Faith Assailed, Yet Victorious Westminster Confession of Faith 14.3 “This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.” Episode Summary What happens when your faith feels weak? Do struggles with doubt, temptation, or even the consequences of our own sin mean that our faith is not genuine? In this episode, we conclude Chapter 14 of the Westminster Confession by examining how saving faith may be weak, assaulted, and even weakened through our own disobedience. Through the example of Samson, we see that genuine believers may stumble seriously and suffer painful consequences, yet still turn again to the Lord in faith. Above all, WCF 14.3 reminds us that the security of our faith does not rest in its strength, but in Christ, who is both its author and finisher. Saving faith may be battered and weak, but because Christ preserves His people, it ultimately gets the victory and grows toward assurance. Scripture References Hebrews 12:1–2 • Mark 9:24 • Luke 17:5 • Matthew 12:20 • Judges 16:28 • Hebrews 11:32 • Luke 22:31–32 • 1 John 5:4 • James 1:3 Glossary Weak Faith Genuine saving faith that rests upon Christ but is exercised with less confidence, strength, or assurance. Weak faith receives the same sufficient Savior as strong faith. Assailed Faith Saving faith that is attacked or tested through temptation, suffering, remaining sin, Satan’s accusations, discouragement, or other trials of the Christian life. Preserving Grace God’s gracious work by which He keeps those who truly belong to Christ in faith so that, although they may stumble grievously, they will not finally fall away. Fatherly Discipline God’s loving correction of His children, sometimes through painful consequences, by which He brings them to repentance and trains them in holiness. Perseverance of the Saints The biblical teaching that those whom God has truly saved will continue in faith to the end because God Himself preserves them by His grace. Full Assurance A mature and settled confidence that one belongs to Christ, grounded ultimately in God’s promises and Christ’s finished work and strengthened by the Spirit’s work in the believer. Author and Finisher of Faith A description of Christ from Hebrews 12:2 emphasizing that the Christian life of faith begins with Him, is sustained by Him, and will ultimately be brought to completion by Him. About the Host Pastor Tim Beauchamp is the church planter and pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Guam and serves as an evangelist with Ministry to the Military & Internationals (MM&I). Through Confessional Moments, he seeks to help Christians better understand and apply the doctrines taught in the Westminster Standards and to encourage believers to rest upon Christ alone through the ordinary means of grace. Learn More Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) https://www.trinitychurchguam.org For sermons, podcast episodes, worship information, and ministry resources, visit the church website.