Which Of The Following Are True? Which Of The Following Save One?

By Kenneth E. Thomas

  • Man is saved by hope.
  • Man is saved by grace.
  • Man is saved by faith.
  • Man is saved by mercy.
  • Man is saved by works.
  • Man is saved by baptism.
  • Man is saved by the word.
  • Man is saved by the truth.
  • Man is saved by obedience.
  • Man is saved by the gospel.
  • Man is saved by knowledge of the truth.
  • Man is saved by belief and baptism.
  • Man is saved by belief and confession.
  • Man is saved by calling on the name of the Lord.
  • Man is saved by the washing of regeneration.
  • Man is saved by being born of the water and the Spirit.
  • Man is saved by being faithful unto death.
  • Man is saved by God.
  • Man is saved by Jesus Christ.
  • Man is saved by the Holy Spirit.
  • Man is saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Everyone who is a member of the body of Christ has seen or heard a lesson like this one time and time again. Sometimes we call it “the chain of salvation” as we attempt to get folks to realize that all of these things are essential to one’s salvation! We dare not isolate one or more of the things listed in these twenty-one (21) things to which salvation is attributed. If and when we do, we aren’t properly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). When we “twist the Scriptures, it is to our own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16). The list could be lengthened of course, but this should suffice for our purpose in this article.

1. Yes, man is saved by hope — “For we are saved by hope . . .” (Rom. 8:24; Tit. 1:2).

2. Yes, man is saved by grace — “By grace ye are saved” (Eph. 2:5, 8; Tit. 2:11).

3. Yes, man is saved by faith — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31; John 8:21-24; Heb. 10:36-39; 11:6).

4. Yes, man is saved by mercy — “according to His mercy He saved us” (Tit. 3:5).

5. Yes, man is saved by words — “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).

6. Yes, man is saved by baptism — “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us . . .” (1 Pet. 3:21).

7. Yes, man is saved by the word — “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls” (Jas. 1:21).

8. Yes, man is saved by the truth — “They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” and “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”(2 Thess. 2:10; John 8:32).

9. Yes, man is saved by obedience — “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Heb. 5:9).

10.Yes, man is saved by the gospel — “I declare unto you the gospel . . . By which also ye are saved” (1 Cor. 15:1-2; Rom. 1:16-17).

11.Yes, man is saved by a knowledge of truth — “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4).

12.Yes, man is saved by belief and baptism — “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . . .” (Mark 16:16).

13.Yes, man is saved by belief and confession of Jesus — “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9; Acts 8:37; Matt. 10:32).

14.Yes, man is saved by calling on the name of the Lord — “. . . for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13; Acts 2:21).

15. Yes, man is saved by the washing of regeneration — “He saved us by the washing of regeneration . . .” (Tit. 3:5).

16.Yes, man is saved by being born of the water and of the Spirit — “Unless a man is born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5).

17.Yes, man is saved by being faithful unto death — “Be thou faithful unto death and ye shall receive the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b).

18.Yes, man is saved by God — “God our Savior; who would have all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

19.Yes, man is saved by Jesus Christ — “He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

20.Yes, man is saved by the Holy Spirit through the agency of his word — “. . . chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13-14).

21.Yes, man is saved by the blood of Jesus Christ —     “. . . without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.” “This is my blood . . . shed for many for the remission of sins” (Heb. 10:9; Matt. 26:28; Rom. 5:9).

Why so many folks are guilty of believing what one pas- sage says about salvation while ignoring others is amazing to me! I have a tract in which I cite quotes by two Baptist scholars who wrote about Acts 2:38, a passage teaching that “baptism is for the remission of sins.” Each of them affirmed that it sounds as if that passage makes baptism necessary to one’s salvation from past sins, but said these two scholars, “We know it can’t mean that for salvation is by faith alone.” The fact is, baptism is for the very same reason that Jesus gave his life’s blood, “for the remission of sins.” In Matthew 26:28 as Jesus was instituting the Lord’s supper he took the cup and said exactly that, “This is My blood of the New Testament which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.”

