The Nature of Saving Faith
Audio Note: We noticed a slight problem with the recording. Toward the middle there is about 5 minutes where the sound may go low.
INTRO
Kinds of faith that will not save:
1) demonic faith - James 2:19
2) fruitless faith - James 2:14
3) defective heart faith –Lk. 8:6, 13
Two extremes to avoid:
1) making saving faith too deep.
2) making saving faith too superficial.
Last week in 10:5-8 we learned that gospel faith:
1) DOES NOT require us to do any heroic deeds.
2) DOES SAY that to those who hear the gospel, the message of salvation is near, in their mouth and in heart. It is accessible and understandable so you are without excuse if you reject it.
I. THE NATURE OF TRUE GOSPEL FAITH (vv. 9-10).
A. This gospel faith does save (vv. 9-10).
B. Gospel faith is a matter of the mouth and the heart (vv. 9-10).
1) The order changes from v. 9 to v. 10. Why?
2) Expresses both the inward and outward sides of faith.
We must distinguish between the ROOT of gospel faith and the FRUIT of gospel faith.
C. Gospel faith contains truth statements about Christ (vv. 9-10).
1) Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord.
a) To confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord is also to believe it in your heart. Matt. 12:34 "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
Matt. 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart.
b) Confession is important.
Matt. 10:32 "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
Matt. 10:33 "But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
c) To confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 12:3 Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
d) We are to confess that Jesus is Lord. What does this mean?
(1) Jesus is God. Kurios = Lord and is used 6,000 in LXX for Yahweh.
(2) Not just a verbal assent as in Matt. 7:22-23.
(3) Jesus is the universal sovereign and Lord over all (10:12).
(4) Jesus is MY LORD. He is my personal Lord, master, king and God. Like Thomas, "My Lord and my God" (Jn. 20:28).
Not saying that we have to live with Jesus as Lord before we can be saved or that there must be perfect obedience to Christ to have saving faith. This means that the essence of saving faith bows the knees to Christ. When we first believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior, it is there. We inherently acknowledge His right to rule over us and there is yielding and submission to that right to rule, even though we struggle in our obedience.
CONCLUSION
JESUS IS LORD: believe it in your heart, confess it with your mouth, and live it out in your life.