p. 467 | Saved by Faith by Methodist Recorder

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 30.

Saved by Faith.

By Methodist Recorder

Does a single act of faith save a man? This depends upon what we mean by being saved. If we refer to the guilt and condemnation of past sin, a single act of faith in Christ will save the soul—secure its justification and peace with God—bring it out of darkness into light—out of condemnation into a state of divine favor. And, if it is the final act of life, it will save the soul forever. Such an act may be compared, in some respects at least, to an act of naturalization, by which an individual forever renounces his allegiance to one State and assumes allegiance to another, and is thereby received into an entirely new and different state of citizenship. Whether he shall prove a good or bad citizen, worthy of the protection of the State, or deserving of its punishment, is another question.

So a single act of faith brings a man into a state of divine favor, makes him a child of God and an heir of Heaven; but in order to retain the divine favor and his state of sonship and heirship he must continue to believe in Christ, and, as the fruit of that faith, render obedience to all his requirements. That one act of faith must grow into a habit of continual, abiding trust. No works, no acts of outward obedience, without faith in Christ, can save us; but at the same time, "faith without works is dead." Good works necessarily result from a living, active faith.

All the good acts, well-pleasing to God, that any man performs, are the result of his faith; for "without faith it is impossible to please God." Faith and good works sustain to each other the relation of cause and effect. The latter is dependent on the former. When we cease to believe God, we cease to obey him from proper motives and in a right spirit. Hence it is truly said, "By grace are ye saved, through faith." So, also, we are urged to "fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." —Methodist Recorder.