The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-18
Saving Faith.

An old pensioner lately accosted gentle-
man who was, likely himself, taking morn
ing walk, and without any introduction or
ceremony, put to him the question, 'Sir, can
you tell me what is saving faith?"
The gentleman paused for moment, sent
up desire to heaven for wisdom to speak
word in due season, and answered, "Saving
faith is to believe the Word of God so as to
act upon it.
AS the pensioner made no reply, but ap-
parently waited for some further explanation,
the gentleman added, "Let me try to give
you an example from what might happen in
things concerning the body. If you were
afflicted with sore disease, and if you had
said, DO you know of any remedy by which
I may be cured?' and if I, after hearing
description of your complaint, should say,
Yes, indeed there is person living up the
hill yonder, who has cured many who were
afflicted with the same grievous complaint,
and who is willing to cure all who come to
him, without charging them anything for it,
how would you show that you believe my
words? Would it not be by going at once to
the person named, in order that you might
obtain the cure you so much desired? Thus
your faith in my words would lead you to
act upon them, and take you to him who had
the desired remedy"
The pensioner seemed deeply interested,
and the gentleman continued: "Well, just
so does saving faith act in that which con-
Germs the soul. When the Holy Spirit has
convinced man that he is sinner in the
sight of holy God, that the wages Of sin is
death, and that he is in danger OF perishing,
then the awakened sinner puts up the cry of
alarm, What must | do to be saved? Then,
as convinced sinner, he hears the glad It'd
ings of great JOY which God has commanded
to be preached or proclaimed to every crea-
ture: God so loved the world that He gave
His only-begotten Son, that whosoever be-
lieveth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. When ne hears this faith
full saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners, even the chief, and learns that
the Saviour invites all who labor and are
heavy laden to come to Him, and promises
to give them rest, saving faith, the work of
the same Holy Spirit, receives the good
news; and the awakened soul is soon brought
nigh to his God and his Father, confessing
his sins, and thanking them for his unspeaka-
bic gift.
"Thus, you see, saving faith believes the
Word of God, acts upon it, comes to, or what
is the same thing, receives the Saviour. And
% how blessed is the result! for we read in
the first chapter of the Gospel of st. John,
AS many as received Him, to them gave
He power to become sons of God, even to
them that believe on His name. And to
prove to US that this great change is the
work of the Holy Spirit, it is added: (Which
were born, not of blood, nor of the will of
man, but of God" The old pensioner
thanked the gentleman, and went on.
All if Christians realized more fully what
God has done for them, and the position in
which they stand by saving faith, how much
more joyful, and how much more holy, would
they be- for the Spirit of God led the Apos-
tie to add, "Every man that hath this hope
in Him purifeth himself even as Heis pure.