Saving Faith

03.24.09

J.A. Matteson

"If indeed you continue in the faith…." Colossians 1:23

That which God ordains as holy remains holy unto the Lord in that positional sanctification is a sovereign work of God and does not depend upon the merit of its object, “For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And even if what is holy suffers desecration—such as the temple by Nebuccanezzar—it does not diminish its intrinsic holiness; that which is holy is holy perpetually, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)—“us” in whom the Holy Spirit tabernacles.

The Apostle employs the term “saints” before his readers, “To the saints….” (Colossians 1:2) reminding them that by grace they have been set-apart as God’s people to His service and purposes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; that they have been bought with a price and are not their own; that they have been mercifully rescued from the authority and domain of Satan, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13), and that the outworking of their deliverance—its validation or proof to themselves and others—is evidenced by a transformed mind resulting in a renewed life—the distinguishing mark of which is a persevering faith which does not diminish, but steadily grows deeper, manifesting good works which God foreordained, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (Colossians 1:21).

To the reprobate sanctifying grace possesses both a curious magnetic and repulsive characteristic. The Lord Jesus illustrated the magnetic attributes whereby a temporary outward piety, void of inner regeneration by the Holy Spirit, eventually manifests the bitter fruit of apostasy (Mark 4:1-9); the Apostle John reiterates the Lord’s dire warning, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19). Saving faith—that which the Holy Spirit supplies—does not renounce Christ by apostasy. Beloved, what is the basis of your assurance that you are in Christ? Is it your confirmation, baptism, church membership, service, tithe, or some past “decision” for the Savior? Do you not know that apart from a vital living faith that these things are dead works, the end result of which is eternal damnation? The unpardonable sin is unbelief and those who belong to Christ cannot—rendered unable—forsake Him, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9).

The power of the Seed which indwells the saint saves and the same power secures unto eternal life. The saints of redemptive history have all displayed an abiding faith until death, one which does not perish. For many their testimony is one of unspeakable suffering at the hands of wicked men, many joyfully choosing horrible deaths while scorning the suggestion of apostasy by their perpetrators—this is the saving grace of the Holy Spirit. Shall we speak of Abraham, Noah, David, Joseph, Samson, Gideon, or the Apostles? The epitaph of Scripture to the enduring faith of such men declares, “And all these, having gained approval through their faith….” (Hebrews 11:39).

And beyond them we could speak of Polycarp, John Huss, Martin Luther, Jim Elliott, and countless others. The Scripture declares that, “…the righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). The faith the prophet speaks of is not mere knowledge of theological propositions, but an intimate growing relationship with the risen Lord, the great I AM. Biblical faith daily seeks to work out its salvation with fear and trembling, hating sin, and puts no confidence in the flesh for salvation, while at the same time earnestly desiring to be pliable in the Potter’s hands so that the sweet fruit of good works unto the glory of God will be evident to all men. The holy ones of God, while imperfect and who stumble, die in a state of faith; this is the testimony of Scripture and Church history, “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

Beloved, let us offer thanks and praise for His marvelous grace to save and to keep!

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