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What is Saving Faith?
This is another attempt at answering great questions posed by @Prudence Louise. Along with Graham Pemberton, we are sharing ideas and thoughts on the reformation of Christianity.
Prudence didn’t ask the question directly, but her comment on one of my posts prompted me to ask myself the question: what is saving faith? And, is there such a thing? Her comment was:
“Some people expect God to be like a capitalist, saving souls in the most efficient way. But I think it’s more like a courtship, a loving exchange that necessarily happens one at a time.”
I completely agree with and love the analogy of a courtship. It reminds me of the great poem the Hound of Heaven. God is like a very persistent suitor. One whole book of the Old Testament, Hosea, is a graphic portrayal of this desire of God for unity and relationship with his creation.
Jesus was asked the crucial question by a young, wealthy up and comer: “What must I do to be saved?” Jesus’ answer has troubled probably just about everyone who takes the word of Jesus seriously:
“Sell everything you have and give to the poor.”
I haven’t done that, and I don’t know too many who have. Does that mean I am not saved? And what does “saved” mean, anyway? What could Jesus possibly have meant by this?
