Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
What is Saving Faith? (Part 3)
The Westminster Confession of Faith states:
3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong [k]; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory [l]: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ [m], who is both the author and finisher of our faith [n].
The Apostle Paul speaks of the favour of God upon him that enabled him to be His servant to the Gentile church. It is the calling of God to be His minister, to minister the gospel of God to the Gentiles, that enabled him to serve the church in Rome since his conversion. He is reminded that the strength to serve comes from God. He acknowledged that he is a weak vessel. He acknowledged the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to convert and sanctify the lives of God’s people by the gospel. He speaks of a holy courage or boldness that gives put in writing the great doctrines of the faith from salvation to glorification. He is aware that God holds him accountable for the many lives that he stands to influence with his life and ministry. And he prays that he fulfils the charge that was given him in his lifetime.
The Apostle Paul speaks of his heart burden in penning this epistle. He addresses directly now the believers in Rome till the end of this epistle. Although he has not met the believers in Rome, he has written to address the spiritual weaknesses of both individuals and groups in the church. He felt confident that the believers will grow in spiritual maturity and that the gospel work will indeed proceed from Rome and beyond.
The Apostle Paul gives the benediction, invoking God’s blessing upon the believers in Rome that they may abound in hope through the filling of the Holy Spirit. Hope invigorates and imparts strength for their present task. In this context, the brethren may live peaceably and amicably in love one toward another, forbearing and forgiving, in unity and joy!
This is God’s plan that was enacted with the call the Abraham in Genesis 12 finding its fruition the salvation of Jews and Gentiles. What glory. What graciousness. What joy. God did not forsake His people Israel but Israel together with the Gentile world can be saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ. How undeserving we are and how merciful God is to condescend to save us!
Ecclesiastes 3:14-17
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. 15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
The Apostle Paul testifies by his personal experience in his encounter with the ascended Christ on the Damascus road and was gloriously saved, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ) He further testifies of his calling to service, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:7).
Despite many differences with regard to choices of taste and preferences among believers, we should receive one another. A person should be received because Christ has received him. Christ has died for him. And therefore, he is precious in God’s sight. It brings glory and honour to God when we are willing to forbear and tolerate each others’ idiosyncrasies.
The Apostle Paul express his desire in prayer that the God of steadfast endurance and encouragement will the strong and the weak believers in Rome to live in peace and harmony looking to Christ Jesus as their example par excellence. Forging unity in worship of God.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.