Expert: Kerry Gray - 6/9/2009

Question
Hi! I am a R/C from Bombay India. My questions are as below.
1 How shall I describe my faith experience to my Hindu pals.as U know we have lot of o pagans here in India.

2:What is the meaning of faith in Bible?Is faith irrational? Is it obscurantist?Is it the position we take because of tradition? Soliciting for an answer. Gracias James N Bombay

Answer
Hello James

When witnessing the Christian faith to those of other belief systems needs to be as if we were witnessing to any who are unsaved. But we must show that there is ONLY one path that leads to God and that is through His son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Referring to Jesus the bible states:

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
-Acts 4:12

The Christian life and faith has nothing to do with any traditions of religion or men. We must begin with the fact that the bible is the final authority in doctrine and truth.

We must show the lost how there is no way to find peace with God, the creator of the universe except through Jesus Christ.

The subject of Faith in relationship to Salvation, is I feel mostly misunderstood by many.

Faith is a key ingredient in gaining salvation.

An important verse that needs to be looked at is Ephesians 2:4-9

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast".

Faith is not the reason God saves men. Love is the reason.

Grace is the "instrument" or the "means" used to accomplish salvation.

Grace indicates unmerited favour, an undeserved expression of kindness and love.

1. Why did God save us? He loved us.
2. How did God save us? By grace.

So where does faith fit in?

In Eph. 2:8 Paul states: "..through faith."  Here  "Through" is the key to understanding the significance of faith.
Faith is the agency whereby God was able to apply His grace to the life of the sinner.

Recap:

LOVE is the reason God saves us.
GRACE is by which God saves us.
FAITH is the agent through which God applies His grace to us.

If we accept Christ's message of salvation through Faith in God's Grace, which God made possible because He loves us, then we will be saved.

Where does faith come from? Faith comes from hearing the word of God.

When explaining the gospel to others, especially to those in paganism, we should first pray to God for wisdom and for Him to open the eyes, minds and hearts of those you are witnessing to.

The book of Romans is a good place to preach the gospel of Christ from. A person must first acknowledge they are a sinner and in need of a saviour. Only by receiving Jesus Christ, as their saviour, and realising that the blood shed on the cross was she for their sins, and Christ took the penalty of their sins in their place so they can be in right standing with God. The good works of their hands can never save them, because they still have the sinful nature passed down from the fall in Eden.

Hope this has been of some help. God bless.

Kerry