YOUR AD HERE »

Minister’s Forum: Faith that saves

Thurston Ott

In the Aug. 9 weekend edition of the Minister’s Forum in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Terry Edwards, fellow pastor at the Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship church, wrote about the faith of Peter the Apostle keeping his eyes upon Jesus while walking on the turbulent sea, as his savior was doing.

As long as his eyes were upon Jesus, his feet rested on the water. Peter had a believing faith for the moment. At this time I want to address another kind of faith – saving faith – faith that changes a person’s life, his thoughts, his future and his eternal destiny.

The Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, is called the faith chapter. In it is recorded the faith of many of the Old Testament saints. Abraham, Isaac Jacob, Joseph and Moses, to name a few. Chapter 11, verse 1 says, “Faith is not a leap in the dark. Faith rests on a foundation. Faith looks to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting to discover what faith is. The word “substance” in the Greek is “hypostasis” and is a scientific term. It is the opposite of hypothesis and theory. The word “evidence” in the Greek is “elegchos,” a legal term – evidence that can be accepted for conviction.



Saving faith is the acceptance by the intellect, affection and will of God’s favor extended to man through Christ. This faith produces a sincere obedience in the life and conversation. How is this faith obtained? Romans, chapter 10, verse 17 tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Each person is asked to seek God and faith through prayer and the study of God’s word.

Snowcross Community Church is offering a “Know Your Bible” course at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, except the second Wednesday of the month, at the Art Building, 3062 Lake Tahoe Blvd., next to the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. There is no preaching, no music – just taking the open Bible and discussing the meaning of each book. If you do not have a Bible one will be given to you for your own personal use. Teenagers are certainly welcome. You will leave these sessions renewed and refreshed and gain much wisdom in the things concerning your soul’s salvation and eternal destiny. Dress is very casual.



Please call (530) 544-2221 should you have any questions.

– Thurston Ott is pastor at Snowcross Community Church.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.