Justified by Faith
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
-Romans 3:28
The free gift of Christ's righteousness, at the price of His blood, is applied to us by faith. Alone. Apart from the deeds of the law (the Greek word here, translated "deeds", is "ergon", which means "work"). Paul is clear in this statement, and in his expanding comments in Romans 4, that justification is received by faith alone; it is not earned or merited, it is not enhanced by ritual or fleshly effort. The only work that can save is the perfect, all-sufficient work of Christ at the cross. To trust in any other work is futile. To rely on any other means of salvation is hopeless.
Justification comes by genuine faith which is marked by characteristics which distinguish it from the impersonation of faith, such as acknowledgement without commitment or enthusiasm without doctrine. The one with true faith knows Who he believes, what he believes, why he believes. He will spend this life and all eternity developing that knowledge, but has sufficiently apprehended the truth and has entrusted belief, if with only a nascent kernel of wholehearted reliance, upon Christ and His work. And thereby is the new believer credited with the very righteousness of Christ, absolutely without merit on the part of the recipient.
Again, the distinction between true faith, the faith that saves, and counterfeit faith, which deceptively feigns the genuine, is revealed in the characteristics. True faith is a repentant faith; the counterfeit stubbornly clings to sin and rebellion. True faith surrenders to God (Romans 12:1) and endeavors to be transformed by God (Romans 12:2); the counterfeit has no desire to even be modified, let alone transformed.
True faith follows Jesus Christ. Not for a season, but forever.
True faith may stumble at times, may be weak, may even be encumbered by sin and distraction (Hebrew 12:1). But it stays the course. It endures. It does not desert. It does not abandon the truth (1 John 2:19). The difference between the true and the counterfeit is the difference between investing all one's hope and trust in the Lord of creation and committing all to Him, or merely acknowledging that, "well, maybe I'm open to a few things I could change as long as it isn't too much."
As we see in Romans 3:28, 4:5, and 5:1; in order to be justified by grace, faith is essential.
-Romans 3:28
The free gift of Christ's righteousness, at the price of His blood, is applied to us by faith. Alone. Apart from the deeds of the law (the Greek word here, translated "deeds", is "ergon", which means "work"). Paul is clear in this statement, and in his expanding comments in Romans 4, that justification is received by faith alone; it is not earned or merited, it is not enhanced by ritual or fleshly effort. The only work that can save is the perfect, all-sufficient work of Christ at the cross. To trust in any other work is futile. To rely on any other means of salvation is hopeless.
Justification comes by genuine faith which is marked by characteristics which distinguish it from the impersonation of faith, such as acknowledgement without commitment or enthusiasm without doctrine. The one with true faith knows Who he believes, what he believes, why he believes. He will spend this life and all eternity developing that knowledge, but has sufficiently apprehended the truth and has entrusted belief, if with only a nascent kernel of wholehearted reliance, upon Christ and His work. And thereby is the new believer credited with the very righteousness of Christ, absolutely without merit on the part of the recipient.
Again, the distinction between true faith, the faith that saves, and counterfeit faith, which deceptively feigns the genuine, is revealed in the characteristics. True faith is a repentant faith; the counterfeit stubbornly clings to sin and rebellion. True faith surrenders to God (Romans 12:1) and endeavors to be transformed by God (Romans 12:2); the counterfeit has no desire to even be modified, let alone transformed.
True faith follows Jesus Christ. Not for a season, but forever.
True faith may stumble at times, may be weak, may even be encumbered by sin and distraction (Hebrew 12:1). But it stays the course. It endures. It does not desert. It does not abandon the truth (1 John 2:19). The difference between the true and the counterfeit is the difference between investing all one's hope and trust in the Lord of creation and committing all to Him, or merely acknowledging that, "well, maybe I'm open to a few things I could change as long as it isn't too much."
As we see in Romans 3:28, 4:5, and 5:1; in order to be justified by grace, faith is essential.
posted by herewegoagain at 7:52 PM
2 Comments:
Of course I agree with you that one can only be saved by grace, through faith. It is interesting, though, how difficult that concept is for so many. Is it because the very idea goes against our human pride?
I have often remarked that other religions, even "christian" cults, always revert to the doctrine of salvation through works. Is that because as humans, we want to work for our salvation--"get it for ourselves" ? What can be more humbling, make us more beholden, than a gift of such magnitude?
Furthermore, faith seems to be difficult for many because of its sheer intangibility. "Seeing is believing" is such a prevalent thought, and requiring tangible proof is applauded. Is that why often the secular world, in particular academicians and scientists, often look down upon Christianity as something appropriate for children and the weak-minded?
I think their are many reasons some struggle with "faith alone"--among them pride, superstition, a lack of understanding the acute helplessness of the unregenerate human condition, etc.
I wouldn't necessarily broad-brush all "academicians and scientists", many are believers. As for those who are not, just like w/ those from other walks of life who don't believe, "...the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." -1 Cor. 1:18. See also verses 17-31.
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