“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be according to grace: so that the promise might be sure to all the seed.” Romans 4:1
Dear Ones:
From the beginning of the Bible to its end, there is the ever-resounding call of God for man to BELIEVE in Him. We find phrases like these: “…But the just shall LIVE by his faith.” (Hab. 2:4) Paul would write: “….and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” (Gal. 2:20) In Hebrews 11:6, we read: “For without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Why is faith so very important, and also, why does Moses write in Genesis, with regard to Abraham, “And he (Abram) believed in the Lord, and He (that is, God) accounted it to him for righteousness?” (15:6) God’s standard for “rightness,” the right thing to do, is faith.
To understand the essential nature and imperative of faith, we must begin with God Himself. In reading the first chapter of Genesis, we find that all that God created was “good.” That goodness came from the Creator who was and is good. Jesus, in speaking to the rich young ruler, made this statement: “….there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Matt. 19:17) On the other hand, in looking at man after Adam’s sin, Paul writes to the Romans: “…There is none righteous, no, not one…there is none that does good.” (3:10,12) Thus, we see that the eternal God is perfect, good, and holy, in every aspect of His being. However, sinful man is not capable of this divine standard, and essence, of “goodness,” unless He RECEIVES it from God.
When Moses asked God to show him His glory, the Lord responded: “I will make all my goodness pass before you.” (Ex. 33:18) How does this Divine goodness enter into the heart and life of fallen man? BY FAITH. “How then does one receive the capacity to believe, to have faith in God?”
First, we must see and know, that God is desirous to save ALL men. It is for this reason that Paul writes: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Paul goes on to ask a question: “How shall they believe in whom they have not heard?” (10:14) That which is essential to true faith is the knowledge of the truth, concerning the nature of God, and concerning the lost condition, and nature, of man. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (10:17) God is found in, and according to, His word, the objective truth of His person and ways, His power and purpose to save all men. A knowledge of the truth is essential to having true faith, for God does NOT give saving faith according to a lie. An example of this is idolatry, which is the worship of idols. These idols represent false concepts of God. God will never give faith, true faith, to believe a lie, or twisted concept, about Him. However, when God, by His Spirit, brings us to faith in Him, He does so in order that we can RECEIVE His goodness, and all that pertains to life and godliness in Christ. Faith is thus, eternally “right,” for it is God’s gift, and way, by which man can receive all that the Father desires to give IN CHRIST.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see who You truly are, the thrice-holy God, perfect in goodness. Show us also who we are as sinners, devoid of the goodness of God, and anything that is holy. Grant us faith to call upon You, believing that you will surely answer, enabling us to receive of Your fullness. We thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad