What is Saving Faith? (James 2 prt 3)

Present yourself approved to God a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. Alpha and Omega ministries presents the dividing line radio broadcast. The Apostle Peter commanded all Christians to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us.

Yet to give this answer with gentleness and reverence. Your host is dr. James white director of Alpha and Omega ministries and an elder at the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church. If you'd like to talk with dr. White, you can call now by dialing 602 274 1360.

That's 602 274 1360 or if you're out of the Metro Phoenix dialing area, it's one eight eight eight five five zero thirteen sixty. That's one triple eight five five zero thirteen sixty. And now with today's topic.

Here's James white.

The Purpose of the Program and the Topic of Saving Faith

Well, hello and welcome to the dividing line. My name is Sean Han and I am serving as the vice president of Alpha and Omega ministries and I'm also privileged to be a deacon at Sovereign Grace Bible Church at 29th Avenue and Bethany Home Road and Sitting here in the studio with me is Simon Escobedo Who is also a board member of Alpha and Omega ministries.

And Simon you attend a Phoenix Reformed Baptist with dr.

White is that right? That is correct. And it's great to be here this morning. Yeah, let me ask you.

It must be a difficult task that the Lord has given you to be with. Dr White. And day in and day out at church on a weekly basis. Is that somewhat of a challenge for you?

Yes, it's the most interesting as people write the ministry and have much adoration for dr. White. I think yeah, he's a great guy. I wait live with him have fun with him. But he's just a regular Joe just like you and I that's great.

Well, it is our delight to be filling in for dr.

White today and it is dr. White is currently in st. Louis. Is that correct rich? Actually rich is I got his back to me rich is also with us. He's in our Studio booth today taking calls and stuff for us, but I do believe that dr White is in st. Louis doing some preaching and I believe he was scheduled for a debate that got canceled for Reasons that we're not totally clear on but anyhow today.

Our desire is to discuss the very important topic of saving faith. Saving faith. What is saving faith? And is it different from just plain old ordinary faith? Is salvation simply a matter of believing that Jesus is the Son of God or is there more to Salvation than that and what does it really mean to believe in Jesus Christ?

If I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God come in the flesh. Does that make me a Christian? Well, many people think so. You might be asking yourself why on this apologetical radio program. Are we talking about saving faith?

And I would say that a correct Understanding of the nature of biblical saving faith is very much a part of defending the faith. And as a matter of fact any time you and I study a particular doctrinal truth You are strengthening your ability to give a more accurate answer for the hope that lies within you as first Peter 3 15 says.

And I think it's a guarantee that any non-believer you share Christ with has an errant view of faith or of saving faith. And therefore I think the study is going to be very relevant even for that most Hardcore apologist out there and theology and apologetics for me Are very closely related so closely related that I cannot see doing one without engaging in the others.

Would you agree with that Simon? Absolutely Sean one cannot provide a truly biblical Apologetic or defense of biblical truth unless one is grounded in sound doctrine. They go hand in hand and sadly as you know as others of the ministry know Many of the groups that we deal with be they adherence to Roman Catholicism Mormonism Marianism you name it if they are not biblically challenged.

With sound truth sound doctrine. There's a lot of confusion and that tends to be what? Most the circles that are not well grounded end up causing with these groups. In fact the issue that we are discussing was one of the most frequently asked questions.

When we were at the Easter pageant over and over and over again in Mesa the question was asked What does it mean to believe in Christ? What did Paul mean when he said believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and on?

I guess it was a week ago Friday Marty Minto on his straight live talk show brought up this very issue what does saving faith mean and based upon the Response that was given all the callers that called in the perspective was so grievous to me.

It was it was disheartening because quite frankly most of the answers that were given were downright heretical. And so I think that this is an exciting topic to deal with this morning extremely relevant.

Definitely and now this is a live program where we welcome your phone calls and today I would ask you that you hold your calls until after our first break this will give us some time To get through some of the material that we have here and possibly during this first segment.

We might Answer a lot of the calls that would come in but so anyhow Let's dig in to begin this study you ask a simple question. What is faith? Let's back up and just ask before we get to saving faith.

