SAVING FAITH

 

SAVING FAITH

Mark 10:23-27 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!" It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" NLT

One of my greatest challenges is to thread a needle. I have to really work hard at getting that little, tiny thread into that little hole. If I do manage to get it done, it's purely by chance after a period of great frustration and effort. My inability to do it keeps me from being able to get done what I need to get done in repairing a garment. If I have such a hard time with a tiny piece of thread, how much harder would it be if I were to try to push a camel through the needle's eye? It would be impossible!! I would never ever dream of trying such an impossible task. Jesus said that it would be easier for a camel to do it than for a rich person to be saved. He said that it is very hard to make it to heaven.

Wait a minute. This is not what we are used to hearing from our pulpits. Hard to make it to heaven? Why, all we have to do is mouth a few words right? If we believe the right message we don't have to worry about making it to heaven once we profess Jesus as our Savior, right? We may not live like a Christian should, but heaven is assured for all who believe, right? What is so hard about that? Perhaps Jesus was saying something we aren't accustomed to hearing.

Saving faith is a growing faith. It is a faith that is nurtured and exercised. It is an unending quest for the Lord's growing influence in, and control of, our lives. It is an unending pursuit of holiness. It is a passionate zeal for God. Saving faith is a fixation on Jesus, wanting always to please Him in all we do.

Saving faith is hard work. It occupies our living 24/7. There is no vacations allowed. Saving faith is a way of life. It is on the front burner with the heat constantly being turned higher. It is a relentless quest for grace and knowledge of our Lord. Don't buy into the lie that says that it's an easy road to heaven. It takes all the time and energy we have. But the wonderful thing about it is that the Lord gives us the strength and resources we need in order to do it. What is impossible with man is possible with God.

In fact, God says that anyone can be saved who wants to be and is willing to put their trust and confidence in Christ alone for their salvation. Salvation is a free gift from God, no one can earn it, it can only be obtained by accepting Jesus as Savior and then Lord of one’s life.