The Ingredients

by Terry Wane Benton

The discussion of faith versus works could end if each side took the time to define the proper ingredients of saving faith. Let me illustrate. A Muslim has faith, even in Jesus as a prophet of God. Is he saved? No! He does not have the proper ingredients of faith. He must work to acquire them, and God will not do this work for him.

No one will consistently argue that faith does not take some effort or work to have the proper ingredients before pardon is actually received. Peter, by the Spirit, included repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus as essential ingredients (Acts 2:36-41) of saving faith. Others try a different recipe with fewer ingredients and tell people they get the same results without all the right ingredients. Jesus said such people are headed for a real surprise (Matthew 7:21ff). What are the proper ingredients of saving faith? You cannot afford to be mistaken by a different recipe (Galatians 1:6-10).