What is faith? Well in a little dictionary that sits on my desk. It simply says that faith is belief without evidence. Belief without evidence and That struck me as odd as I read that because I'm I understand what real faith is and when I read that I was really Taken back and I had to think about that and that definition that that little dictionary gave me is really what we would call Blind faith and this is a common misconception or a common conception and a misconception of faith today.

As a matter of fact I would even say that this kind of faith is A sinful faith and therefore it's not the kind of faith that would honor the God that we serve. It's not a true biblical faith.

Simon would you?

Would you agree with this kind of faith. This mindless faith is is prevalent today even in our churches.

Well, I think Sean certainly that caters to the misconception of some that faith is some kind of a blind leap in the dark. It is a faith without certainty of faith seemingly defined as an entity in itself.

And it is what I guess I could coin. The phrase it is what some might call wishful thinking now. My daughter Abigail is in studio with us this Afternoon and some time ago. We had the opportunity of watching The Prince of Egypt.

I don't know Sean.

Did you get a chance to see that? Yeah, actually, I think we own that film if that's okay. It's a good video.

Yes, it is. I don't want you to think I'm going in a direction is gonna cause problems here. But one of the more popular songs in that in that movie from that score is the song if you believe. And if you remember that song basically, it's it's never said as to what you believe.

Seemingly the idea That's given is that if you have enough belief, then you can make things happen. Yes, the suggested definition of saving faith or any kind of a faith is simply that you might be able to make something happen as Opposed to the biblical definition that we're going to get into today that is based on something that has been promised to happen, right?

And there is a current teaching out there. That is what we call Faith the faith movement or faith teachers that there's this force of faith that's out there that exists almost as a god. But anyhow, the Bible views the conviction of faith as a known certainty.

It's based upon the divine testimony of God who cannot lie and therefore a true biblical faith is not a blind faith. Why. Well because it's based upon the testimony and the evidence of God's Word and hence.

It's utterly trustworthy real biblical faith. Knows nothing of the prevailing modern notion that faith is an enemy of knowledge.

You have stated accurately Sean biblical faith is not Antithetical to knowledge. It is not an either-or dichotomy. It in no way is synonymous to the prevailing notion of irrationalism. I've heard many individuals and seeking to give a hope for the reason that lies within them will basically offer this kind of a response.

Well, you just got to have faith somehow suggesting that there's no objective testimony to which their faith rests. Such as contrary to reason and such as contrary to even the natural faith that you and I experience every day now.

As we were Coming to the radio station today we were driving in the car riches car and we were engaged in conversation and Believe it or not each of us was experiencing some kind of faith. Each time a rich stepped on that gas and as he was driving we Entrusted ourselves to rich.

There was a faith that was demonstrated that we I guess you would agree that we recognize Rich is a competent driver. Yeah, we're putting our faith in a man or in God when rich is driving. That's true a good point and as we approach the traffic light There was a faith being demonstrated that the brakes on the vehicle would stop our vehicle.

It was a faith that was demonstrated by knowledge. We know mechanically the brakes will work and it was a it was a faith based on experience. We knew they had work. So certainly there is a faith that is is not a rational and it is not relative or subjective in other words.

There are many that would say it's not so important as to what you believe, but how you believe it. Hence Objectivity is not an issue but sincerity. And that's where they would focus right and sincerity becomes the overriding ultimate.

Authority in the individual if you're sincere, then that's all that matters. But that's that's not biblical thinking. Well before we look at what saving faith is I want to briefly consider what saving faith is not.

This is kind of how the Puritans would define things. They would say it's not this and here's what it is. So I would like to attempt to remove some of the common misconceptions. So what faithings what saving faith is not?

Here it is. It's not merely and I want to emphasize the word merely it's not merely a belief in the truths of the Bible for instance saving faith does not again merely Consist of believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

That he was born of a virgin that he lived a perfect life according to the law of God that he was crucified as a substitute for sinners that he was Resurrected on the third day ruling and reigning at the right hand of the father and is coming again you see to simply believe in the facts of the gospel is to have what theologians call a historical faith.

