The Object of saving faith

 

If you go around asking anyone concerning faith you will be amazed at the number of answers you will get from different individuals. Almost everyone knows about faith. Almost everyone believes in God save a few who think there's no such thing as God. However, the question is which God are we to believe in and what exactly are we supposed to believe about the "god". I was going through another man of God's book and he was narrating about his encounter with certain individuals who had their faith in different gods. He asked them why they believed in different gods and their response was strikingly surprising. They told him that they didn't want to lose salvation. So if one god couldn't save them the other would definitely do that. Such level of misunderstanding concerning saving faith is what we are experiencing in our contemporary world. Who should we believe in? Who shall we turn to for salvation? What really should be the object of the faith that saves? To find answers we have to search the scriptures perhaps we might gain insight on the subject. Bear with me my friend as we dive into the wells of wisdom from the the inspired Word. 

Let's turn to our theme scripture for this session:

Acts 4:12

[12]Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Maybe to give you a bit of a background on what this scripture is talking about let us turn back to the verses before this. That will also help us to answer the above questions. So after Peter and John had performed a miracle of healing a man crippled from his mother's womb, being arrested and standing in the courts they were asked

Acts 4:7

....By what power or by what name have you done this?”

Their response was:

Acts 4:10

[10]let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

And the following verse which is our key scripture is a continuation of these verses:

Acts 4:12

[12]Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

Apostle Peter being the one speaking these words to the people of Israel was expounding to them concerning the object of saving faith. The Jews believed in God just like many other people do today yet they had no understanding of the one Whom we should put our faith in for salvation. Peter says there is no salvation in any other name and worse there cannot in any universe be it heaven or earth any other name which can save them. And by them it also implies us. Man!!!! That is huge blow indeed. Wait a minute...I thought believing in other gods can save us as long we can have something to believe in? But according to scripture, only one name can save us. The question is which name? And the verses before this makes it clearer to us:

Acts 4:10

[10]let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

And verse 11 and 12 says:

Acts 4:11

[11]This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

Acts 4:12

[12]Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

The name is JESUS. It is the name through and by which man can be saved. Wow!! This is amazing. It is though faith in Jesus that the man who had been paralyzed received healing. But note that the major focus of the miracle wasn't to make people to make  "it" as their major focus but He (Jesus). The purpose of the miracle wasn't to draw people's attention towards people and the miracle but towards Jesus. Jesus was supposed to be their primary focus. It was not the miracle that was most important but the performer of the miracle who is JESUS. 

It is faith in the name of Jesus that salvation is obtained. Jesus is supposed to be the primary focus for every believer. Jesus should be the primary subject of the gospel that we preach. It's not miracles, signs and wonders that should draw our attention but Christ Himself. To support this point let us look at one or two scriptures as we wrap up this message:

John 3:16

(NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

You must be familiar with this scripture. According to this portion of scripture the object of saving faith is Jesus. He is the begotten of the Father and in Him is Life. When you believe in Him not in anything else you obtain erternal life. In Jesus is salvation obtained. And do you know what it means to have eternal life. It is not only limited to escaping hell but it also extends to having a close and intimate relationship with God. The Apostle: (John) explained this clearly when he wrote:

John 17:3

(NKJV) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

This a direct quotation from the source of scripture. Yeah. These are direct words from the Lord JESUS. How does he define erternal life. It is knowing God. Now this is not referring to head knowledge my friend. Everyone knows God. I mean facts about God. You ask anyone if they know God. Guess what? Almost everybody knows that a god exists somewhere. But when it comes to having a close relationship with Him. Well, only a few would give a positive response. And out of those few, a large potion is not so sure. But I have good news for you my friend, Jesus has established that for you. The more your faith is towards Him the more your relationship with God improves. God proved His love for humanity by making Christ to be a sacrifice for their sins. I don't know who you are my friend. You might not have received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He is more than ready to give you this erternal life. He is more than ready to shower His love on you. Will you surrender to Him and allow Him to offer life to you. In Him is your salvation secure dear friend. Maybe you were doubtful about your position in God. I am here to tell you dear reader that God loves you and He wants you turn to Him. Make Jesus the object of your faith. Focus on nothing outside you but JESUS. 

Until next time:

Written By Klevine Gerald