What role does faith play in achieving salvation?

Faith is central to the Christian understanding of salvation. According to Biblical Christianity, salvation is received through faith, which is the means by which an individual is justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified. To fully understand the role of faith in salvation, it is essential to explore its definition, its relationship to grace, its object, the process of salvation through faith, the evidence of genuine faith, and the assurance it provides.

1. The Definition of Faith

1.1 Faith as Trust and Belief:

In the Bible, faith is primarily understood as trust and belief in God and His promises. The Greek word for faith, "pistis," can be translated as "faith," "trust," or "belief." Hebrews 11:1 provides a biblical definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith involves a confident trust in the truthfulness of God’s Word and the reality of things that are not yet visible.

1.2 Faith as Personal Commitment:

Faith in the context of salvation is not just intellectual assent to doctrinal truths but involves a personal commitment and reliance on YAHshúa (Jesus Christ) as Savior and Lord. James 2:19 points out that even demons believe in the existence of God, but saving faith goes beyond mere acknowledgment to include a personal relationship with Christ. It is a trust that leads to a transformed life.

1.3 Faith as the Response to God’s Revelation:

Faith is a response to God’s self-revelation, particularly as revealed in the person and work of YAHshúa. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." God reveals Himself through His Word, and faith is the appropriate response to that revelation, embracing the truth of the gospel and trusting in Christ for salvation.

2. Faith and Grace in Salvation

2.1 Salvation by Grace through Faith:

The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Grace is God’s unmerited favor, and faith is the means by which that grace is received. Faith is not a work that earns salvation but the channel through which God’s grace is applied to the believer.

2.2 Faith as the Instrument of Justification:

Justification, the act of being declared righteous before God, is received through faith. Romans 3:28 asserts, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." Faith is the means by which the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, resulting in their justification. It is faith, not works, that justifies, as seen in the example of Abraham, who "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3).

2.3 Faith as a Gift from God:

While faith is something that individuals exercise, it is also described as a gift from God. Philippians 1:29 states, "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake." This indicates that even the ability to believe is enabled by God’s grace. This understanding emphasizes that salvation is entirely of God, from start to finish.

3. The Object of Faith

3.1 Faith in YAHshúa the Christ:

The object of saving faith is YAHshúa the Christ. Acts 16:31 commands, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Faith is not a vague trust in a higher power but is specifically directed toward YAHshúa, who is the Savior of the world. It is faith in His person—fully God and fully man—and in His redemptive work—His death, burial, and resurrection—that brings salvation.

3.2 Faith in the Promises of God:

Saving faith also involves trust in the promises of God as revealed in Scripture. 2 Peter 1:4 speaks of the "exceedingly great and precious promises" given by God, which are embraced by faith. These promises include the assurance of forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and the future hope of resurrection. Faith rests on the reliability of God’s Word and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

3.3 Faith in God’s Character:

Faith is also trust in the character of God. Hebrews 11:6 declares, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Faith recognizes God’s goodness, love, and justice, and it trusts that God will act according to His nature. This trust in God’s character is foundational to a believer’s relationship with Him.

4. The Process of Salvation Through Faith

4.1 Hearing the Gospel:

The process of salvation begins with hearing the gospel. Romans 10:14 asks, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" The proclamation of the gospel is essential for faith to arise. The gospel message, which centers on the life, death, and resurrection of YAHshúa, is the means by which God calls individuals to faith.

4.2 Conviction by the Holy Spirit:

Faith is preceded by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 says, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." The Holy Spirit exposes the reality of sin, the need for righteousness, and the certainty of judgment, leading individuals to recognize their need for salvation. This conviction is the Holy Spirit’s work in bringing a person to the point of faith.

4.3 Repentance and Faith:

Salvation involves both repentance and faith. Repentance is a turning away from sin, while faith is a turning toward Christ. Mark 1:15 records YAHshúa’s call, "Repent, and believe in the gospel." These two aspects are inseparable in the process of conversion. True faith is always accompanied by repentance, and repentance is always motivated by faith in the gospel.

4.4 Justification by Faith:

Upon exercising faith in Christ, the believer is justified—declared righteous before God. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justification is a legal declaration by God, where He imputes the righteousness of Christ to the believer, thereby reconciling them to Himself. This is a once-for-all act that occurs at the moment of faith.

4.5 Sanctification Through Faith:

Faith also plays a critical role in sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy. Galatians 2:20 emphasizes the believer’s ongoing life of faith: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Sanctification involves daily trusting in Christ and His power to transform the believer’s life.

4.6 Perseverance in Faith:

The Bible teaches that true faith will persevere until the end. Hebrews 3:14 encourages believers, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." Perseverance in faith is evidence of genuine salvation. It is the Holy Spirit who sustains the believer’s faith, ensuring that they continue to trust in Christ throughout their life.

5. The Evidence of Genuine Faith

5.1 Good Works as the Fruit of Faith:

While salvation is by faith alone, genuine faith will produce good works. James 2:17 asserts, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." These works are not the basis of salvation but the evidence of a living faith. Ephesians 2:10 explains that believers are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Good works are the natural outflow of a life transformed by faith in Christ.

5.2 Obedience as a Mark of Faith:

Obedience to God’s commands is another evidence of genuine faith. 1 John 2:3-4 says, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." True faith is not mere lip service but is demonstrated through a life of obedience to God’s Word.

5.3 Love as the Expression of Faith:

Love is the defining mark of genuine faith. Galatians 5:6 teaches that "faith working through love" is what matters in the Christian life. Jesus commanded His followers to love one another as He has loved them (John 13:34-35). Love for God and others is the natural expression of a heart that has been transformed by faith in Christ.

5.4 Perseverance in Trials:

Genuine faith is also revealed through perseverance in trials. 1 Peter 1:6-7 speaks of the testing of faith, "that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Trials refine and strengthen faith, demonstrating its authenticity.

6. The Assurance of Salvation Through Faith

6.1 Assurance Based on God’s Promises:

Faith provides assurance of salvation because it rests on the unchanging promises of God. 1 John 5:13 assures believers, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." The certainty of salvation is grounded in God’s faithfulness to His Word and His promise to save all who believe in Christ.

6.2 The Witness of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit also gives assurance to believers. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." This inner witness of the Holy Spirit confirms the believer’s identity as a child of God and assures them of their secure standing in Christ.

6.3 The Security of Faith:

The security of the believer is tied to the nature of saving faith. John 10:28-29 records YAHshúa’s promise: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand." True faith results in eternal security because it is God who keeps the believer in Christ.

6.4 The Hope of Glory:

Faith also assures believers of the hope of glory—eternal life in the presence of God. Colossians 1:27 speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This hope is a confident expectation of the fulfillment of God’s promises, including the resurrection of the body and life everlasting in the new heaven and new earth.

Conclusion

Faith plays a crucial role in obtaining salvation according to Biblical Christianity. It is the means by which God’s grace is received and the basis for justification, sanctification, and glorification. Faith is defined as trust and belief in YAHshúa the Christ, embracing His person and work as the only hope for salvation. It is through faith that believers are united with Christ, justified before God, and transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Faith is not a work that earns salvation but is a gift from God, and it must be directed toward the right object—YAHshúa and the promises of God. Genuine faith produces good works, obedience, love, and perseverance in trials, demonstrating its authenticity. Faith also provides assurance of salvation, based on the promises of God, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the security found in Christ.

Understanding the role of faith in salvation deepens the believer’s reliance on God’s grace, inspires a life of trust and obedience, and strengthens the hope of eternal life. It is the heart of the Christian experience and the means by which the believer enters into and continues in a saving relationship with God.