Saving Faith Hebrews 10:38: “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:39: “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Observations: Heb. 10:38, “the just shall live by faith,” a quote from Habakkuk 2:3-4 (also quoted in Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11. In this context, “the just” are those who refuse to “draw back to perdition” (2 Peter 3:7; John 17:11; 2 Thess. 2:3) In contrast, they were such that “believe to the saving of the soul!”

Faith Defined: “Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for. –Substance (hupostasis); from hupo (under) and stasis (to stand). –Denotes that which is firm, reliable, sure. “The evidence (conviction) of things not seen.” –Based on evidence, produces conviction; involves “things not seen.”

Biblical Versus Unbiblical Faith: Biblical Faith: –Based upon divine testimony, John 20:30- 31; Romans 10:17. –Affirms that God “is,” Hebrews 11:6. –Affirms that the Bible is the word of God, Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Biblical Versus Unbiblical Faith (continued) Unbiblical Faith: –Often involves faith in faith. –Believes the power of faith is in the human mind, and in human potential. “Anything the human mind can conceive and believe the human mind can achieve,” Napoleon Hill. “You Can If You Think You Can,” Norman Vincent Peale.

How Saving Faith is Obtained: Negatively: –It is not obtained through the mystical, mysterious, direct operation of the Holy Spirit. –It is not obtained through some “better felt than told” inner feeling!

How Saving Faith is Obtained (Positively) John 20:30-31: “…but these are written that ye might believe…” Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Acts 15:7: “…that the Gentiles…should hear the word of the gospel & believe.” Acts 18:8; I Corinthians 3:5; 15:11, etc.

Observe: If “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” then matters of faith are matters upon which God has spoken. Our faith must stand “in the power of God,” I Corinthians 2:1,5; this is why we must declare “the testimony of God,” I Corinthians 2:1.

The Value of Faith – Evidenced by what it Does! Faith is essential to answered prayer, James 1:6. Faith is essential to character development, 2 Peter 1:5-7. Faith helps one resist Temptation, Ephesians 6:16. Faith affects how we live, 2 Corinthians 5:7 Faith gives access to God, Heb. 11:6. Faith Justifies, Romans 5:1. Faith gives Remission of sins, Acts 10:43. Faith is essential to eternal life, John 3:16.

Faith Provides these Blessings When Coupled with Obedience! Answered Prayer: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in His sight, I John 3:22. Character Development: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,…” 2 Peter 1:5-7.

When Coupled with Obedience: Resist Temptation: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…,” Matthew 26:41; cf. I Peter 5:8,9. How We Live: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life,” Romans 6:3,4.

When Coupled with Obedience: Access to God: “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city,” Revelation 22:14. Justifies: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only,” James 2:24.

When Coupled with Obedience: Remission of Sins: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38. Eternal Life: “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him,” Hebrews 5:8,9

Conclusion: There is much confusion regarding faith. The world is filled with unsaved believers! Faith Saves when Faith Obeys! Matthew 7:21; Romans 6:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9