FAITH IS ESSENTIAL, BUT NOT MERITORIOUS

Faith in Christ is essential to salvation. No man will ever be saved, accepted with God, apart from true faith in Christ. "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." You must believe on Christ; or you will perish. But do not ever think that your faith is meritorious with God. Faith is the instrument by which we receive God's blessings; but it is not the meritorious cause of those blessings. The blood of Christ alone merits God's favor toward us. We are never said to be saved and justified because of faith, but through faith. Faith receives Christ; but it does not merit Christ. Faith receives salvation; but it does not merit salvation. Faith receives grace; but it does not merit grace. Faith receives justification; but it does not merit justification. Faith receives forgiveness and righteousness from God; but it does not merit anything from God. Faith is essential. Without it you will never be saved. But faith is not meritorious. Faith too is the gift of God's grace.