Why Faith?

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In this short topical Bible Study on the doctrine of “Justification” that I’ve been going through, I’ve learned that faith itself is not the righteousness upon which God declares us righteous in His sight; only the obedience of Christ is the evidence upon which our Creator pronounces His verdict that we are “just” (righteous; religious; influenced by a regard to the laws of God; or living in exact conformity to the divine will. Innocent, blameless and without guilt) and heirs to eternal life. Yet, the righteous of Christ cannot be ours apart from our receiving and resting (Quiet; repose; a state free from motion or disturbance; a state of reconciliation to God. A place of quiet; permanent habitation. That on which any thing leans or lies for support) in Christ alone.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

But why faith and not something else the instrumental means of justification? To answer this question the study states that we must understand something of the character of “saving faith”. - the assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to his guidance, and dependence on his merits for salvation. First, in keeping with the truth that our salvation is due to God’s mercy alone, faith is the only instrumental means of justification because faith is the gift of God. The gift of God refers to the entire grouping of grace, salvation and faith. The prefect righteousness of Christ is God’s gift to us, and even the means by which we receive it is the Lord’s gift given to us in regeneration of the spirit within us.

 Romans 9:16 “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”

Even though we exercise faith, we have it because God gives it to us through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. The “good works” that we do after we are justified are also gifts of God, but they are not the means by which we lay hold of Christ’s righteousness. Why? Because although faith is something we do - -we trust in Christ – the character of “saving” or “justifying” faith is to rest and receive, not to offer something meritorious to God. Saving faith can be likened to an open hand that simply receives what is offered, admitting that we have nothing in ourselves.

John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

All we present is an open hand, asking the Lord for His mercy and grace. Justifying faith is conscious that we deserve nothing but condemnation and does not try to make any excuse for sin or offer may merit in exchange for Christ’s righteousness. Jesus Christ is our blessed Redeemer and Savior alone.

Justified by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through faith.