There is no passage which teaches that man is saved by “faith alone,” or “at the point of faith.” Many passages say we are saved by faith and my brethren and I accept every one of them and believe them wholeheartedly. If there was a passage that taught faith alone saves man we would believe it, but it cannot be found. The closest one to saying such says it isn’t so. It reads; “You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith alone” (Jas. 2:24). Notice it is “not by faith alone”! You see man cannot be saved by faith alone any more than man can be saved by baptism  only. Read carefully the list of things by which we are said to be saved. If you take one to the exclusion of others, you negate parts of the Bible’s teachings and cause the loss of your own precious soul.

When we look at the “Great Commission” given by Christ to his apostles found in Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16-16; Luke 24:45-49, then follow closely the apostle’s application of this commission as well as early evangelist who went about “preaching Jesus,” it falls into a logical sequence of steps leading into Christ and into his blood bought body where all spiritual blessings reside (Eph. 1:3; 2:13-17). Those steps are this: the gospel was to be preached so folks could be made to believe in the crucified resurrected and exalted Savior, Jesus Christ. Believing him to be the Son of God Almighty who made salvation possible when they asked what they must do to be saved it always involved the following even though not always specified. Hearing the gospel, believing said message about the author of our salvation, repenting of past sin and error, confessing with the mouth the faith held in the heart, and then the final act of the “new birth of the water and of the Spirit” was and is immersion into Christ and into the one body for the remission of sins (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47; Gal. 3:26-29; Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 22:16; 8:26-39).

Why not look at some of the cases of conversion in the Acts of the Apostles and compare them with the above as well as with the “Great Commission” as given by Christ to his chosen apostles.

  • Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47).
  • More Jews (Acts 3:14-19).
  • Samaritans (Acts 8:12-13).
  • Queen’s treasurer (Acts 8:26-39).
  • Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-6; 22:16).
  • Cornelius (Acts 10:1-4; 47-48; Acts   11:14).
  • Lydia, a seller of Purple (Acts 16:12-15).
  • Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:25-34).

A Plea And An Admonition!

May I again insist that you must conclude if you honestly study this matter that a series of steps toward Christ are involved beginning with being taught the gospel or hearing; then believing; then repenting of sin and error; then confessing faith in Jesus as God’s Son. Then the final act which is a part of the “new birth” of water and Spirit, baptism, immersion, in order to have one’s sins remitted, and by this same process entering into the “one body” that cost Christ his shed blood, his church (Acts 2:38, 41; Gal. 3:26-29; Rom. 6:3-6; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:13-17). This made folks simply and only Christians, children of God who now have Christ as their high priest and one intercessor between kingdom citizens and the Heavenly Father (Heb. 4:12-14; 1 Tim. 2:5-6).

Miraculous Versus Divine Healing

By Bobby Witherington

I believe in modern divine healing, but I do not believe in modern miraculous healing. Without a doubt, the opening sentence to this paragraph and to this article will cause some to question either the sanity or the integrity of the writer thereof. Perhaps the more charitable readers will assume that the writer was distracted when he wrote that sentence, or they may decide his computer made a mistake. However, lest some conclude that I really did not intend to say what I just said, I will say it again — I believe in modern divine healing, but I do not believe in modern miraculous healing.

“But,” you ask, “how could a person believe in the one without believing in the other?” Others may ask, “Isn’t all divine healing miraculous in nature?” In my judgment, the more thoughtful might respond by asking, “What is the difference between divine healing and miraculous healing?” In reply, we shall first make some comments regarding:

Miraculous Healing

A miracle cannot be explained by the ordinary workings of natural law. In order for a miracle to occur there has to be an alteration, suspension, or superseding of natural law. For ex- ample, by simply appealing to natural law and the processes thereof there is no way to explain how Jesus walked on water (Matt. 14:25), the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43, 44), the sun standing still for a whole day (Josh. 10:12, 13), raging fire having “no power” over the bodies of three Jewish captives (Dan. 3:27, 28), the waters of a sea dividing and forming a “wall” on the right hand and the left with the dry land in the middle (Exod. 14:21, 22), feeding 5,000 men on five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6: 9-11), etc.

