The Law Of Faith

"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. 
Romans 3:23-24

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. 

By what law? Of works? 

No: but by the law of faith. 

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 
Romans 3:27-28

Some time ago I listened to my pastor ask an intellectual what his view was on justification. The man replied that; “he believed that he is a good person and had lived a good life, and that if there was a God that he hoped he would take the totality of his life into account and judge him as worthy of favor.”

Here is a question for you. Who is the one person that from a human perspective you would consider to be worthy because of who they are, or because of all of their good deeds or the loving life that they have lived? I know this might seem impossible but name the one person you admire the most. Please stop here and write the person’s name in the comments below or email to me at talavera.bob@gmail.com

It will be interesting to read those comments. The person I will name here is a great scientist and inventor. His philanthropic work has saved literally millions of poor people from suffering and death. And the foundation he has established will most likely continue saving millions more lives for the remainder of this century. 

His contribution to the health of poor and suffering children is beyond what most of us can even dream about. Any decent person would give anything to be able to save ten lives ... let alone millions. He is the one person in the world I would most like to have a conversation with. Can you guess who he might be? I have begun to pray for his salvation daily. Here is the article that clearly explains how I came to this conclusion based upon my logic and feelings. (must read click here)

The most important fact being missed here is that the amazing work and humanitarian efforts of Bill and Melinda Gates are temporal. This is the most an unbeliever can hope for.

How much more infinitely valuable is one life saved for eternity?


Here is another interesting one. I don’t know if it is true, but I have read that the most famous and charitable American entertainer Bob Hope once said; “if there is a God, how could he not consider all of the wonderful things that I have done?”

I really did admire Bob Hope and all that he did for others; and he brings up an interesting question. But God has already spoken clearly on this, and if that truly was Mr. Hope’s belief and not just a clever quip … he was sadly misguided. The fact is that by the world’s standards Bob Hope is most admired and beloved but we are all just sinners in need of a savior in God’s eyes. God’s Word tells us that no man measures up to God's test of righteousness.

Are you beginning to now understand why after speaking to the rich young ruler, Jesus said?

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking on them said, with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:25-27

Here is the problem that all men and women face.

As Jesus said; “with men it is impossible” … to receive eternal life.

“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands; there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12

Who meets this test of righteousness and a sinless life that God has for us all? How about Mother Theresa? She was a most religious, charitable, prayerful, faithful, most loving, and humble person. She may be in heaven, but not because of any or all of the charitable things she did … no, not one.

No matter how good we might try to be … daily good deeds for an entire life, or living out the life of a loving person can never make us right or acceptable before God.  All of mankind has the exact same problem and there is only one solution to the problem and the solution is the same for us all. That is faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as the payment for our sins.

“Now we know that whatever things the law said, it said to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

“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 to all and on 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 has set forth to be a propitiation 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? No: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:21-28

I know many understand this but we need to understand well enough that we all can help others understand, we have all been given the ministry of reconciliation.

What does this mean? 

We are justified by Jesus who lived a sinless life here as a man and who delivered himself up to the cross as the payment for our sins once and for all. The law of faith Paul speaks of is the belief in God’s free gift of grace for those of us who have believed and trusted in Jesus Christ for our eternal forgiveness and salvation.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, 
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 
2 Corinthians 5:20-21

 Here is another one of those Biblical absolute Forever Principles. 

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

“… By what law? of works? No: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:27-28

So ... does this leave us free to do nothing or whatever we wish? NO, No, No.

We will discuss this next.

God Bless you my friends, Bob