It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

True Faith

The last two articles have considered the subject of "faith." We learned God's Word says that "without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

When we consider these two passages in relationship to the verse which appears at the head of each article - "Fear God, and keep his commandments" - what conclusion do we reach? Is faith a suggestion? Or a commandment? Most would say it is a commandment. Some believe and teach that "faith" alone is the necessary requirement for salvation. Some teach a person must have an "experience," that is, a dream, or something of that nature, to prove their salvation. Some teach the infant and very young are "lost." Is an "experience" required of the very young? Some teach that if a child, too young to know right from wrong or to believe, dies, he is lost. Does the Bible teach such? The answer is "no"! The Bible teaches one is lost when he refuses to obey the commands of the Lord. Notice Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." How does "faith" come? By an "experience"? By the "experience" of knowledge of God's Word.

It is clear that man does not receive faith in God and Jesus Christ by an "act of nature." Perhaps you've seen the commercial giving the remedy for heartburn, brought on by a "hot dog" at a ball game. Food and drink can also bring on unexplainable dreams. God has given to us "one way" to be saved, and all must be saved that way. Faith - true faith - causes all of us to believe and obey the same thing in the same way. To illustrate: most parents have attempted to assemble a toy purchased for their child. A diagram came with the toy, showing how to assemble it. Perhaps a parent chose not to follow the diagram, and the result is a useless toy and a disappointed child! Such is the case with faith. Saving faith causes one to believe and obey all of God's commands, not just the ones we decide we want to obey, or the ones "our" preacher tells us we should obey. Jesus said, "if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). In Luke 13:3, He said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." In Matthew 10:32, "whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." And, in Mark 16:16, Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

Friends, if we exclude any one commandment of God or His Son, we do not have a faith that will save us. Please accept all of the Word of God, and not man's word!