Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 109:435 (Jul 1952)
Article: Paul’s Use of the Word "Faith" Part 3
Author: Martin O. Massinger

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BSac 109:435 (Jul 52) p. 256

Paul’s Use of the Word Faith
Part 3

Martin O. Massinger

(Continued from October-December Number, 1951)

Faith in Relation to the Christian Life

In the preceding instalment some of the features of saving faith have been outlined. The exercise of saving faith, as we have seen, results in regeneration. The individual passes from death unto life, the new life imparted by God. In this new life faith is of greatest importance, just as it is in the receiving of the new life. We shall see, as we proceed in our study, that faith in its essential characteristics is always the same. But the function of faith in regeneration and in the process of the new life is not the same. In the former the act of faith is one single event, whereas in the latter it is a continuous attitude. In the former the individual trusts God’s word that His Son died as his substitute, and that he is justified on the basis of the satisfaction thus accomplished. In the latter the individual trusts God’s word in relation to the many and varied problems of daily living, thus receiving strength for the task of the day, wisdom, courage, and deliverance from the power of Satan.

As one ponders this distinction between the exercise of saving faith and the exercise of faith in relation to the Christian life the question arises, What happens if a person, having received salvation by faith in Christ as Savior, fails to exercise faith in meeting situations that arise in the course of his daily life as a Christian? Will he be unsaved again? Without entering into a thorough discussion of this matter, suffice it to say that the new life imparted by receiving Christ is eternal life, and the faith of the one already

BSac 109:435 (Jul 52) p. 257

saved—or his lack of faith—has nothing to do with his continuing in salvation. Such passages as John 10:27–29 and Romans 8:28–39 make it plain that nothing can separate a true believer from his heavenly Father. If there is a lapse in the exercise of faith, surely grave results will follow. Defeat and loss of testimony, along with loss of joy and peace in the Lord, will result. The Lord will chasten, but He will not relax His hold on the one whom He has purchased with the blood of His own Son, regardless of the shame and disgrace of his defeated life.

In our study of faith as manifested in the course of the Christian life, let us turn first to consider the source of this faith. Just as in the case of saving faith, here too we see two elements that are well-nigh impossible to reconcile to the satisfaction of our human reason, yet both of which we know to be true and important ...

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