John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God has blessed us with the wonderful gift of salvation, and God could have saved everyone, but He wants us to come back to Him. We make this “journey” by faith. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” The Hebrew writer adds, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Under the old law, God could not save a person because the law demanded perfect compliance. In Romans 4:15, the law “worketh wrath” instead of producing peace (Ephesians 2:17). Therefore, there must be a better way by which we can be justified. That better way is faith! When we turn to God in faith, we are doing His will. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).
One final point that deserves mention is that we are not saved by faith alone. Some have taken Ephesians 2:8 (“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”) and said that faith is the only requirement for salvation. However, this verse, like all verses in the New Testament, must be understood in their total context. James 2:21-24 says that we are saved by God’s grace (no one denies this) and by our works (repentance, confession, baptism, and faithful living).
Kyle Campbell
