THE RESPONSE OF FAITH — THE BRIDGE CROSSED

Man has had nothing to do with building the bridge of salvation. That was God’s work and His alone. God furnished both the material and the workmanship by which this wondrous bridge was built. “By grace are ye saved.”

Titus 2:11

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”

2 Timothy 1:9

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

But God leaves it to the sinner to decide whether he will cross this bridge or not. What God’s grace has provided man’s faith must possess. The salvation made potential by grace God expects to be made experiential by faith. Salvation is not something to be purchased, earned, or gained through the merit of any kind, for salvation is a gift, and a gift is received. Salvation is for all men, but only those who believe and receive are saved. “By grace are ye saved through faith.”

1 Timothy 4:10

“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.“

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, lest any man should boast.”

While man has had nothing to do with the building of the bridge, he has everything to do with the use of it, for he decides whether or not he will cross it. Have you crossed this bridge? Has God’s gracious invitation met with a glad response on your part? I must press the question home, for it will have to be answered either here and now or yonder at the great white throne. No decision you will ever be called upon to make can begin to compare with this one in importance because upon it hangs your happiness and usefulness in this life and your destiny in the life to come.

Perhaps among the readers of this book are some earnest inquirers who are saying in their hearts, But what does crossing the bridge involve? and What must I do to be saved? Together, let us consider these questions in turn.

Crossing the bridge means a decisive break with all that pertains to the old creation in the old sphere. If one decides to become a Christian, his first step will be to turn his back on sin and turn his face toward Christ, his Savior. In that first step, he will renounce his sin and receive God’s Son. The first step out of the life on the plane of the natural into life on the plane of the spiritual involves a twofold reversal in the sinner’s relationship to God, which the Bible calls repentance and faith.

Acts 20:21

“Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.“

Acts 26:18

“To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in Me.“

1 Thessalonians 1:9

“For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is the place at which this decisive break with the old life is made. It is the birthplace of genuine repentance and true faith.

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson