Faith in Jesus saves us

By  Rev Devon Dick

Tomorrow is Good Friday, when many Chris-tians remember the death of Jesus, the Christ, who died on behalf of sinful humans so that we can experience forgiveness and be made right with God. There are some persons who do not under-stand how someone becomes right with God. To be made right with God starts with faith in Jesus. Saving faith is the role faith plays at the beginning of our Christian walk. The Christian life begins when, through faith, a sinner accepts God's gracious offer of salvation.

Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" - the focus is on belief that does not rest on scientific evidence or material evidence, or based on the senses of sight, taste, hearing or touching. This saving faith is not primarily about doctrine, or a collection of beliefs. Saving faith is trust, dependence and com-mitment to God and His way.

sinful nature

Everyone needs to accept forgiveness for the sins that we have committed against family and friends. David was consciousness of his own sinful nature that he cried out, Ps 51:5, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me". David did not mean that the sexual act by which he was conceived was sinful in and of itself. It has nothing to do with whether David was born in wedlock or out of wedlock. It is not a reference to his parents' sins being passed on to him. It is not that God has infused humans with sin, since God is not the author of sin. Nor is the sin he speaks of any actual sin of his own. It is better to see it has been born in a sinful environment.

We have a human nature that has the capacity to sin. It has the propensity to sin. It is having the ability to sin. It is the natural and normal tendency of every human being to transgress God's Law, to fall short of His glory, to miss His high standards, and to fight against his will. Sin is in our human psyche, our human make-up.

the power of sin

This sin is not a reference to our daily moral lapses, character flaws and wrong thoughts, words and deeds. It is not primarily about telling a lie for your boss, a sexually immoral act with a friend, lustful thoughts, or stealing cookies, or speaking expletives or smoking a cigarette. Rather, it has more to do with the dominion of sin in our lives, it is the power of sin in our lives, and it is how sin controls us and entices us into immorality, depravity and hopelessness outside of Christ. It is about sin as the constant state of being in rebellion against God.

God created humankind in His own image so we would have the capacity for relationship with Him. God created us for fellowship with Himself. God took the initiative to effect reconciliation between sinful humans and Himself. He gave His Son to dwell among us and to offer His sinless life for us.

The exercise of faith in Jesus must be accompanied by repentance. By repentance, we have a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a personal decision to renounce sin, and a sincere commitment to forsake the sinful lifestyle and begin to walk in obedience to Jesus. Saving faith involves repentance.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul asserts, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast". We have to accept pardon.

God justifies and saves a person by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.