“We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles;
nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law
but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed into Christ Jesus,
that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law;
since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”
(Galatians 2:15-16 NASV)
Justification by God does is not derived by anyone striving to keep the law. Christianity teaches that justification is that divine act whereby God imputes or ascribes to the record of a guilty sinner the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul stated to the Corinthian believers, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2:21). Those who believe into Christ have died to sin and have been raised into a living relationship with Christ and have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness. But how is Christ’s righteousness obtained by a sinner? Does every guilty sinner, who does not have the capacity to seek after God (Romans 3:10-11), have enough faith to be granted Christ’s righteousness? Where does faith come from?
A more literal translation of the text verse quoted from above (in the New American Standard Version of the New Testament) is better translated this way. It makes a very distinct teaching different from that taught by some:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by works of law but through the
faith of Christ Jesus, even we have believed into Christ Jesus, in order that
we might be justified by the faith in Christ and not by works of law, because
by works of law no flesh will be justified.”
Please note four things that will help solve the question of the origin of faith:
First –What Faith Is Not
Faith is not a spiritual capacity of the unrepentant sinner whose spirit is dead, lacking regeneration by the Spirit of God (John 3:5-6; 6:63). Faith does not come from a sinner’s mind, to be recognized as some good work that might merit the mercy of God, forgiveness, and eternal life. Note Ephesians 2:8-10:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not out of you,
it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are
His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Second – Where Does Faith Come From
Faith comes from Christ, the very words of Christ recorded in the Scriptures by God’s chosen Apostles. See Romans 10:17 and John 17:1, 8, & 14:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
“I manifested Thy name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world;
Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy Word…
for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them…I have given them
Thy Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world,
even as I am not out of the world.”
Please note that the faith God granted to Christ’s disciples—and to every individual given spiritual life by the miracle of regeneration—is not simply a belief in the facts regarding the person of Jesus, as taught in the Bible and human history (scientia – to know). Satan, fallen angelic beings believe that Jesus lived. Nor is it a step further to agree that those facts are true (assentio). Lots of people believe even the historical records of Jesus of Nazareth, just like they agree that Abraham Lincoln was a president of the U. S.
The faith that grants to sinners forgiveness, adoption into the Family of God, and eternal life is a GIFT from God. Its source is the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, recorded in the Bible, and proclaimed by His disciples.
Third – What Does Faith Produce in the Life of a True Believer?
Faith is the spiritual capacity that results in a spiritual union with the Triune God of the Universe. Listen to the words of Jesus, at the time of His raising His friend Lazarus from the grave:
“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes into Me shall live
even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes into Me shall never die.
Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)
Look at the prepositions “in” and “into.” “In” (en) is a preposition of space and time; “Into” (eis) is a preposition of association or union. Many agree and assent to the facts of the life of Abraham Lincoln. Only individuals given spiritual life by God have a trusting (fiducia) association and union with Jesus Christ who gave His life for the salvation of His people. Abraham Lincoln is dead. I have no relationship with him. Jesus Christ is alive. He rules the Universe and will one day return to fully establish His righteous kingdom on the new earth He will prepare for us. Look again at the familiar “Gospel” verses of John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes into Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes into Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Think of it: God sent His only begotten Son into the world to give His life as a ransom for sinners in the slave market of sin. The Son preaches His gospel that men and women might truly know Him, trust into Him (fiducia) and obtain His resurrected life as their own.
Fourth –What Should God-given Faith Yield in a Disciple’s Life?
Faith that saves is a living, spiritual trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is a union with the saints of the ages with whom we have a union in Christ. It produces something more: It produces a disciple, a follower, and a learner. Becoming a partaker of God’s very spiritual nature (2 Peter 1:4), a disciple is given the responsibility of becoming a representative of Heaven. Literally, a true and faithful disciple must pick up his own cross and live a uniquely commissioned life as an ambassador of Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:20). To every disciple effectually called to follow Christ, He clearly pronounced this responsibility in simple words:
“No longer to I call you slaves, for thee slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my Father I have made know to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.” (John 15:15-16)
If I have been born again spiritually, what does faith have to do with my daily life? I know (scientia) in the historical facts of Christ’s life, I assent (assentio) to those facts and ascribe them as being true, I trust (fiducia) in the words of Christ and know I am a child of God; but do I realize daily that I live in Him and He lives in me? (Galatians 3:20)
TO PONDER: Here are some questions I keep being challenged to ask myself:
Why has God saved my soul, my very life?
Why was I born in Oakland, California?
Why was I reared in a Christian home?
What did I feel God wanted me to do with my life?
Have I endeavored to live a Christian life as best as I could?
What have been some of the most influential spiritual things that have happened to me?
Have I endeavored to grow in the faith God has given me?
Have I tried to help other people find Christ in some way?
Am I ready to meet Christ at His coming or my demise?
What should I do to realize my calling to faith in Christ in a deeper way?
TO PRAY:
Father in Heaven, please forgive my wayward ways, my apathy, my ignorance of Thy Word, Thy will, and my lack of concern for those I know who so desperately need you. Please, by Your Spirit, convict me, teach me, and encourage me to be more faithful to You and all you long to do through my life for Your Kingdom and your glory. Please teach me how I can increase my faith and usefulness in my family, my job, my school, and with those I love and share my life. I ask this in Jesus’ Name.
TO MEMORIZE:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, set your mind
on the things above, not in the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also
will be revealed with Him in glory.”
From: On Things That Really Matter
By: Beryl Clemens Smith
9-27-2022
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