Based on Faith
Too often I meet Christians who have not embraced fully the freedom Christ offers to us. Lovely Christian people who are paralyzed by fear of possibly doing something that would keep them away from heaven. Like God’s grace would not be powerful enough to cover them if they are not perfect Christians. Why have they not been told it’s not about their religiosity? It’s about the power of God. We can’t save ourselves no matter how hard we try. Thank God, righteousness is not based on works, it’s based on faith in Jesus. Otherwise, none of us would make it.
For not knowing about God’s righteousness [which is based on faith], and seeking to establish their own [righteousness based on works], they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law [it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him], for [granting] righteousness to everyone who believes [in Him as Savior]. (Romans 10:3-4, AMP)
Based on faith
Blessedly, righteousness is based on faith, not on works. Truly, it’s not about us, it’s about Jesus. Our salvation is God’s work from start to finish. It’s all grace. With the words of Alexander MacLaren “That which of all things unfits man for the reception of Christ as a Savior, is not gross profligacy and outward, vehement transgression, but it is self-complacency, fatal self-righteousness and self-sufficiency.” Sinfulness is the only prerequisite for grace. Without knowing our wretchedness, we do not recognize our need for grace.
When we think we can make it on our own, we are self-complacent and self-sufficient. Hence we have become enemies of grace. The exact opposite what God desires for us: becoming friends of grace.
Christ is the end of the law because its purpose is fulfilled in him. God has provided as much as grace as we will ever need. It is all finished. We can only accept (or reject) the gift of salvation. And let the Holy Spirit do any changing he desires for us. You see, even sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
…not on works
How could we get this message of God’s love and grace through? That our righteousness, our salvation, is not based on works but on faith. So people would not try to establish their own righteousness and get desperate when they fail at trying. My heart goes out to everyone who does not know (s)he is not an enemy of God. Because, in reality, (s)he is the apple of God’s eye. Because God even sent his only son to die on the cross, so he could give his righteousness to every single one who believes in Jesus as Savior.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9, NIV)
So if God has touched your heart, rejoice! You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Hence nothing will separate you from the grace of God. Absolutely nothing. God’s grace wins hands down anything and everything in your past, present, and in the future.
Let us pray:
Dear God,
Thank you for loving us so much that you decided
righteousness is based on faith in Jesus and not on our works.
Otherwise, none of us would make it.
Thank you for loving us so much that
you arranged everything for us in Jesus.
We love you and we want to serve you.
Send your Holy Spirit to change what needs to be changed
but thank you that our righteousness is not based on our works
Help us to share this with others
so no one would have to live in fear of your judgment.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen
Q4U: How does knowing your righteousness is based on faith and not works change your life? How could we better communicate this to people who live in fear?
Be blessed my fellow pilgrim as you embrace the fact that your righteousness is based on faith only!
Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger on Unsplash. I am linking up with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.
6 thoughts on “Based on Faith”
I think the more we spend time with God the more it becomes about faith rather than works. I’ve struggled with this in the past, but I’m working on learning to ABIDE and DWELL in Him this year!
YES! It’s all about loving Him and abiding and dwelling in Him. Abundant blessings to you as you do so! Thanks, Rebecca, for sharing!
My quiet time today is in Ephesians 1:3-6, which fits perfectly with what you are saying here, Mari-Anna. So true and so important! I hope that those who do not yet understand this are impacted by your words of truth here!
May it be so! Thanks, Beth, for your thoughtful comment. Especially the fifth verse resonates with me “God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” We are so blessed. May we always know it and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! Blessings to you, sis!
I don’t know what to say to a couple of my Bible study group members who are mostly paralyzed by the fear that some demon will jump on them from somewhere. Everything seems to be dangerous from tv shows to pure fitness purpose yoga, and sometimes they don’t even know where this or that evil spirit came from. I’m clueless with them! I feel anxious every time they start ranting about these things. It’s somehow underestimating the work Christ did for us, just like His sacrifice wouldn’t cover it ALL and keep us SAFE.
Hi, Kutri! I hear you. Living in fear is never a good thing. Overly active imagination is not a good thing either but I do think we need to be wise with our decisions. How to achieve this balance? Live and learn I guess. But yes, we need to trust Jesus more than our imagination and fears. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate you. Abundant blessings!