The Problem with People Thinking that Faith is a Work; or, Why Human Volition Has Nothing to Do with Salvation

Every Christian knows that “faith in Jesus Christ” is essential to God’s plan of salvation. The outcome of the Christian’s faith is the salvation of one’s soul (1 Pet 1:9). A man is justified by faith (Rom 3:28); and he lives his Christian life by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20).

Jesus Christ is the originator of every Christian’s salvation (Heb 2:10). He is the author and the perfecter of every Christian’s faith (Heb 12:2). This means faith does not originate with the sinner’s will. It is not of himself; otherwise, he would arrogantly boast in the prowess of his decision, his choice, or his allowing Christ to save him by accepting Him. May it never be!

Faith is exclusively the work of God (Jn 6:29). It is God who gives the testimony concerning His Son (1 Jn 5:10); but not all people have faith in Christ (2 Thess 3:2). Because faith is granted to an individual person by God’s grace (Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29), it is simple logic that informs us that those without faith were not granted faith. Jesus explained this economy to a crowd of Jews, “But you do not believe because you are not My sheep (Jn 10:26).”

Faith is a product of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is one fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), the Spirit who is given to us (1 Thess 4:8), as a token of God’s exclusive love (2 Cor 5:5), poured out in our hearts (Rom 5:5). The power of God is the basis for our faith in Christ (1 Cor 2:5). More specifically, it is the Word of Christ which causes some to hear the truth, resulting in faith (Rom 10:17).

Each born again soul is allotted a measure of faith by God (Rom 12:3). Faith can increase or decrease based on one’s exposure to the Word (Lk 17:5; 2 Thess 1:3); but faith can never ultimately be lost because it is from God, comes through Christ (Acts 3:16; 1 Pet 1:20–21) and is handed down to the saints (Jude 3). The believer’s inheritance, that faith apprehends, is reserved for him or her in heaven (1 Pet 1:4).

Faith is given to believers (Gal 3:22), who were appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48). This means that God planned to give faith to those He predestined to adoption before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4–5), according to His predetermined plan and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23). He wrote their names in the Lamb’s Book of life and gave them to His Son (Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27).

In the terms of God’s covenant of grace, he who believes in Jesus is reckoned as righteous before God (Gen 15:6). The man who believes in Jesus Christ is not judged because he has been saved (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:18; Titus 3:5). There is no condemnation that remains (Rom 8:1) for him who has been declared not guilty by reason of Christ’s blood atonement at the cross. Grace applies that precious blood to those who were chosen for salvation (Rom 11:5; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Pet 1:19; 1 Pet 2:9) and purchased (Acts 20:28) at the required redemption price.

The unbeliever who dies apart from Christ is guilty of the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:31), being born condemned already because of sin (Jn 3:18; Rom 5:12). The Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ. He makes much of Christ. The unbeliever calls the Spirit a liar (1 Jn 5:10), however, as the Word of God is preached to him. The enmity is evidenced in today’s news cycle.

Faith is essential for pleasing God (Heb 11:6), which is the Christian’s ambition (2 Cor 5:9). Faith is also the Christian’s victory in overcoming the world (1 Jn 5:4). Hence, the child of God walks through life by faith (2 Cor 5:7), even as he walks by the Spirit (Gal 5:16) and in a manner worthy of being a child of God (Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1 Thess 2:12).

Our Christian faith is a common faith, received as a gift (Eph 2:8–9; 2 Pet 1:1). It is followed by good works prepared beforehand by God that we might walk in them (Eph 2:10; Jas 2:14–26). Those who accomplish much in the obedience of faith are often known throughout the world (Rom 1:5, 8).

Our faith is called, “a most holy faith” (Jude 1:20). This means it is set apart from whatever else men put their trust in for salvation from their sins. One must be transferred into the Holy One of God (Col 1:13). Stated another way, a person must be “in Christ” in order to have that faith that successfully endures fiery trials (1 Pet 1:7). Faith itself is a shield against the fiery darts of the devil (Eph 6:16).

To call upon the name of the Lord is an act of faith by one who is already faithful (Jas 5:15). People are encouraged to call upon the name of the Lord and to trust Him with all their heart (Prv 3:5–6; Acts 16:30–31; Rom 10:9–10); but only those born of God, that is, regenerated by the Holy Spirit will ever manifest faith to do so (Jn 1:12–13; 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3). Only those with God in them, willing and doing His good pleasure will work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12–13). These will boast in Christ, alone (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14) and take up their cross and follow Him on the narrow way of suffering (Mt 7:13–14; Mk 8:34).

Eternal life is for believers in Jesus, only (Jn 3:16; 14:6). Life eternal is given to believers as a gracious gift of God (Jn 10:28; 17:2; Rom 6:23; 1 Jn 5:11); even as faith is a gift of God, granted to God’s elect redeemed…by His grace (Gal 3:22; Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1). Faith is from God (Rom 11:36a), who began this good work of faith in every believer and who will bring His good work of faith to its proper end (Phil 1:6).

Understanding faith “in Christ” means we must discard the man-centered notion that sinners, dead in their trespasses and sins, are capable of self-generating that which is only from God. Faith is not a work of man (Rom 4:5). It does not have its origin in family lineage, nor in sinful flesh, nor in the decision making will of man (Jn 1:12–13).

Jesus Christ, the sovereign King of glory and ruler over all is not knocking at the door of sinners’ hearts, hoping someone will judge Him to be worthy as a guest (Rev 3:20 is about disobedient churches, not the salvation of souls); rather, He is showing the readers of the Bible how He saves His people from their sins, by His sovereign grace (Mt 1:21; Eph 2:8–9).

There is nothing good (like faith in Christ) in the spiritually dead sinner who is without God (Rom 3:12; Eph 2:12). Every intention of the unbelieving sinner’s wicked and deceitful heart is only evil all the time (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9). Further, God assesses the natural man’s “good” works to be filthy rags (Is 64:6). There is nothing good in the flesh or in the nature (Rom 7:18; Eph 2:3) of the sons of disobedience who are children of wrath (Eph 2:2–3).

It takes an act of God, a miracle by Him…even a new creation, to produce a believer in Jesus Christ. It is only by His gracious choice that a remnant of people is added to the commonwealth of true Israel (Is 49:1–6; Gal 6:16), which is the body of Christ, His church (Mk 16:18). As we have seen, no man is willing or even able to decide, choose, or accept Christ of his own volition because it is God’s will and decision to grant faith to whomever He chooses to accept into His family. Give thanks to God if you have faith in Christ, today, because He is the One who made you believe.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

August 1, 2023