D. The Gospel Held Fast

PERSEVERING IN FAITH

Saving faith has the capacity to continue to trust in God, in the Gospel message and the promises of His word, not just for a short period of time, but for the duration of life, through all the trials and tribulations that this life will bring. Jesus spoke of certain people who initially received the Gospel message with gladness but in time wavered to the point of abandoning their new faith. Jesus at times taught the people in parables, and the following parable speaks to the topic we are considering.

And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; {4} and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. {5} “And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. {6} “But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. {7} “And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. {8} “And others fell on the good soil, and yielded^ a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. {9} “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9)

This parable along with others that Jesus told would be hard to understand had Jesus not explained their true meaning. On this occasion, Jesus explained the meaning of this parable to His disciples and we can with them learn what it means.

“Hear then the parable of the sower. {19} “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. {20} “And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; {21} yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. {22} “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. {23} “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23)

Here Jesus describes what happens when the Gospel message is preached. People’s hearts are described by different types of soil that the seed of God’s word might fall upon. Perhaps the apostle Paul had in mind the man who was like the rocky places. This man’s “faith” was only temporary (vs 20-21), for after receiving the gospel message with joy, in time, when trials and tribulations came his way he waivered and fell away. It is important then for a person to realize that his faith will be tested and to be ready for that time, not allowing doubts or any other trial to derail his faith. James encourages believers to consider such tests a joy, as they can ultimately be the means of producing much needed endurance.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. {4} And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

The apostle Peter also encourages his readers to realize that the proof of genuine faith, which becomes evident only in the midst of trials, is to be considered more precious than gold!

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, {7} that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6-7)

The author of the book of Hebrews also recognizes how essential endurance in genuine faith is and instructs his readers in this way:

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. {14} For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; (Hebrews 3:13-14)

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. {37} FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. {38} BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. {39} But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:36-39)

For anyone who believes in Jesus and begins to follow Him, there will be trials and tribulations. Jesus Himself told us as much, but He also told us to take courage because He will be there to help us and strengthen us in those trials so that we can overcome those trials and stand firm in our faith!

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

We hold fast the Gospel when we maintain our faith even in the midst of trials and tribulations. But perseverance in faith also means that we persevere in the obedience of faith! Our faith is tested when our resolve to continue in obedience to Jesus is tested. The believer is called to continue in obedience to Christ no matter what the cost.

Peter explains that God had chosen them in order that they might obey Jesus Christ.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen {2} according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. (1 Peter 1:1-2)

Paul exhorts his people to continue to work out their salvation by consistent obedience to God:

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (Philippians 2:12)

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews warns his readers of the very real possibility of falling short of God’s blessing through unbelief and disobedience:

Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. {2} For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. …..{6} Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, …..{11} Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:1-2; 6; 11)

Finally, Peter describes certain people who had made some initial commitment to follow in obedience to God which resulted in some degree of observable change in their lives. However, these same people allowed themselves to become entangled in sin once again. Instead of repenting of this sin they were overcome by it and returned once again to live in persistent and willful sin, turning away from a life of obedience to God.

For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. {21} For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. {22} It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

We are not called to perfection but perseverance! The new believer in Jesus will stumble and fall into sin over and over again, BUT, he knows that God is merciful and compassionate, and we are told in scripture that if we confess our sin that God will forgive us and restore us to fellowship with Him, so we can continue on our journey of faith and obedience! (1 John 1:9)

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS

Genuine faith, saving faith, according to James is demonstrated by some type of outward response on the part of the person exercising this faith and results in obedience to God and good works.

What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? {17} Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. {18} But someone may well say, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” {19} You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. {20} But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? … {26} For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-20; 26)

If a person claims to put their faith in Jesus, receiving Him as their Lord and Savior, and yet there is no evidence of a life of obedient faith, can this type of “faith” save them? According to James faith without some kind of outward evidence of real change is useless. So then, while salvation comes through faith and not works, it is important to recognize that genuine faith is characterized by good works and obedience to God.

We learn then that tragically some might initially embrace the Gospel only to fall away in time. We might say that these people have “believed in vain” but in the end, they have rejected the Gospel. But there are others who reject the Gospel in no uncertain terms. Please continue to the next topic, “The Gospel Rejected”.