'Of Saving Faith'
Chapter XIV
Of Saving Faith
I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]
II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,[6] trembling at the threatenings,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]
III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[10] may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[11] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[13]
Of Saving Faith
I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]
II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,[6] trembling at the threatenings,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]
III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[10] may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[11] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[13]
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Dear Friends,
I recently had a discussion with a friend which led me to wonder how does one know if they have saving faith? I then began to wonder how do I know if I have saving faith? Who should I ask for help in understanding this matter of great importance? Then I remembered it has already been answered in the Westminster Confession of Faith and I just needed to simply look it up.
I recently had a discussion with a friend which led me to wonder how does one know if they have saving faith? I then began to wonder how do I know if I have saving faith? Who should I ask for help in understanding this matter of great importance? Then I remembered it has already been answered in the Westminster Confession of Faith and I just needed to simply look it up.
I have been a confessional Christian for many years, and frankly I don't know what I would do without the historic confessions to lead and guide me as I experience and ponder just what it means to be a Christian and how should I now live as one. It seems to me many would be more wise, discerning, comforted and less tossed about by false teachers if they were to study and apply the historic Christian confessions and catechisms.
A good online resource for reading the historic confessions is Historic Confessions | Reformed Theology and Apologetics (formerly known as CRTA)*. I've been using this website as a resource for most of my Christian life and suggest others do so, too.
Praise the LORD for these precious resources He has preserved for all generations!
May you be blessed and may you find comfort and knowledge through the Christian Confessions our forefathers in the faith so wisely prepared for us. In Lord Jesus Name I pray, amen.
*Updated link 8.23.2024
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