ultimately we are saved by God's love, by God's grace extended to us in Jesus Christ. So we are saved by Jesus, and faith is the God-given gift that enables us to receive that salvation.

Faith is more than believing what is true, even more than believing what is scripturally true about Jesus Christ. Faith is more than believing in true doctrine or true propositions and in the infallibility of the scriptures. Faith that saves us is finally coming to trust in a Person.

The story of Abraham, about 4,000 years old, is amazingly fresh when it comes to giving insight into faith. The verse that is used by New Testament writers to describe faith is found in Genesis 15:6 Abraham believed God, and it wascounted to him for righteousness.

What led to that statement? What came next? What is covenant faith? God is a what?

Faith is not a cold, impersonal experiment. God does not "perform" in a testtube, but God does respond to honest questions and doubt if we are willing to obey when he speaks. Faith is revealed to faith.

Faith is finally person to Person, or, Person to person. It is concummated in covenant. God will keep his side of the covenant.

Faith is made apparent in faithfulness. It will be tested. In any covenant relationship there will be stress. in Marriage. In our walk with God.

What does it mean: "We are saved by faith?" NOT necessarily that we have all the questions answered! Not that "our" doctrine is better than the Baptists (or Catholics, or whatever...) ((Of course it is!! :-) )) But 'have you encountered the living God? Have you started out? Are you following? God won't quit on you!

Abraham BELIEVED God! We can believe HIM, too!