Miracles of healing which occurred during some of the times alluded to in the Scriptures, are just as impossible to explain simply by appealing to the processes of natural law. For example, how do you take natural law and explain Naaman’s leprosy being completely cured by his dip- ping seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:14)? In like manner, please explain how a severed ear, by a simple touch (involving no stitches), could be “healed”( Luke 22:50, 51). By the same token, please explain the healing of a “withered” hand (Matt. 12:10- 13), fever going away by the mere touch of a hand (Matt. 8:15), and how Jesus could heal the paralyzed without so much as entering the house (Matt. 8:5-13), or village wherein lay the afflicted (John 4:46-54). Explain how Peter, with neither bandage nor medication, could heal an “over forty” year old man of lameness, and who had been thus afflicted “from his mother’s womb” (Acts 3:1-8; 4:22). And while you are at it, please appeal to natural law and explain how washing in a pool (after having one’s eyes anointed with clay mixed with saliva) can result in a grown man (blind from birth!) being able to see (John 9:1-11). But not only were miracles of healing unexplainable by the usual processes of natural law, they were also instantaneous and complete. When Jesus met blind Bartimaeus, and said to him “your faith has made you well,” he “immediately . . . received his sight” (Mark 10:46-54). When Peter said to the lame man “in the name of Jesus Christ . . . rise up and walk,” and then took “him by the right hand and lifted him up,” his feet and ankle bones “immediately . . . received strength” (Acts 3:6, 7;  cf. Mark 1:42; Matt. 8:13; 20:34; John 5:8, 9, etc.).

Also it should be pointed out that Bible miracles were recognized as being just that — miracles! The Egyptians of Moses’ day did not deny the genuineness of the ten plagues which God brought upon them. Even the enemies of Jesus Christ asked, “What shall we do? For this man works many signs” (John 11:47). The enemies of Jesus Christ rejected his authority, accused him of blasphemy, and resisted much of his teaching, but not once do we read of anyone denying the fact of his miracles! Yes, on occasion they accused him of performing his mighty works through “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Matt. 12:22-24), but the fact remains that they admitted the miraculous or supernatural nature of his works.

Yes, miracles were performed by Jesus and certain other selected servants. And, yes, there were miracles of healing (Acts 23:8), and even the raising of the dead in response to prayer (Acts 9:40, 41). We do not deny a single Bible miracle. We believe they all occurred. Nor do we question the power of God. In fact, God is “Almighty” (Gen. 17:1). I believe God has the power to hatch grown elephants from eggs laid by sparrows, but I deny that he produces elephants in such a manner! God, who is all powerful, is also a God “who cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2). Hence, because of the integrity of his very nature “He can- not deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). He will not circumvent his own law (Isa. 55:11).

The Purpose and Duration of  Miracles

Regarding purpose, we point out that whether they were Old Testament or New Testament miracles, they were designed to produce faith (Exod. 4:1-8; John 20:30, 31). Through the miracles Jesus performed Nicodemus concluded that he was “a teacher come from God” (John 3:2).

As to duration, it should be observed that miracles (of healing, prophecy, tongues, etc.) belonged to that time period while the Bible was yet incomplete. They were designed to authenticate the message of inspired men (Mark 16:17-20; Heb. 2:2-4). In other words, the age of miracles coincided with the age of inspired men. Hence, in New Testament times miracles were performed by Jesus, by his apostles, and by the 70 whom the Lord personally sent out (John 20:30, 31; Matt. 10:1; Luke 10: 17-19). After the church was established miracles were performed by the apostles (Acts 5:12-16), and by those upon whom the apostles laid hands (Acts 6:5-8; Acts 8:5, 6; Acts 19:6). Moreover, Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would reveal “all truth” to them (John 16:13), and the apostle Paul taught the cessation of the miraculous upon the completion of divine revelation (1 Cor. 13). Though the lack of space forbids our enlarging at this time upon these vital facts, we do affirm that miracles, having accomplished their purpose of confirming the revelation of God, have ceased.

