Saving Faith
Saving faith is demonstrated by a working faith that leads to practical obedience and a deepening relationship with God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that saving faith is an active and transformative force in a believer's life, compelling them to grieve, combat, and resist sin while fostering a deep relationship with God. This faith leads to a life of diligent service, joy in pious duties, and a serious commitment to God's work. Brooks warns that any faith that does not produce action is dead and ultimately deceptive, leaving individuals short of salvation. He asserts that true saving faith is characterized by its liveliness and effectiveness in producing good works.
Text
Saving faith puts the soul upon grieving for sin, upon combating with sin, upon weeping over sin, upon trembling at the occasions of sin, upon resisting temptations that lead to sin, upon fighting it out to the death with sin, Zech. 12:10. Saving faith puts a man upon walking with God, upon waiting on God, upon working for God, upon wrestling with God, upon bearing for God, and upon parting with anything for God. Faith makes pious duties to be easy to the soul, to be delightful to the soul, to be profitable to the soul. Faith makes the soul to be serious and conscientious in doing, to be careful and faithful in doing, to be delightful and cheerful in doing, to be diligent and faithful in doing.
That faith which is not a working faith is not saving faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a dead faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a deluding faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a worthless faith; that faith that is not a working faith will leave a man short of heaven and happiness in the latter day.
That faith which accompanies salvation is a working faith, a lively faith, and not such a dead faith as most please and deceive themselves with forever.
Sermon Outline
- Characteristics of Saving Faith
- Practical Outcomes of Saving Faith
- Walking with God
- Waiting on God
- Working for God
- Wrestling with God
Key Quotes
“That faith which is not a working faith is not saving faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a dead faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a deluding faith; that faith which is not a working faith is a worthless faith;” — Thomas Brooks
“Faith makes pious duties to be easy to the soul, to be delightful to the soul, to be profitable to the soul.” — Thomas Brooks
“Faith which accompanies salvation is a working faith, a lively faith, and not such a dead faith as most please and deceive themselves with forever.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Practically apply your faith by walking with God, waiting on God, and working for God.
- Make pious duties easy, delightful, and profitable by trusting in God's power and guidance.
- Be conscientious and diligent in your obedience, knowing that faith makes it possible to do so with joy and cheerfulness.