" Sola Fide - Faith Alone ! " (Third of Five)

Romans 3:21-31  " But now the righteousness of GOD without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; Even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; Being justified freely by HIS grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS: WHOM GOD hath set forth to be a propitiation (sacrificial payment) through faith in HIS blood, to declare HIS righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of GOD;

To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in JESUS. Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what Law ? of works ? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law. Is HE the GOD of the Jews only ? is HE not also of the Gentiles ? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one GOD, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the Law through faith ? GOD forbid: yea, we establish the Law.

     The watchcry of the Reformation was " justification by faith. " Luther and the Reformers agreed with Paul's conclusion: " Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law " (v.28). How can Salvation be both by grace alone and also by faith alone ? Grace is GOD's side; faith is man's side. How does GOD save a wretched sinner ? Only by grace (Acts 15:11). What must man do ? Only believe (Acts 16:31). While grace and works are two principles that are utterly opposed (Romans 11:6), yet grace and faith are united in perfect harmony in GOD's Salvation plan (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is not working, but it is resting on the perfect work of ANOTHER (Romans 4:5). The SAVIOR cried, " It is finished ! "; the man of faith responds, " It is enough ! " Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out and receives the free gift which GOD offers in HIS grace (Romans 5:16-18; 6:23;John 1:12). The believer does not boast in his faith; rather, he boasts in a great SAVIOR WHO is the object of his faith (1st.Corinthians 1:29-31).

     Faith is when someone rests all of his weight on the PERSON of GOD (WHO HE is), on the work of GOD (what HE has done), and on the WORD of GOD (what HE has said). Justification is that work of GOD whereby the believing sinner is declared to be perfectly righteous in GOD's righteous SON (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). We could never achieve such a perfect righteousness, and we could never gain Heaven without it. It is fully provided in the PERSON and work of JESUS CHRIST. Justification by faith is so vitally important that GOD emphasizes it three times in just one verse (Galatians 2:16) ! How tragic it is that sin-blinded, self-righteous men are determined to present to GOD their own fig leaf coverings ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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