You have to wonder how many sincere people have never stepped into the that wheelbarrow, but continue to find security in their 'saving faith'. (Yesterday’s message)

So what does ‘saving faith’ even look like, and how can one tell if they really have it?

Does one simply have to ‘say they believe’, (in order to be ‘saved’) or must they ‘REALLY...believe ‘in their heart’... that ‘Jesus is the Son of God who died on a cross for their sins and was raised from the dead...’? And while we’re here, can you explain the difference between ‘belief’ and ‘faith’, or what it is we are even ‘saved from’?

Trust me, it’s not like this question or topic hasn’t been discussed, debated, and broken down and analyzed before in most church circles, so this shouldn’t be a ‘new’ take on an age old point of contention when it comes to discussing matters of ‘saving faith’ in the Christian church. But it might be worth your time to at least look at scripture through a ‘fresh set of eyes’ today and hopefully clear up any confusion you may have had on the matter. I’m guessing for most, the issue was already settled long ago in your heart and you are firmly convinced and unmoved, that you are ‘right’; it is by ‘grace through faith alone’ that we are ‘saved’ (Eph. 2:8).

We read where the prophet Habakkuk wrote: ‘The just shall live by faith’ (2:4) and we see his words quoted repeatedly through the NT letters (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).

That phrase, “the just shall live by faith” ...became the central tenet of Martin Luther’s theology that led to the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500’s. You may have heard about him and how his ‘epiphany’ brought serious change to the ‘business as usual’ theology that had been spread by the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. (Did you know Luther 'evolved' into becoming anti-semite?)

The message is firm: “No one is justified by the law in the sight of God, this is clear -for the just shall live by faith” (Gal. 3:11)

But does that really explain what ‘faith’ actually is, or what it looks like?

It’s usually about now that people’s eyes begin to glaze over and their brain begins to go numb before they want to toss up their hands in defense, declaring they have no interests to wade any further in to such ‘theological discussions’; and therefore they are just going to ‘trust God and do the best they can to live a good life to the best of their ability’ while resting in the belief that a loving God would not deny them from going to heaven when they die’.

And while I’m not interested in arguing with anyone who takes that ‘sincere’ position, I would only want to point out that even ‘sincere people can be sincerely wrong’, because what we do when we take that particular stance is we set in place our own ‘standard of righteousness’, or what we see to be ‘required’ for one to ‘go to heaven’. This was the problem many of the Jews fell into that Paul points out in Romans 10:1-3, how despite having a ‘zeal for God, it was not according to knowledge; and being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God’. (doing what’s right in God’s eyes- Deut. 6:18)

Did you catch that part about how their zeal was not based on ‘knowledge’? And why does God say His people are being ‘destroyed’? (Hosea 4:6)

So let’s try this: You are in a crowded department store when you hear fire alarms going off and then an announcement over the speakers informing you the building is on fire... and to make your way to the exits immediately. IF....you truly believe those words, are you going to continue shopping, or are you going to heed the instructions and make your way out immediately? If you were quickly heading to the nearest exit, and saw someone casually rummaging through some ‘sale items’ on a rack, you might feel compelled to ask them if they heard the warning. If they smile and assure you that they did, you might then be inclined to ask them if they ‘believed’ what they heard, because their ‘actions’ don’t seem to suggest they do. And your questioning them is probably rooted in a genuine concern for their safety, would you not agree?

But if they smile in response to your follow up question, assuring you once again they do ‘believe’...but want to 'wait for the crowds to ease up some' as they casually move in the direction of the exits while glancing over other items that catches their eye...their ‘indifference’ might be puzzling. And I will come back and address this idea of ‘indifference’ later.

Another scenario to consider. You’ve been hiking in a national park or forest and ended up off the trails before coming to terms that you are ‘lost’; and you wander aimlessly for a few days and nights before realizing you are in a dire predicament. Fortunately, you were reported missing by loved ones and a search party is in full operation as numerous volunteers and park rangers set out and are looking for you. When you come across one of those rangers, relief sweeps over you as you quickly consume some much needed water and food they offer you. They then inform you that they can lead you out and back to ‘civilization’ where your family is waiting to see you. Why, you might even think to yourself: “I’m saved!” Then, wanting to reassure you that all is going to be well, the ranger might ask you...”Do you believe I can lead you out of here and back to safety?”, wanting to win your confidence. Once you have nodded in agreement, they then instruct you to “follow” them.

IF you really believe them...are you going to ‘follow’; or are you going to go with your ‘gut’ and take another route, not wanting to fully trust the one who came to rescue you?

Is it really ‘enough’...to ‘say you believe’...if you are going to pursue your own route with the hope you’ll make it back alive? Why would anyone in that scenario be reluctant to put their trust in the park ranger and follow him back to safety? And what good would it do you to just sit down on a log or boulder and repeat over and over that you are now ‘saved’ because you ‘met the ranger’...if you are not willing to get up ...and follow them?

Jesus asked a group in one place: “Why do you call me Lord, and not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46). And why such an earnest warning to “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away’? (Heb. 2:1). That can’t really happen...can it...where someone 'drifts' away?

Join me tomorrow?