A great deal of religious confusion and division exists surrounding the meaning of faith. The Bible makes it clear that we are “saved by faith”. But to be clear, there are those who define faith to be nothing more than a mental agreement or acceptance of revealed facts, while others deny that “faith alone” is sufficient to save. It seems to me that the most consistent solution to this confusion is to allow Scripture to interpret itself and the fact is, saving faith always includes submission and obedience in order to be saving faith. The Bible tells us that even the demons believe (James 2:19) or have a measure of faith, but that it certainly isn’t “saving faith” or faith that leads to salvation. Satan knows the facts about God but he isn’t willing to submit to what knowing those facts demands. Faith that results in salvation is trusting and believing God strongly enough that whatever God asks – we do. If God tells us to build an ark in order to be saved from a flood, we build an ark (Genesis 6). If God tells us to get up and leave our home and go to a foreign country, we go (Genesis 12:1-4). If God tells us to dip in the Jordan seven times in order to be cleansed of leprosy, we do it (2 Kings 5). And if God tells us to repent and be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), we do it (Acts 2:41). Faith isn’t only accepting something as true, it’s also trusting God enough to do what he says.
