From time to time, especially when there has been some tragedy or natural disaster, I see people interviewed on television who say that they are relying on their faith to get through it. And I wonder, what are they putting their faith in? Are they talking about the kindness of strangers or their eternal salvation? I know I’ll never know!
What I do know is that many people quietly wonder about eternal salvation, thinking, “What if I do not have enough faith to be saved?” It is an understandable fear, especially when faith feels weak, uncertain, or mixed with questions. But the good news of the gospel is that salvation does not rest on the strength of our faith. It rests on the strength of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
Faith does not save us because it is somehow impressive or worthy. Faith is not a good work that earns God’s favor. It is simply the open hand that is willing to receive the gift God freely gives. The saving power is not found in our faith itself; it is found in the Savior in whom we place our faith.
Jesus saves. His perfect life, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His resurrection are the foundation of our salvation. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment our sins deserved. God made Christ, “who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT). Our standing before God is based on Christ’s righteousness, not our own.
This is why we should never think, “My faith makes me righteous.” Faith is not our righteousness; Jesus is. Righteousness is credited to those who believe in God, “who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:24, NLT). God counts believers righteous because they are united to Christ by faith. Faith is the channel through which we receive Christ and all that He has accomplished for us.
Think of faith as trusting a sturdy bridge. Your safety does not depend on how confidently you walk across it. It depends on whether the bridge is strong enough to hold you. In the same way, salvation does not depend on having flawless confidence or never experiencing doubt. It depends on Christ, who is fully able to save everyone who comes to Him.
Charles Spurgeon wrote: “It does not take a strong faith to save you, just faith. The weakness of your faith will not destroy you. A trembling hand may receive a golden gift.” Even weak faith, when it is placed in the strong Savior, receives the same gracious salvation. The important question is not, “How great is my faith?” but, “In whom am I trusting?”
The object of faith is everything. We are not saved by believing in ourselves, by being sincere, or by trying harder to become good enough. We are saved by trusting Jesus Christ alone. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NLT). When the jailer in Philippi asked what he must do to be saved, Paul and Silas answered plainly: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31, NLT).
Romans 3 makes this message especially clear. God makes people right with Himself “when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (Romans 3:25, NLT). We are “made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22, NLT). This righteousness is available to all who believe, because all have sinned and none can earn acceptance with God.
Paul also said that we are “made right with God by his grace as a gift” (Romans 3:24, NLT) through the redemption Christ Jesus accomplished. A gift cannot be earned. If we could earn salvation through the quality of our faith or our religious efforts, then we would have something to boast about. But God has excluded boasting. We are made right with Him through faith, “not by obeying the law” (Romans 3:28, NLT).
Faith is essential, not because it earns salvation, but because it is how we receive Christ personally. A person who rejects Christ refuses the only Savior God has provided. But the person who comes to Jesus—even with trembling, questions, and a weak sense of assurance—can rest in Him. Jesus does not turn away anyone who trusts Him.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT).
Just place your trust in the Lord Jesus. Salvation is not found in the strength of your faith. It is found in the strength of your Savior.
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org
Appendix: Scripture References (All from NLT)
“Who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT). “Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:24, NLT). “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NLT). “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31, NLT). “When they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (Romans 3:25, NLT). “Made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22, NLT). “Made right with God by his grace as a gift” (Romans 3:24, NLT). “Not by obeying the law” (Romans 3:28, NLT). “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT).