Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we reflect on one of our Christian faith’s most profound and transformative truths: salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. This doctrine, central to our belief, is deeply embedded in Romans and Old Testament Scriptures. Let us journey through these sacred texts to understand how faith in Jesus Christ brings about our salvation, transforms our lives, and secures our eternity with God.
The Foundation in Old Testament Scriptures
To fully grasp the significance of salvation by faith, we must start with the foundation laid in the Old Testament Scriptures. The Old Testament, revered by Jews and Christians, provides numerous insights into the nature of faith and its role in our relationship with God.
**Genesis and the Faith of Abraham**
In Genesis 15:6, we read about Abraham: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, Abraham’s faith in God’s promises serves as a paradigm of faith. His trust in God’s promise of descendants, land, and blessings was counted to him as righteousness. This illustrates that righteousness before God is not based on human effort but faith in His promises.
**Habakkuk and the Righteousness by Faith**
The prophet Habakkuk echoes this sentiment in Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” This verse emphasizes that adherence to the law does not grant life and righteousness but living by faith. This prophetic insight lays the groundwork for the New Testament’s teachings on faith and righteousness.
The Revelation in Roman Scriptures
The New Testament, particularly the writings of the Apostle Paul, fully reveals the concept of salvation by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul’s epistle to the Romans is a foundational text for understanding this doctrine.
**Romans 1:16-17: The Power of the Gospel**
Paul begins his letter to the Romans with a powerful declaration: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Here, Paul directly quotes Habakkuk, linking the righteousness by faith proclaimed in the Old Testament Scriptures to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God for salvation because it reveals the righteousness that comes from faith.
**Romans 3:21-26: Justification by Faith**
Paul further expounds on this in Romans 3:21-26: “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given to all who believe in Jesus Christ through faith. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Here, Paul clarifies that righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic background. All have sinned, and thus, all need the redemption Jesus offers. This redemption is a gift of grace, underscoring that it cannot be earned by human effort but is received through faith.
**Romans 5:1-2: Peace and Grace**
Paul continues in Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Justification by faith brings peace with God and access to His grace. This peace is not a temporary or fragile state but a secure and lasting reconciliation with our Creator.
**Romans 10:9-10: Confession and Belief**
In Romans 10:9-10, Paul provides a clear and simple summary of the process of salvation by faith: “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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Salvation comes through a heartfelt belief in Jesus’ resurrection and a verbal confession of His lordship. This belief and confession are acts of faith that result in justification and salvation.
The Unity of Scripture
As we have seen, the concept of salvation by faith is not a New Testament innovation but a fulfillment and expansion of the truths already present in the Hebrew Scriptures. The faith of Abraham, the prophetic words of Habakkuk, and the teachings of Paul in Romans all point to the same reality: our righteousness and salvation come through faith in God, now revealed in Jesus Christ.
The Transformative Power of Faith
Understanding salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative truth that changes our lives. When we place our trust in Jesus, we are justified before God, meaning we are declared righteous despite our sins. This justification brings us into a new relationship with God, marked by peace and grace.
Moreover, faith in Jesus Christ empowers us to live differently. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Faith in Jesus leads to a new way of living, characterized by Christ’s indwelling presence and motivated by His sacrificial love.
Conclusion: Embracing the Gift of Faith
In conclusion, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of grace rooted in the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures and fully revealed in the New Testament. It transforms our relationship with God, bringing peace, grace, and a new way of life. Let us, therefore, embrace this gift with grateful hearts, live out our faith in Jesus daily, and proclaim the good news of salvation to all who will listen.
May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ, and may we continually grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Institute of the Living Light 