In “These All Died in Faith,” Don Fortner addresses the theological doctrine of faith, particularly its role in salvation and the believer's life. He emphasizes that while faith is essential for salvation, it is not the cause of justification or regeneration; rather, these are accomplished through God's sovereign grace and the blood of Christ (Romans 3:24). Fortner highlights key passages such as Hebrews 11:13 and Habakkuk 2:4, reiterating that the believer's confidence in God's promises, and their continuous faith throughout life, is what sustains their relationship with Christ. He argues for a thorough understanding of faith as a way of life rather than a single act, asserting that those who genuinely live by faith will also die in faith, as affirmed in various scripture references including Job 17:9 and Psalm 138:8. This doctrine emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God's promises and the necessity of living in continual faith, pointing to the enduring security of the believer's salvation.
Key Quotes
“Our faith in Christ is as essential to our salvation as his death for us.”
“Faith in Christ is not the cause of our justification or of our regeneration. We are justified by the grace of God through the redemption accomplished by the shedding of Christ's precious blood at Calvary.”
“The just shall live by faith. Faith in Christ is not an act of life but a way of life.”
“The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. The power of God's grace can never be broken.”
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. in faith...: Gr. according to faith - Hebrews 11:13“These All Died In Faith”
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13
Live By Faith
Four times in Holy Scripture, we read, “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). Our faith in Christ is as is as essential to our salvation as his death for us. Our faith in God is as necessary to the salvation of our souls as God’s election of us unto salvation. Our believing by the Spirit is just as necessary to our everlasting salvation in Christ as our being born of the Spirit. Faith is not our Savior. Christ alone is our Savior; but we can no more be saved without faith in Christ than we could live without breathing. “The just shall live by faith.”
Bible Doctrine
Be sure you understand the doctrine of Holy Scripture. —Faith in Christ is not the cause of our justification or of our regeneration. We are justified by the grace of God through the redemption accomplished by the shedding of Christ’s precious blood at Calvary (Rom. 3:24). It was the blood of Christ that satisfied the justice of God, not our faith. It was the blood of Christ that put away our sins, not our faith. It was the blood of Christ that redeemed us, not our faith. In the matter of regeneration, too, the work is altogether the work of God’s free, sovereign, omnipotent, irresistible grace. Faith is not the cause of the new birth, but the result. We believe by the working of God’s almighty power, by the operation of God. Yet, we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life. He that believeth not the Son of God shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” But faith in Christ is much more than most people imagine. Most vainly imagine that since they decided to believe in Jesus, since they believed in him (yesterday, this morning, or 30 years ago) they are saved forever. The Scriptures never use such language. The testimony of Holy Scripture is, “The just shall live by faith.” Faith in Christ is not an act of life, but a way of life.
Die in Faith
All who live by faith shall die in faith (Job 17:9; Ps. 138:8; Isa. 46:4; Jer. 32:40). The house built on the Rock shall not fall. Those to whom Christ gives eternal life shall never perish. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. The sons of Jacob shall never die, because our God cannot and does not change. The seal of God’s Spirit cannot be broken. The merit of Christ’s blood can never be made of non-effect. The power of God’s grace can never be broken. The purpose of God’s love can never be overturned.
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