Divine Healing

God created us in his “own image” (Gen. 1:27). We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). The human body, organizationally speaking, consists of cells, tissues, organs, and systems (groups of organs designed to carry on special bodily functions peculiar to those systems). Reportedly, the adult human body contains an estimated “60,000 bil- lion cells,” with the shape of the cells being “related to their function,” and in the nucleus of each cell are DNA molecules that carry “the genetic information necessary for the replication of each cell.” And each cell “has been engineered to make a specific part of the body” — all of which manifest indisputable evidence of divine design. And, because of divine design, the human body is amazingly adaptable to the multitudinous situations and environments to which it is subjected, and is similarly responsive to the millions of disease-producing organisms to which it is exposed. To a great degree, the body is a self- healing organism. Scratch the paint on your new car, and time and rust will make it get worse. Scratch your finger and in a few days (because the body functions according to divine design), it will be completely well. In the course of a life time on many occasions we all get sick and then get well — often without seeing a doctor or taking medication. In view of who made us, of how we are made, and the healing we often experience from our infirmities, could we not call this “divine healing”?

Prayer and Providence

A study of the Scriptures reveal that God is a God of providence. He provides in abundance. And our God both hears and answers prayer (1 John 3:22; 5:14). With faith in God’s ability “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20), we seek his help in all areas of our lives, and, yes, we also beseech him in times of sickness (2 Cor. 12:7, 8; 3 John 2). And the same God who responded to Hezekiah’s prayer, adding health to his body and years to his life (2 Kings 20:1-7), is able to do the same for us. The power of God that works through natural law in causing seed to germinate and eventually yield a rich harvest, is equally as able to work through penicillin to destroy infection. If God can work through his people to save the lost (Rom. 1:14-16; Phil. 2:13), he can also work through physicians (Matt. 9:12), “medicine” (Prov. 17:22; Jer. 30:13), and surgery (Mark 9:43-45) to heal the sick. When divinely authorized means are used and divine laws are honored, in keeping with the body’s divine design, and healing occurs, can we not call it “divine healing”? And if God, through prayer and natural remedy (2 Kings 20:7) affected a cure in Hezekiah’s case, he can do the same today. After all, God is the one who so richly provided in nature those remedies that promote physical healing. And through his providence, the usage of these remedies, and the “effectual, fervent prayer” of the righteous (Jas. 5:16), those afflicted with life-threatening illnesses, over a period of time, are often made well. Miraculous healing? No! Divine Healing? Yes! Indeed, our God is a good God!


Why Another School Shooting?

By Jarrod Jacobs

What is the problem? Why these shootings? Put simply, it is because God has been removed from the home and from people’s lives!

Recently, we were informed of the tragic news of two boys in Colorado entering their high school and shooting thirteen people, including a beloved teacher, and then themselves. Now, investigations are showing that these boys may have had accomplices, as well as having a plan to “blow-up” the school building! These boys were not the first to do such a horrible thing, and I am afraid that they will not be the last.

Why has such a thing occurred? Why has tragedy and death visited such a town as Littleton, Colorado, a seemingly quiet and peaceful town? People are blaming many things for the terrible actions that have occurred. As I watched news reports concerning the shooting in Colorado, I noticed that there were three basic conclusions that people came to as they tried to figure out the answer to the question, “Why?”

The three reasons given for this shooting are: (1) A lack of gun control. Teens and others can obtain guns too easily. (2) The exposure to violent video games, violent movies, TV shows, etc. People watch this violence and then act it out. (3) Some said that the boys in Colorado, as well as teenage shooters from other areas in recent years, lashed out and shot others because they were being teased. They were being made fun of, and the teens couldn’t handle it. Therefore, they implemented a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Perhaps you heard other “reasons” for the shootings, but these three were the main ones that kept creeping up every time an “expert” or psychologist was asked “Why?”

