“…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION for everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God IS REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH; as it is written, “The just SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Rom. 1:16-17) As the book of Romans makes it abundantly clear, people cannot be declared righteous before God by FOLLOWING THE LAW. Good works and ritual obedience DO NOTHING to make us RIGHT WITH GOD. And if we ARE NOT DECLARED RIGHTEOUS in God’s eyes—a condition referred to as being “JUSTIFIED“—then WE CANNOT BE WITH GOD. When we, “…we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN.” (1 John 1:7) This term “Justified” could mean “Just if I’d” never sinned.
Faith is the key in this process, “…without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that HE IS, and that HE IS A REWARDER of those who diligently SEEK HIM.” (Heb. 11:6) Paul said that, “GOD IS REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH…”
- we have to have faith to know that, “GOD IS” For that is how we get saved.
- Then we have to have faith that God is, “A REWARDER of those who diligently SEEK HIM.” This is where we are rewarded for our faith. You see, from FAITH TO FAITH.
So, we pray and ask for forgiveness, “Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through WHOM ALSO we HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH into 1THIS GRACE in which WE STAND, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1-2) 1This is a second work of grace and gives us what we need TO STAND. This second work of grace is sanctification “Jesus also, that He might SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered…” (Heb. 13:12)
-Bill Stockham