The place of “belief” in our salvation is one of the most
misunderstood issues in the dialogue concerning the Christian faith. The first
thing we must do is separate the issue of the finished work of Christ on the
cross, and the trust we must solely place in it, from how we get to the point
where it is available to us. Believing in the finished work of Christ on the
cross, and the issue of saving faith, are two entirely different issues that unfortunately
are easily convoluted. One, we have nothing to do with, and the other, we have
everything to do with. “Belief” in the context of saving faith does not unlock salvation, but rather, as we see inside
a real lock, works in conjunction with the other tumblers to eventually allow
the lock to open. Belief is the first
contact the key makes with the lock itself, and so in this sense it is indispensable,
but by itself, it is still not capable of opening the lock. So, we see that
without “belief” the lock cannot be opened, but also, that if belief is all
there is, the lock remains closed. In saving
faith “belief” allows the key to pass deeper within the lock and on to
conviction, contrition, and repentance. Saving
faith occurs when the key has securely passed all the tumblers, and can now
be successfully turned, and the lock opened. There are no works involved in
this at all, it is simply the message of the Gospel having its intended effect on the heart. One of the greatest
errors in Christian thought is the idea that a true passion for Christ should be
a “work” somehow, when in fact, it is simply the bi-product of saving faith. This brings up the issue
of faith and works. The reason James
says a faith without works cannot save you, is not because he is infringing on
the finished work of Jesus, but because it is impossible for anyone who has
experienced true saving faith to continue
without a changed heart, which once again, is not a “work,” but the desired effect
of the Gospel. Where there is no change of heart, there is no saving faith,
period! Likewise, where there is saving faith there is a heart that has turned
definitively towards the Lord. When the argument of faith and works turns to
what we do or don’t do, we have missed the point entirely, for those things
have nothing to do with the issue at hand, which is, did the key pass on past
belief, to contrition, conviction, and genuine repentance, if so the course of
ones life is predestined to be conformed into the image of Jesus. So, we see
how it is possible for someone to “believe” in the finished work of Jesus on
the cross, but still never experience saving
faith! Therefore, it is so important that we never confuse our belief in the finished work of Jesus on
the cross, with the effect it is intended to have upon us, when we experience saving faith. After saving faith has turned the key and unlocked our salvation, one can
now, and must, “believe” in Jesus’ and His finished work on the cross.
Rev. Joel M McDuffie Jr.11/21/18
