Article November 14, 1914 Issue

"Saved through faith"

WILLIS F. GROSS

The question of salvation is one which concerns all mankind, even though the majority may have a vague, indefinite sense of just how much it includes. With many persons the term is more vitally associated with the future than with the present. The thought of a future salvation seems to be quite well established, but a present salvation is often believed to be more a matter of theory than of actual experience.

Lack of understanding as to what salvation includes and when it can be experienced, has made possible the many conflicting theories as to how much or how little is required. Because of this disagreement there may seem to be conflicting statements in the Scriptures concerning the things that are necessary to salvation. There is the word of Paul and Silas to the keeper of the prison, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." In his letter to the Ephesians Paul wrote, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

These texts seem to support the conclusion that faith is all that is necessary. There are other texts, however, which very clearly indicate that something more than faith, or mere believing, is required. Jesus said to his disciples, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Many good works are necessary to keep his commandments. James declared that "faith without works is dead," and it must be evident that there is no salvation in a dead faith. It is written, that when Jesus the Christ had fulfilled his mission, "he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Paul wrote the Philippians: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

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