Faith

The other response the Holy Spirit brings about is faith or belief. What and Who we are believing in matters.

The Bible says that even the demons believe [in God] and shudder, (James 2:19) and we know that they are not saved. The belief that God is real, Jesus came to earth, or even that Jesus died and rose again is not enough to bring about salvation.

True faith is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8), and has both conviction and assurance (Heb. 11:1). The faith God gives opens our eyes to see that more than believing Christ died and rose again, I believe He died on account of my sins, paid my debt, and secured my salvation. It’s acknowledging that I needed saving, and Christ accomplished it for me.

John 3:16&18 says. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

True faith is believing in Jesus as He is shown in Scripture. It is clinging tightly to what He accomplished. It is taking God at His written Word. It’s easy to believe in a “god” of our own making, but we must believe in God as He reveals Himself in Scripture. Here, lies genuine faith.

This faith spurs us to actions like repentance and good works. (Hebrews 11; James 2:14-26). Good works don’t save us, but follow after salvation, as faith continues to move in our hearts. (Ephesians 2:4-10.)

Faith and repentance work hand in hand in response to the Gospel call. This is so beautifully and clearly illustrated in this quote by A. W. Pink:

“Repentance is the hand releasing those filthy objects it had previously clung to so tenaciously. Faith is extending an empty hand to God to receive His gift of grace. Repentance is a godly sorrow for sin. Faith is receiving a sinner’s Savior. Repentance is revulsion of the pollution of sin. Faith is seeking a cleansing therefrom. Repentance is the sinner covering his mouth and crying “Unclean, unclean!”. Faith is the leper coming to Christ and saying, “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.”

Friend, if you haven’t been saved, today is the day. Come before God through prayer. He will not turn away a repentant sinner, but will fulfill His promise to make you a new creation. (John 6:37; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12