“Where there is neither Greek or Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all in all.” Colossians 3:11
Dear Ones:
When God created the world, there were no cultures, no nations, no different ethnic groups, languages, or social/economical systems. Nor were there any religions or philosophies. So, when man was created, there was God and man, in a fellowship and relationship, that was perfect in every sense. When sin entered into the world, “diversity” was born, for there was a divergence from the Person of God. In this regard, Isaiah’s great words ring so very true down through the ages to our present day: “…we have turned EVERYONE to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (on Christ) the iniquity of us ALL.” (Is. 53:6) Beyond history, culture, nations, and differences in people and ways of thinking, the Bible brings us back to man’s basic relationship with God. His calling and purpose for man have never changed. But now, and ever since the fall of man, sin has blocked the way for man to know God. To remedy this, it will be God, and God ALONE, who will deal with all sins, their presence, remembrance, and every effect. He will deal also with the power of sin as a law, or principle, in the nature of man. This is essential because sin has absolutely no affinity with the nature of God. So completely fallen is man, regardless of his culture or nationality, that only a perfect solution by God can redeem, save and deliver him. It is for this reason that Peter, on the day of Pentecost, would declare to the convicted men of Jerusalem: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and you will RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
In the context of a fallen world, with a history of cultures that have come and gone, and the overwhelming evidence of the terrible effects of sin, with so many different and varied perspectives on knowing God, we need to ask: “What is God’s way, that man should be again reconciled to Him, with sins forgiven, having received the very life of Christ by the Spirit into the heart?” The answer is singular and unique at the same time: It is BY FAITH. God is holy, and man is not. Sinful man can do NOTHING to justify himself before God, religiously or not, because all that he touches, or does, is tainted with sin. If God would save man, man must RECEIVE as a gift from God, not only forgiveness of sins, but the gift of “righteousness.” Salvation comes ONLY from outside of man, distinct and separated from him. This gift of righteousness is the very “rightness,” and perfection, of the work and life of Christ. It is complete and wholly acceptable to God the Father, for there is no flaw nor fault in it. Nothing can be added to it, nor removed from it. It cannot be earned or paid for. It is an eternal, everlasting, unalterable gift from God, in answer to FAITH alone. What then is this “faith,” and how can one have it?
Again, in this matter, the way of God is a holy way, unique and certain. Paul writes: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It is as one hears the truth of God, of Christ, and of His work on the Cross, that God gives faith in answer to the cry of the heart. Faith is given to pursue God and to find Him.
Dear Father, indeed the knowledge of You goes beyond culture and time, in order to bring us face to face with Your ways. Give us grace today to come before you believing, knowing that You are a rewarder of those who seek you in truth. Give us the faith to believe you for all that You desire and will to do in and through us, for Jesus’ sake. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Love, Dad