by Theodore Wright.
 

I will show you my faith by my works. – James 2:18c (NKJV)

Partaking of the gospel to salvation is not merely an internal experience. It is an outward demonstration of saving faith. This turnabout to belief in God’s Son Jesus, resulting in obedient conduct to the law of God, is called “repentance”.
 

Mark 1:15c (NKJV):  “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Acts 2:38 (NKJV):  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:22 (NKJV):  “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”

Acts 16:31 (NKJV):  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 26:20b (NKJV):  “that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”

Romans 10:9 (NKJV):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 (NKJV):  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

The commandments of God are understood contextually, not cumulatively. Water baptism, prayer, evangelizing, doing works, confessing Christ, even calling on His name are all done as the result of receiving Christ by faith. These are not means, prerequisites, nor requirements for salvation. Acts demonstrating saving belief do not of themselves save us and neither do they save us in addition to our faith.

Romans 4:5 (NKJV):  But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

We are not saved by any work other than the completed work of Jesus Christ and His continual intercession on our behalf.

Hebrews 10:10 (NKJV):  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV):  Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Also, in the same, neither are we saved by an unproductive dead faith in Him as that would be false, licentious and counterfeit belief.

James 2:17 (NKJV):  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

The inward work of the Holy Spirit results in the good outward conduct of the Christian.

Philippians 2:12c-13 (NKJV):  work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

As salvation is within you, you let your salvation work out to show openly through your living faith in Jesus Christ. Your trust in God through His Son Jesus will continue to grow to new areas of your life.

True saving faith, by its own Spiritual nature, demonstrates itself.

Galatians 5:6 (NKJV):  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Thus, faith repentance is the requirement for salvation. Works of repentance are the result of such faith.

Acts 10:43 NKJV:  “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Acts 3:19 (NKJV):  “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”

Matthew 3:8 (NKJV):  “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.
Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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