This week Bro. Leo continues us on a study of Biblical faith by looking at Biblical saving faith.
Jesus defines “saving faith”, in Luke 8:15, as “having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience”. The word “patience” is translated from the Greek word “hupomonē” which means endurance, constancy: – enduring, patience, patient continuance. Saving faith continues, lasts, endures and produces fruit.
In the parable of the four soils, three out of the four soils do not get saved (Luke 8:11-15). In order to understand the difference between the first three soils and the fourth soil we have to understand the definition of the Greek word “pistis” which is translated to “believe” in Luke 8:13. “pistis” has a two part definition, 1) a mental assent to or acceptance of a set of presented facts about something or someone, 2) to entrust, place dependence on and to commit to. There’s a difference between believing about something and believing in something. Three of the soils believed about Jesus but only the fourth soil believed in Jesus. In Luke 8:15 the word ” keep” is translated from the Greek word “katechō” which means to hold fast, seize upon, take possession of with permanence. Saving faith changes our life. When we grab hold of Jesus, He grabs hold of us (John 10:28-29). Saving faith will continue and endure, just believing about eventually turns away (Heb.10:38-39, 1John 2:18-19).
Saving faith enters us into a loving relationship, with Jesus, where we desire to be obedient to Jesus (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, 10, Rom.7:18, Luke 8:15). It is our obedience to Jesus that proves to ourselves and those around us that we possess saving faith (James 1:21-22, James 2:18). God knows our heart and knows when we have saving faith and then He gives us the Holy Spirit and purifies our hearts by saving faith(Acts 15:7-9, Eph.2:8-10, Phil.1:6).
Saving faith creates a desire in us to follow Jesus. In the Scriptures Jesus is recorded saying “follow me” 15 times (Mat_4:19, Mat_8:22, Mat_9:9, Mat_16:24, Mat_19:21, Mar_2:14, Mar_8:34, Mar_10:21, Luk_5:27, Luk_9:23, Luk_9:59, Luk_18:22, Joh_1:43, Joh_10:27, Joh_12:26).
https://waynecountybiblecenter.....com/2021/05/17/5-16
