“By Grace are ye saved” - followed by Faith? Is Faith really the caboose at the end of the train, as many contend? Does Faith enter the spectrum of things only after one has repented? The argument given us that “repentance comes first, before Faith, is taken from Acts 20:21: “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the “proof” we are asked to accept! The order in this scripture is repentance, then Faith.
The difficulty here is the failure to see the scope of related scripture. When we isolate a verse and take it out of context we violate the law of study and are almost certain to engage in uncertainty in Bible interpretation.
While I have no intention of refuting popular teaching, I do propose to present Faith in a more comprehensive environment: Faith not only follows repentance, but also precedes it; in fact, encompasses the entire spectrum of man’s response to the call of God in redemption.
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you. . .Testifying both to the Jews and to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:20,21.
Notice the words placed in italics: preceding repentance and faith one must be shown; he must betaught; he must receive testimony as to the necessity for “repentance and faith.”
“Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” Rom. 10:16. In light of this verse we look at verse 17: “So then faith cometh by hearing;” But hearing what? The report. And from whence comes the report? By the Word of God.
“This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing offaith?” Gal. 3:2, 3:5.
“The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach” Rom. 10:8.
So we see that repentance will not, can not be wrought from the heart until there first is implanted the seed of the “Word of Faith” and a quickening of the seed, the “hearing of Faith”
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:10.
Actually, it is a “call” in response to a “call.” Before the sinner seeks the Savior, the Savior seeks the sinner. It is the Shepherd who must search for the straying sheep.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” Rom. 10:11.
The discerning eye will notice that Divine order is on many occasions, given in the reverse. The scripture is clear: hearing and believing precede the calling.
What is involved in the “call?” Is it not “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ?” “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. “Rom. 2:4
“For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God.” Eph. 2:8.(Notice again the reverse order.) Read it this way: It is the Gift of God, through Faith, that ye are savedby Grace. Again, “For by Grace are ye saved t h r o u g h Faith: as previously stated, ‘faith encompasses the entire spectrum of man’s response to the call of God in redemption.’
A common assumption is that one must first repent and only then does faith enter the picture. If this be true, then repentance must be accomplished in unbelief! If faith is not the instrument employed to bring repentance, then it must of necessity be classified as the work of the flesh! To say that one must first repent, to realize his enmity against God, to acknowledge his offense, to willingly throw down his weapons in surrender to God, in total abandonment of pride and self-will. . .and then will follow Faith?No, it is utterly impossible!
Man is in spiritual darkness; the Light of the “Word of Faith” must first illuminate his heart, else he will not, cannot come to a true, scriptural repentance.
“He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed. . .And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light. . .neither cometh to the light. . .But he that “doeth Truth” cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” John 3: 18-21.
What is “doeth truth?” Jesus explained it to an inquisitive crowd: “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” John 6:28,29.
“I. . .have showed you, and have taught you. . .testifying. . .repentance toward God, and faith towardour Lord Jesus Christ.” If the sense of this verse be carefully sought, we should see the sinner nowfacing the Father in repentance: having believed the “Word of Faith” he has turned from sin to God, inwilling Obedience!
We are given in Hebrews chapter eleven not only a definition of Faith, but also a very practical picture of the manner in which it works: “These all died in faith. . .having seen and were persuaded. . .andembraced. . .and confessed. Faith then, allows us to see the Truth, it persuades us of its authenticity: its capabilities extend not only to revealing the Savior, but likewise in convincing the sinner of his awful plight and of his desperate need! Only then is he willing to repent and embrace Truth and confess Christ as Lord!
The purpose of this article is not to attempt to give all the answers, but to raise enough questions, that only the Lord can answer; that will cause us to study the Word and seek Divine Wisdom from its Author!
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