Historical faith. In other words the person who has this kind of historical faith believes the truths of the Bible in the very same Way and with the same degree of interest as any other historical fact.

In other words.

He would believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh as much as he would believe that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. This person simply does not dispute or deny the facts and thus the name historical faith.

It's purely an intellectual apprehension of the truth and. Some characters in the Bible that demonstrate this kind of faith. Well are the demons in James 2 19. It says you believe that God is one you do.

Well, the demons also believe and shudder. Yes, even the demons are monotheist.

It but it despite the notitia element of their of their faith. There is no trusting in Christ. Mike and I played on this text some time ago the Greek term there shudder frisasson. Despite the fact that they know they believe they're monotheist.

They believe that there is only one God and it causes them to tremble yet. Then this in and of itself does not deliver them from their peril. Yeah.

I would even go so far as to say that the demons are Better than then. Then even being a monotheist I'd give him more credit than say they're. They're good Calvinist. Good Calvin. They're better Calvinist than we are As far as the notitia element goes.

Well, anyway.

Consequently their outward behavior these individuals is usually Modified so that they begin to look like Christians. The problem is is that they're outward actually I've got the wrong note page here.

Let me let me continue here the individual that has this historical faith believes that the Bible and all that it teaches is true and This kind of faith this kind of historical faith in and of itself is not Genuine saving faith.

That's the key here. Now there's another type of faith that we come across in the Bible besides just historical faith. That is not a saving faith it is called a temporary faith a temporary faith. Someone who has a temporary faith has a knowledge of the truth and he reacts to the truth in such a way that He experiences a degree of natural emotions and affections that are externally consistent With their confession and as a result of experiencing what we call the common grace of God this individual.

They could be in our churches. They could be sitting in our pews Doing the things that we do and they're coming under the common grace of God and as a result of this They're natural and they're rational and their moral powers.

They experience this this heightening. Although it's a shallow it's a superficial heightening and an excitement toward the truth and Consequently this this outward behavior is Modified so they begin to look like a Christian and you and I can't tell the difference.

These people look like you and I they do the same things to say the same things. The problem is that these outward conforming actions involve no Supernatural change of the heart.

It is a professed face as Sean it is not a possessed faith. And I think if we were to try to Look at the New Testament and see where this is most clearly demonstrated It would be in our Lord's parable of this of the soils the four soils.

Remember that text that the Lord demonstrates there. There are three kinds of soil that are specifically stated not to provide any long-lasting fruit. The word is sown and either because Satan has taken the way the seed or the plant gets scorched by the Sun or the Plant gets choked by the thorns.

Ultimately in all three of those soils there was no fruit. They produced no fruit. Some of them produced Seemingly some indication that the seed had found root. But there was it was only temporary. It was only a matter of time between It was only a matter of time before various circumstances Would expose the fact that it hadn't truly gotten to the bottom.

And only one soil is presented in that passage That actually bared fruit and that was the one that was genuine.

Right. So those first three kinds of soils there in that parable are good illustrations of what we're calling a temporary faith. And there are some individuals in the Bible. Actually, they're probably many but a few that I can think of that have this temporary faith or Judas Iscariot.

You know, he saw the miracles. He handled the very Son of God. He was there. He understood certain things. He realized that this was the truth. But yet. And and the disciples were fooled by him. He was able to walk with them.

He might have been able to carry out miracles. He might have been all cast out demons and and do certain things.

I think it's interesting Sean if I can interject at that point when the Lord said that one of you would betray me. They didn't all say Judas. That's right. There was no finger pointing at Judas. There was no indication at all.

What was the response of the disciples. Lord? Is it I right? Yeah, but he certainly had them all for that's right.

And and and that's that that's the point from from our perspective a lot of times with an individual that has a temporary faith We cannot see their heart. So we don't know they're pumping out Good works that line up with what the scriptures would be, but we cannot see their heart.

But ultimately time will tell usually for these individuals. They will eventually fall away. Simon Magus is another example and another character named Demas in the New Testament that all exhibit these Characteristics of temporary faith.

So having a faith that merely believes the truths of the Bible And responds to them in such a way that it causes these individuals to to reform themselves external Reformation. And some sort of external conformity to the gospel that kind of a faith is not a faith that justifies the individual before God Ultimately the knowledge of God Christ and the scriptures that this historical believer Or even the temporary believer has for that matter.

It's divorced from any real heart acquaintance. So anyhow, those are two examples of faith faiths that we see in the Bible that are non Saving faiths a historical faith and a temporary faith. So what is saving faith?

What does saving faith involve and what is it about faith that makes it a saving faith? Well theologians say that there are three elements or three parts to real saving faith and they are Notitia, which we've hinted to already.

It's called knowledge notitious the Latin the second one is called a census in the Latin or assent in English and Fiducia, the third aspect is fiducia and we're familiar with that word. It means trust.

So first off saving faith is based upon having a knowledge of the truth. You cannot have Faith you cannot have saving faith without a knowledge of the truth. You cannot have faith in something that you don't know and so obviously one must believe that the testimony and the evidence of God's Word and we've kind of mentioned this earlier when we made the point that One may have a knowledge of the truth without having saving faith, but here's the key One may not have saving faith without having a knowledge of the truth.

And so knowledge Forms or is the cognitive foundation or the basis for saving faith and at the same time We must remember that this knowledge in and of itself is not saving faith and as we mentioned earlier many Christians walk around today with this knowledge and Believe that they're saved because they have the knowledge and they understand these things Paul says in second Thessalonians 210 that men must love the truth in order to be saved.

They must love the truth to be saved and in 2nd Timothy 2 25 pulses again repentance leads to the.

Knowledge of the truth. Yeah, I'd like to add a comment on that that second passage particularly Sean that that Paul is presenting There are hearts are in natural rebellion to God's truth. I mean, that's just a given man by nature his unregenerate state will naturally reject God's truth.

And in Paul's Plea here is that he was praying that some might be granted repentance So that they might not only come to a discovery of the truth But as well a knowledge and acceptance of it. And so I think that's a key issue in in making sure that we understand what we're talking about here.

That's right in John.

The Apostle John explains the reason why he wrote his gospel in John 20 in verse 31. He says that these things have been written and there's the idea they've been written there's the knowledge aspect that You may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.

So he says I've given you this truth this body of information this this this. These things that you might know that you might become saved. And so the believer knows the truth and he believes it as such and yet the believer does not stop there.

He experiences a further element of saving faith, which is what we've caught or a census Ascent according to the doctor a Robert Raymond. He says it refers to the conviction that the knowledge that one has of Christ is true and that the provisions of the gospel correspond exactly to one's spiritual needs.

So we could say based on what what he is saying here that ascent is Cognition passed into conviction. They say that again Ascent is cognition. Passed into conviction the believer knows the truth and he becomes convicted that this truth is most appropriate for him and so saving faith is based upon both a knowledge of the truthfulness of the Word of God and a Conviction about those truths that they are most essential for his soul.

He must have them he becomes exercised about those truths. The believer is convinced that the truths he sees in scripture are going to meet his very his deepest spiritual needs and so the believer who has saving faith Ultimately embraces the infallibility and the excellency of the scriptures the scriptures become the believers ultimate authority for life and Godliness and now real saving faith not only believes the truth and a sense to it as such.

But it goes further. It doesn't just stop there. And this is really the the key that we're striving to in this lesson today.

I think so if I can and kind of throw a comment in here. What we're getting to now is the the actual trusting aspect of faith. We've dealt with knowledge. We've dealt with Assensus or the ascent to what has been demonstrated hence.

We have dealt with the mind. We have dealt with the emotions and now the volitional aspect of faith that which actually Exhibits trust and a movement of the wheel. I think this is probably the one of the most efficient Aspects of faith present in many circles now you and I were talking that some time ago.

Both of us come from circles where this aspect has been ignored and you know exactly what I'm talking about. There are many that promote what we call might call decision ism Which merely is an intellectual ascent to the truth.

In essence what they have done is switch the object of saving faith. They have switched the object of faith that is present in the gospel message. Whereas the New Testament presents the object of our faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So the facts of the gospel then becomes the object of the faith instead of the person of Christ himself. It's not to say that he is not. This is not to say that he is the object of our faith in spite of Obviously the knowledge we cannot know who we're trusting unless we know who he is truly.

