Faith in Christ

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. - John 5:24

    There are many false religious refuges in which men hide, and many false claims to a hope of glory which will be shattered at the judgement. One such refuge is religious orthodoxy and sound theology without a personal faith in—and commitment to—the Lord Jesus.

    Saul of Tarsus was a student of the Scriptures, a man of high morality and integrity, a believer in the sovereignty of God and election (he believed the Jews were God’s elect). He fought for what he believed. But Saul had never been brought to a personal knowledge of Christ Jesus, an understanding of his person and work, and a genuine, open committal to Christ. The fact that he was one of the elect, that he would one day preach the gospel, that he would one day seal his testimony with his blood, did not alter the fact that he was a lost sinner who must hear the voice of God in his Word and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

    You may be as orthodox as an old, studious Puritan and as sincere in your contention for the doctrines of grace as Calvin himself; but, if the Holy Spirit has not brought the Word of the gospel to your heart in conviction of your sin, sins, and righteous rags; if the Holy Spirit has not revealed (through the Word of God) Christ to your heart in faith, committal, and love, you will hear Christ say to you, “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Mt. 7:23).

    It is not faith in doctrine that saves, nor even faith in God’s power to save, but faith in Christ! Anyone who believes there is a God knows that being God enables him to do what he will! But what will God do? He will redeem men in Christ; he will love men in Christ; he will accept men in Christ; he will save all who are in Christ; and that not by election alone, but by faith! “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). “He that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16).

    Once more I set before you the gospel of Jesus Christ and call upon you to believe him, look to him, and confess him publicly as your Lord and Saviour!