Faith and Orthodoxy

[Christopher S.]

How does faith play a role in salvation in Orthodox teaching? In Protestant churches, it easy to understand because faith comes before salvation. (I don't believe in faith only.) In the Orthodox Church, children are baptized and then come to understand and believe in Christ. Please help this confused inquirer.

[Ken McRae]

How does faith play a role in salvation in Orthodox teaching? In Protestant churches, it easy to understand because faith comes before salvation. (I don't believe in faith only.) In the Orthodox Church, children are baptized and then come to understand and believe in Christ.

For starters, read the following online essay by Hieromonk Damascene, entitled What Christ Accomplished on the Cross. (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/christcross.aspx) This establishes the basis for what I'm about to say.

In simple terms, Orthodoxy teaches that Christ is our salvation, according to 1 Cor. 1:30 => "Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Notice, though, that the text speaks these things only of those who are members of the Body of Christ: "Of Him are ye in Christ." And there's only one way to become a member of His Body, according to holy Tradition and Scripture, and that's by holy Baptism. But to be judged worthy of baptism requires sincere faith and repentance, on your part, for the promise is made to them who believe, and justify their faith by works of repentance. The Scriptures say that John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Christ by preaching and administering a baptism of repentance. So you see, repentance prepares you for the coming of Christ in holy baptism! Thus Saint James the Apostle says that a man is justified by faith and works, for he that has not truly and sincerely forsaken the ways of iniquity is not worthy of the sanctifying and justifying grace of holy baptism!

A great Russian Orthodox saint has written that in baptism we are "washed, sanctified, and justified: "We establish a covenant between God and us. We, who have renounced Satan, promise to serve God and be faithful to Him. God accepts us in His supreme mercy and promises us an inheritance in everlasting life and the Kingdom, and washes us, who are defiled by sin, in the laver of baptism. He sanctifies and justifies us, as the priest says over everyone who is baptised, "Thou art washed, thou art sanctified, thou are justified (cf. 1 Cor. 6:11)." (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, in Journey to Heaven, p. 32) However, this threefold grace of holy baptism can be subsequently lost by falling back into sin, and thus must be continuously renewed through repentance and the holy sacraments of confession and communion. Its renewal, though, depends again upon a lively faith and repentance, without which there is no salvation. However, do not think that somehow you're "earning" your salvation by all this, for apart from Christ, who is our righteousness, our works are utterly insufficient to pay our debt, and purchase our own redemption! Now, may the All-Merciful Lord have pity upon us all, for His Name's sake!

[Ken McRae]

I should say this, though, that I did say I was trying to keep it simple, but it is true that much of what I posted requires qualification, to some degree, as some things are stated vaguely. For example, I should talk about love as a sign of sincere faith. Some may think that because I did not expressly state it that I was somehow diminishing or detracting from its place in the work of our salvation. However, St. Paul said that faith worketh by love, and so your works of repentance are a manifestation of love to God and His holy Law. No repentance, no love! And repentance in this particular context, I feel, points to both the mortification of vice and cultivation of virtue! And among the virtues, love is supreme! Glory to Thee, O Compassionate Lord!

[Ken McRae]

A great Russian Orthodox saint has written that in baptism we are "washed, sanctified, and justified:" "We establish a covenant between God and us ... etc." (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, in Journey to Heaven, p. 32)

Here are two more texts from the same grace-filled book:-

"Without lively faith and the fear of God it is impossible to live in a godly way. Living faith is inspired in the human heart by contemplation of the word of God and by the Holy Spirit. For this reason we should read and heed the word of God and pray that God Himself ignite the lamp of faith in our heart." (p. 15)

"Set your salvation on nothing else but on Christ Jesus alone, the Saviour of the world. If you truly believe that He suffered and died for you and is your Saviour, then love Him with all your heart, obey Him and please Him, as your Saviour, and lay and confirm all your hope of salvation on Him alone. We must unfailingly do good works as Christians, but we must ask and await salvation from Christ alone." (p. 44)

From the above texts, we may see that lively faith is a living faith inspired of God by our reading or hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by which we come to truly and sincerely believe, as St. Tikhon says, that Christ "suffered and died for you and is your Saviour." Thus, true faith is itself the gift of God, and not something originating of our own selves. If you have such a faith, do not stop there, thinking that this faith alone will save you! You must offer it to God in the form of good works of repentance. And you must enter into a covenant with God, in which you lay down your own life in exchange for the resurrection Life of Christ!

It is a free gift indeed, bought and paid for with Christ's own blood; and yet, though it is free, it is also conditional. You must be prepared to bring something with you to the bargaining table, and it is surely nothing less than your own life. You must be prepared to lay down your life in exchange for Christ's. That is the condition! He that wishes to save his life in the world, and continue in his dead works, is disqualified and does not meet the conditions of the covenant! It is not a gift for those who love the world and wish to continue living wrecklessly in a hedonistic pursuit of worldly pleasure!