But it is to say that he is in and of himself The object of our faith and not merely some facts about him. Now if I can Deviate just a second I'd like for for our listeners to perhaps take a look at John chapter 2 verses 23 to 25 where I think this is kind of demonstrated in which a Person can have knowledge.

There can even be some emotion behind that knowledge. They can quote-unquote believe Some things about Christ But truly not be saved and this is most clearly demonstrated in this passage in verse 23 of John's gospel.

John chapter 2 verse 23 We read now when he that is Christ was in Jerusalem at the Passover During the feast many not some not a few but many it says believed in his name Observing his signs which he was doing but Jesus on his part was not entrusting himself to them.

For he knew all men and because he did not need anyone to testify concerning man for he himself Knew what was in man? Now I kind of coined a phrase here that I hope doesn't offend too many people. But I think clearly seen in this passage you have believers Who are still children of the devil?

These men had faith they had seen the miracles. They no doubt had heard the objective testimony. They had heard the Lord minister the public ministry of our Lord. Yet all that we can see as demonstrated in their belief is based upon those things.

They had a notitia element of their faith. There was some knowledge their emotions were driven. But that was all Sad to say Sean if many of these men were attending some of our churches today They would have been the first to have walked out on the first course of just as I am.

They would have been the first to sign the card raise the hand you name it. They would have been the first to have been led into the prayer room. It would have been just a matter of time when they would have been pronounced as true converts, right?

Do you remember the text? I can't put my finger on it. But our Lord says many will come to me that and then that day and say Lord Lord If they have the terminology down they have that they have a certain knowledge there.

Lord Lord Did we not cast out demons in your name do not do many? Miracles in your name. And he says and I will say unto you depart from me you who? Workers of iniquity and This their salvation that these people coming before the Lord in the last day is based upon The things that they did this action that they were involved in did we not do these things.

And he says no I'm gonna say depart from me. What a scary thing to realize. And these people are there. They're trusting and what they've done.

There was no personal relationship either in the account that you're suggesting there and the one that is presented here, right? And why does why does the Lord not entrust himself to them because theirs was a spurious faith.

It was something less than saving faith. They had not reached the end of themselves in their sin so that they might abandon themselves to Christ. The text says he knew What was in man? They did not want him.

There's was not a desire to take up the cross and follow him. They were only interested in the miracles in John chapter 6 who had followed the Lord because of the feeding of the 5 ,000. They were after the bread.

They were after the miracles, but at the end of that passage when Christ Mandates that there must be this belief and a continuance in belief and that ultimately this is the divine act of God. It says in John 6 66 that many of his disciples forsook him and followed him no more.

They did not want him. They did not want to take up their cross and follow him. So it is this final aspect of faith that abandoned self so as to embrace trust. Flee and follow Christ no matter the cost.

I mean, let me finish with this Sean the the final aspect of faith, which is most understood when one realizes that this particular kind of aspect of faith that we're talking about is Supernatural and as folk who are part of the reformed circle.

We recognize that faith is a divine gift. And I think this is one of the reasons why this aspect of faith is so ignored and so Misunderstood in any other circles. It is a supernatural faith. That is not contrary to reason or knowledge.

The objective testimony is already there, but it is contrary to experience. It is not natural to believe something you have not seen or experienced. That is what separates this aspect of faith from mere intellectual ascent commonly referred to as decisionism.

One can believe some facts about Christ in his gospel. One can even show some great emotion here's you name it. But only the supernatural faith which scripture affirms as the divine gift of God is able to embrace Christ as Lord and Savior a Lord and Savior they have never seen it is this aspect of faith which abandons self so as to have Christ a faith which is empty having Absolutely nothing to commend to God seeking only to grasp and embrace the merciful hands of a loving Savior.

It also is a faith that is committed. There is no such thing as a non-committal saving faith. Nothing is more important to the sinner than having resting and trusting in his beloved Lord and Savior. This faith is ready to deny self take up cross and follow the Savior.

Amen.

Saving Faith as Knowledge, Assent, and Trust

We're coming up to a station break folks. We hope you'll stay with us. We'll be right back and we'll be taking your calls the second half of the show. To the dividing line. My name is Sean Hahn and I am sitting in the studio here with Simon Escobedo and we are both members board members of Alpha and Omega ministries and James White is out of town in st Louis preaching the gospel somewhere to some people and we're glad that you're with us today and we're talking about Saving faith a very important topic and it is definitely related to the Christian life and related to apologetics and everything else.

As we need for Christianity Simon but before the break you had mentioned Decisionalism and I wanted to just ask you before we get back to our lesson what that what do you mean by? Decisionalism and maybe our listeners aren't quite familiar with what that means.

And so can you elaborate on that just for a second?

Yes, basically Sean. Some have even coined the phrase decisional regeneration. It is the idea that basically a Person has been presented the facts of the gospel. And then as a result of that They're able now to make a decision and that in and of itself is what is sufficient and what they would call All that is necessary for saving faith.

In fact, if I can give be a little anecdotal here some years ago I was out at the Mormon conference and we were witnessing to an individual out there and This individual had stayed long after many of the other Mormons had left.

She had sat in on all the conversations and finally she had her opportunity now To present some questions to us and we spent quite a bit of time with her. Went through all the various issues and by the time it was through I was I was just heartbroken as you have had this the same experience to have been able to Not only expose some of the the errors within her own system, but accurately present Hopefully the truth of God.

Well as I was relaying this story to a co-worker who is a believer I remember he was just sitting on my every word so excited and and so forth and finally when I concluded it This is what he told me.

It was it was humorous, but also sad at the same time and you know, what's coming? He said well Simon. Did you get her to make a decision? You're right, right and I just looked at him and I said You know salvation is of the Lord.

Amen.

All I can do is present the truth of the gospel. And here he was and he was ignorant of the issues. I'm sure he didn't by that mean something that was Heretical in and of itself without actually examining the issues, but that basically is the idea.

Sean you presented some facts. You know a person goes into a restroom. He's got his little. Four spiritual laws present something to the guy in the bathroom and comes out shouting. Yeah, I just let somebody to the Lord.

You know, right that's basically behind decision and their their assurance of salvation would be based in the fact that they made a decision. Or that they walked an aisle or they checked the box or raised their hand or prayed a prayer.

Based their their salvation would be based in that thing that they did rather than the person in the work of Jesus Christ.

Absolutely. They're not resting primarily in something that Christ has done or in him himself, right? But on something they have done and if you were to question them perhaps let's say you're dealing with an individual.

Who like James to or first John to has a said faith? But doesn't really have a real faith and their lives are inconsistent with their profession and you confront them about that and you expose the fact that the nature of saving faith is demonstrative.

Basically what you're going to get in response to that. Well, I remember because I've had this many of the loved ones in my circle have said this. Well, I remember when I was seven years old and I cried my eyeballs out on the knees of my grandma Who just had shared with me that.

And I remember trusting in Jesus as my Savior and don't how dare you right? Try to insinuate that that was less than sincere, right?

Well before we forget I'd like to give our phone numbers out at at area code 602 two seven four 1360 or if you're calling long-distance, it's one eight eight eight five five zero.

1360 by the way, Sean, let me let me just say this at the break. Our president of Alpha Omega Ministries, mr Richard Pierce came in and informed us that our beloved Martin Minto had been listening to the program Marty Who Marty Minto, you know the name great theologian of the faith.

That's right. And Marty had said that I guess I had inadvertently Cited his the show incorrectly and I guess I called it straight live. It must have been there I guess so nervous or something, but Marty I apologize.

It is straight talk live. The the it what is it the in formative informative voice, right?

All right. Well back to our discussion we are trying to drive the point home that real saving faith is not just a matter of believing the truth and Ascending to it, but it goes further and it receives.

Real saving faith receives and rests in Christ. This is the crucial element of saving faith that we call fiducia or trust and this is what it is to truly Believe in Christ. A Jerome Zanke. Yes. He's an old dead theologian he says in saving faith, there is an active receiving of the truth of God and the God of truth.