Charles Spurgeon said, "Temporary faith is no faith at all." Jesus spoke of those who believe for awhile, and in time of testing fall away (Luke 8:13). Faith that endures can stand the test. Also, true saving faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). If we have abiding faith, it endures through all manner of testing.
Jesus taught that those who fall away have temporary faith, who believe for awhile. This is recorded in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11-15). The problem in this case is recognized in the person's heart. Temporary faith has to do with a heart not changed by the grace of God. It leads to apostasy or falling away (1 John 2:19).
When we are born again, God takes away our heart of stone and gives us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). The new heart is like rich soil for the seed of the Gospel of Christ to bring forth fruit unto salvation. Abiding faith has a heart changed to become a new creation in Christ (Romans 2:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:17). Abiding faith endures, unlike temporary faith. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
If we are saved by the grace of God, our hearts are changed with new desires. The heart is the mind, will, and emotions, as the term is most often used in the Bible. God works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). The new heart includes the will changed by God's grace. God began the work of salvation and completes it (Philippians 1:6). Unlike temporary faith, abiding faith endures unto complete salvation in Christ.
