Why Is Salvation Through Faith?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Why are we saved through faith? Why do we not earn our salvation through good deeds like the other religions of the world?

Because faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith sees God even though He cannot be seen.

Because faith glorifies God (Romans 4:20). When we have the faith that God was able to do what He had promised (Romans 4:21), God is glorified. God deserves all glory and honour because He have created all things, and by His will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11).

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. (Romans 4:20-21 NLT)

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)

Everyone Exercises Faith Daily

Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? (Ecclesiastes 8:7 NIV)

Faith is not for Christians or people with religion. Everyone exercised faith daily. We may not know it, but we live by faith every moment, though not necessarily faith in the almighty creator God.

When you step your foot forward, have you ever worried that the ground you are going to step would suddenly open up and you got swallowed into the ground? You won't have such a thought. You just step forward in faith, not faith in God, but faith in common sense. It has not happened before; it will not happen, and it is not going to happen to you.

But supposing you heard news that sinkholes appeared in your neighbourhood. Then you will no longer be so sure. Suddenly you lose faith. You are no longer certain of your next step. Suddenly you need faith in something divine because you can no longer rely on common sense. The next step, tomorrow and the future can no longer be taken for granted.

Why does everyone live by faith? Because no one knows the future. If you are like God, who knows the end from the beginning, you do not need faith. God is the only One who does not need faith. Those who does not know what the next moment will bring, need faith. So you should put your faith in the One who know the end from beginning instead of your daily common sense.

Put your faith in the One who does not need faith.

I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim. (Ecclesiastes 8:17 NLT)

I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.' (Isaiah 46:10 BSB)

"To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:25 NLT)

What is Faith?

What is faith? The Bible in Hebrews 11:1 gave us the definition of faith.

And faith (πίστις) is of things hoped for (ἐλπιζομένων) a confidence (ὑπόστασις), of matters (πραγμάτων) not seen (οὐ βλεπομένων) a conviction (ἔλεγχος), (Hebrews 11:1 YLT)

Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don't see. (Hebrews 11:1 CEB)

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 CEV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NET)

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality - faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. (Hebrews 11:1 Amplified Bible)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 BSB)

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 CSB)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV, MEV)

ὑπόστασις
(a) confidence, assurance, (b) a giving substance (or reality) to, or a guaranteeing, (c) substance, reality.

ἔλεγχος
a proof, possibly: a persuasion; reproof.

All the Bible versions basically translate faith as confidence and conviction of things hoped for but not seen. The is Amplified Bible's explanation - faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.

Jesus Saves

Since, then, we are God's offspring, we shouldn't think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. (Acts 17:29 CSB)

The Bible contains truth, but not all truth is in the Bible. We are told by the Bible that "The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4,Romans 1:17,Galatians 3:11,Hebrews 10:38)". But the evil also live by faith. Just about everyone live by faith.

When we see a young man declaring, "I am a free thinker. I don't believe in any gods. I believe in myself", this is a statement of faith by a young person with a healthy body and mind. When this healthy young man grows old and fat, starts having heart problem, kidney trouble, glaucoma and dementia, he will start losing faith in himself. He will even forget that he ever said, "I believe in myself."

A person worshipping some clay idol is also living by faith.

Faith does not save. It is the object of faith that saves. Jesus saves. All others don't. Believe in Jesus. Live by faith in Jesus.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)