I am by no means an expert, nor a psychologist, but I believe I understand why the shooting in Colorado, as well as the other school shootings occurred. It was not be- cause of the three reasons we listed above. Those are mere symptoms of the problem. It is like a cough associated with bronchitis or pneumonia. A doctor may prescribe medicine for a person’s cough, but until he prescribes medicine for the bronchitis or pneumonia, the problem will remain within the body of the sick person. In like manner, gun control, violent video games and movies, and teasing are symptoms of the problem. If someone was able to “cure” these symptoms, the problem would still remain in this country.

What is the problem? Why these shootings? Put simply, it is because God has been removed from the home and from people’s lives! Too many in the U.S. are like the Gentiles who “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28). Seeing that God is not allowed into the homes of people, it follows that his word is not respected. His law for marriage, his law for raising children, his law for dealing with others, has been pushed away completely in too many cases! When people are not brought up with a love and respect for God and for his word, then what is there to hold these people to a higher standard? What is there that reminds people, both young and old, that they are account- able to One higher than them (Eccl. 11:9-10; 12:13-14; Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; Acts 17:30-31)? When we push God aside, we push his will aside as well!

We are inundated with messages teaching the false theory of evolution, that we are descended from monkeys and other lower forms of life. It is proclaimed in schools, on TV, in the newspaper, and in magazines that man is nothing more than a glorified monkey. Friends, if we are telling our children day in and day out that we are nothing more than glorified apes, don’t be surprised when they act like apes! By proclaiming the false theory of evolution as fact, we are saying that human life is on an equal plane with the life of any animal from slug to salamander, from monkey to mammoth, from elephant to iguana! If this is true, then truly human life has no value, and you could shoot a person down just like you’d shoot an animal, or step on an ant!

In truth, human life has value because man has been created in the image of God (Gen. 2:7). Human life has value because God said it has value (Gen. 9:6; etc.). Humans are greater than animals, for Christ died for man’s salvation, not the monkey’s (Matt. 16:26; 20:28; Heb. 2:9)!

Now, when we put God back in his rightful place (first place, Matt. 22:37-39; 6:33!), then the symptoms we dis- cussed earlier will go away. Just like when a doctor treats a person’s bronchitis or pneumonia, the coughing will cease! When God is in his rightful place, people will treat others as they want to be treated, and the teasing will cease (Matt. 7:12). For those who do endure some teasing, when they respect God’s word, they will realize that the prophets, Christ, the apostles, and others endured far worse. They endured “trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment” (Heb. 11:36). Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and learn what the apostle Paul endured. If he endured it, you can be sure others did as well! When God and his word take first place in our lives, we can endure others teasing us, and do so without resorting to violence against others (Matt. 5:39)!

When God is brought back into our homes, we will not want to watch violent video games, TV shows, etc. When God is first in our lives, we will want to think upon “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.” We will want to think on things that have “virtue” and are “praiseworthy” (Phil. 4:8). Why will this be a voluntary act? Why will we want to think on pure and upright things rather than the debased, defiled, and violent things? It is because when God and his word are put first, we will realize that “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man . . .” (Matt. 15:18- 20). We will not want to play violent video games, for they are not conducive in any way to our going to Heaven (Col. 3:1-2)!

Finally, the subject of gun control is a symptom many in this country think is the end-all to school problems. This country was founded by those who owned guns. In fact, our founding fathers fought and killed others in order to bring about freedom in this country. What about the following generation? Were there historical records where the sons and daughters of these people brought their muskets and muzzleloaders to their one-room schools? No. Why? Because of the very principles we have established thus far. That is, respect for God and his word. In times gone by, the people of this country had a respect for God and for their Creator that is not seen today. At least it is not the “norm” as it has been in times past. When God is put back into the homes, and his word is respected, people will respect guns as well. Guns can be used in hunting, in certain recreational sports (ex: skeet shooting/target shooting), and other things. Guns can be used for protection, such as the policemen wear. In all of this, guns have their place, and would not be used to intentionally, mercilessly, cold-heartedly, shoot and kill another for no reason. Why? Because with a respect for God comes a respect for his creation. You cannot say you respect and love God and then destroy the greatest of his creation for no other reason than your feelings were hurt, or you wanted attention, fame, glory, etc.!

