But it is a faith which works by love . . .
“Now it was not written for his (Abraham’s) sake alone . . . But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed (reckoned), if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord (Sovereign King) from the dead . . . Who was delivered (given up) for our offenses,* (ref: Romans 8:31-34) and was raised again for our justification. Therefore . . . being justified* by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ !” Romans 4:17-25 and 5:1, 12-19 and 6:1-6
Justified (H6663) = to make clear, to cleanse, to make righteousness
(G1344, 1342) = to render, declare just, innocent, free, holy, and righteous !
The Lord would have His people sound in the faith– not ignorant of the great Salvation so abundantly provided for them. They are not to look forward, thinking that at some future time a great work is to be done for them; for the work is now complete !
The believer is not called upon to make his peace with God; he never has nor ever can do this. He is to accept Christ as his Peace, for with Christ is God and peace. Christ made an end of sin, bearing its heavy curse in His own body on the tree (II Peter 1:24), and He hath taken away the curse from all those who believe in Him as a personal Saviour (Galatians 3:8-14). He makes an end of the controlling power of sin in the heart, and the life and character of the believer testify to the genuine character of the grace* (G5485) of Christ.
To those that ask Him, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit; for it is necessary that every believer should be delivered from pollution (filthiness and stain of sin), as well as from the curse and condemnation of the law. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the Truth . . . Thy Word is Truth (John 17:17 & 6:63), the believer becomes fitted for the courts of heaven; for Christ works within us, and His righteousness is upon us. Without this no soul will be entitled to heaven. We would not enjoy heaven unless qualified for its holy atmosphere by the Divine Influence of the Spirit and the righteousness of Christ.
In order to be candidates for heaven we must meet the requirement of the law: “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God (Jehovah, Yehuwah thy Elohim) with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27). We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ (Jeremiah 23:5-6) . . . appropriating it as our own !
By beholding Jesus (Isaiah 45:22-25) we receive a Living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect !
Christ alone is able to do this, for “in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, so that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted” Hebrews 2:17-18).
Reconciliation means that every barrier between the soul and God is removed, and that the sinner realizes what the pardoning love of God means. By reason of the sacrifice made by Christ for fallen men, God can justly pardon the transgressor who accepts the merits (worthiness) of Christ (Hebrews 10:7-14).
Christ was the channel through which the mercy, love, and righteousness might flow from the heart of God to the heart of the sinner. “He is faithful and He is Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness !” I John 1:9.
In the prophecy of Daniel it was recorded of Christ that He shall “make reconciliation* for iniquity, and . . . bring in everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9:24). Every soul may say: “By His perfect obedience He has satisfied the claims of the law, and my only hope is found in looking to Him as my Substitute and Surety (Pledge of a completed work), Who obeyed the law perfectly for me. By faith in His merits (worthiness – Revelation 5:12), I am free from the condemnation of the law. He clothes me with His righteousness, which answers all the demands of the law.
I am complete in Him Who brings in everlasting righteousness (Ephesians 1:6 & Colossians 2:10). He presents me to God in the spotless garment of which no thread was woven by any human agent. All is of Christ, and all the glory, honor, and majesty are to be given to the Lamb of God, “which taketh away the sins of the whole world.” John 1:29, I John 2:2 & Romans 5:12-19
Many think that they must wait for a special impulse in order that they may come to Christ; but it is necessary only to come in sincerity of purpose, deciding to accept the offers of mercy and grace* (G5485 – the Divine Influence upon your heart) that have been extended to us.
We are to say (speak aloud – Romans 10:8-13): “Christ died to save me. The Lord’s desire is that I should be saved, and I will come to Jesus just as I am without delay. I will venture (step out in faith) upon the promise. As Christ draws me, I will respond.”
The apostle says, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:10). No one can believe with the heart unto righteousness, and obtain justification* (innocence, righteousness and holiness) by faith, while continuing the practice of those things which the Word of God forbids, or while neglecting any known duty . . .”
– 1 Selected Messages, p.395-396
“We build on Christ by obeying His Word (ref: I Peter 2:5-9). It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness. Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God . . . it is doing the will of our heavenly Father. When the children of Israel were encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was not enough for them to have a knowledge of Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone would not bring them into possession of the vineyards and olive groves of the goodly land. They could make it theirs in truth only by occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising living faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves, while they obeyed His instruction. {MB 149.1}
Religion consists in doing the Words of Christ; not doing to earn God’s favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest in works of righteousness. Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the followers of Christ. It is through action that character is built. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14. Not those whose hearts are touched by the Spirit, not those who now and then yield to its power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the sons of God . . . !” – Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.149
“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake . . . So that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh !” I Corinthians 4:10-11
“For what the Law of God could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh . . . for we were born with the sentence of death already upon us . . . God sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin (Daniel 9:23-24) in the flesh . . . So that the righteousness of the (God’s) Law might be filled full in us, who walk (live) not by the power of the flesh, but by the Spirit . . . !” Romans 8:2-4 and II Corinthians 1:9
“For it is not by might, nor by power . . . but by My Spirit (John 6:3 and “lively Oracles”), saith the LORD of hosts . . . !” Zechariah 4:6
May the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) both bless and keep you Today (Hebrews 3:3-19 & II Corinthians 6:2) . . . strong in faith, and the unfailing power of His Life-giving Word !
your brother and sister in Christ Jesus,
Eric & Sarah Wilson and family – Isaiah Ministries