The Bible says that we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. For Christians throughout the centuries, from the apostle Paul to Martin Luther to John Wesley, this truth—that we are saved by faith—has been transformational. Yet there are many people today who “believe in Jesus” whose lives do not seem much affected by that belief. Perhaps it is because quite often people do not fully grasp what faith is.

The New Testament tells us the following:

• We cannot make ourselves worthy of salvation. Salvation comes to us by grace—God’s unmerited beneficence. Although we are unworthy, Christ brings us salvation as a gift, which we receive through faith.
• Faith is not simply intellectual assent—holding an idea about Jesus. It is trust in Christ. It involves not only the head but the heart.
• Faith is thus a movement of the spirit that puts us into personal connection with Christ. In means taking hold of the hand of salvation that Christ extends to us.
• Such faith results in following Christ in a journey of Christian living, such as we see in the disciples.
• The Christian life includes three key elements—spiritual formation (personal growth), spiritual fellowship (sharing with others), and good works (joining with Christ in ministry). These elements are not the requirements for a connection with Christ; they are the result of a connection with Christ.
• If these elements are not present in us, there must be something wrong with our connection with Christ! As the apostle James put it, “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:7)
• Authentic faith is life-changing, for it brings us into a connection with Christ that transforms and empowers our life.

May we respond to Christ in faith, and let the Lord bring us into real life as His disciples!

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Mark 1:16–20
Colossians 1:19–23
Romans 10:9–10

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