Reflecting on Truth #35
Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
A: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:4-6)
Why does this matter?
In my teenage years, I remember wondering why my grandfather, who at that time, had probably read more books about Christianity, and perhaps even more of the Bible than me, could not believe the gospel.
In my early 20s years, I remember wondering how I, someone who found the things of this world so attractive and so desired to pursue them, could confess that the reality of things was that there was a Creator God whom I had rebelled against and needed the salvation that He himself provides.
How do we come to faith and receive salvation through Christ? One pastor asks it as such: “How did I, a fallen sinner, come to love Jesus and believe his gospel where so many others have not?”
This catechism reminds us that our response, in faith, to the gospel is a gift of God. Without it, even if we knew what the gospel entails, we would reject it - “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18).
What does this mean for us?
It means I have nothing to boast in myself. I did not believe in the gospel because I was smarter, or more logical, or read and understood more, or was taught better. I believed in the gospel only because of the gift of faith graciously given to me by God. All of my salvation was all of His work. All of the glory that comes with my salvation belongs to Him. I have nothing to boast of, except in Him.
Remembering that Man is not the one who brings about repentance or conversion, but that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, also affects my approach to evangelism. I recall the many times I have left a conversation with unbelieving friends feeling like I could’ve said much more or that I wasn’t convincing enough. But as I strive to be clear, faithful and convincing in my evangelism, I remember that He is the one who grants faith. And so, I pray.
Praise God for the miracle that He has done in our lives, removing our hearts of stone and giving us hearts of flesh to respond to the gospel in faith.