Brethren, it is high time we stopped taking the “cold medicine” and administer the cure for the problem! How much does your son or daughter know about God’s word? Is God respected in your home? Is he even invited in? These are the questions that ought to be asked at such a terrible time as this. Our hearts, prayers, and sympathy are extended to those who have lost their loved ones. It is a tragedy to see teenagers killing each other. Yet, for all of this, the answer to our problems is not found at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The answer to our problems is not found in federal, state, or local legislatures. The answer to our problems is not found in how many bombs we have aimed at our enemies, nor how many puppet regimes we can stomp down. The answer to our problems is not found in a psychology book. These things do not give us the answer, nor is this where the strength of our country is found. The answer to our problems is found in the Book of Books, the Bible! It is high time we realized this and started back on that road that leads to everlasting life (Matt. 7:13-14)! So long as we are satisfied to treat “symptoms,” the shootings will continue and get worse, the immorality in our society will get worse, and respect for life will continue to fall. When will we learn?

Faith Abuse

By Don Wright

Any claim of faith in something that has not been revealed in the word of God is a false faith.

Faith is required of all those who would please God (Heb. 11:6). To have faith is to believe in something that you cannot see with the physical eye (Heb. 11:1).

While faith is indeed important and crucial for the salvation of the soul, some have abused the idea of faith which has led to some erroneous and harmful conclusions. You see faith must be based on the word of God. Paul said, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Any claim of faith in something that has not been revealed in the word of God is a false faith. Allow me to give you a few examples:

1. Faith and healing the sick. There have been some tragic stories of parents who have watched their children die, not willing to give them proper medication because of their belief that God would heal them miraculously. That misplaced faith comes from not understanding the scriptural teaching on miracles. The Bible affirms that miracles were set forth for specific reasons, the primary one being to confirm the word of God (Mark 16:19, 20; Heb. 2:3, 4). That was very necessary before the perfect revelation of God was delivered in written form; but once the Bible was complete, miracles ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-13). The Bible does not affirm that miracles were to be permanent. Instead it affirms, in the passage cited above, that they would cease sometime before hope and faith would vanish. In this way hope and faith are superior to miraculous gifts. Now since hope and faith will exist until this world ends, miracles must cease sometime before that point. Again, that time was with the completion of God’s perfect revelation. So, when one stands by, in the name of faith, and watches one die of some physical illness when it can be prevented, it is certainly an abuse of faith.

2. Faith and God’s providential care. Certainly God provides for his children. Jesus taught us not to worry about the future and what we should eat and with what we should be clothed (Matt. 6:25-34). God does take care of us providentially. But we must remember God’s will on providing for ourselves too. We cannot in the name of faith just sit back and wait for God to feed and clothe us. Paul said, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess.3:10). In many passages of Scripture we are commanded to work. For a man not to work and then say, “But don’t worry God will take care of us,” is to have faith in something that God has not revealed. That is faith abuse!

3. Faith and salvation. Some people abuse the idea of faith when it comes down to salvation. If one obeys the gospel as set forth in the Scriptures, he has the right to have confidence in the fact that his past sins have been forgiven by God. Obeying God’s plan of salvation results in obtain- ing the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). But when one follows the doctrine of man, i.e., some plan that originated with man and cannot be found in the Bible, he has no right to hope for salvation. He might say, “I am sure about my salvation because I have faith in God.” But did not James remind us that even the devils believe and tremble (Jas. 2:19)? It is not everyone who believes that is going to be saved, but everyone who does the will of God (Matt. 7:21-23). When one has not followed the instructions of the Spirit as revealed in the word of God, but believes he is saved nevertheless, it is a misplaced faith. Jesus is only the author of salvation to those who obey him (Heb. 5:8, 9).

Don’t abuse faith. Don’t have a misplaced faith. We can only have real faith in those things that are revealed in the Bible. When one thinks that God is impressed with a faith that has no scriptural foundation, he is sadly mistaken. For again, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”