The Just Shall Live by Faith

Jesus found Himself at odds with the established religious community of the time throughout His ministry on earth. His ministry was one that upset the rules, traditions and customs of their beliefs on a regular basis; He rocked the boat with everything He said and did and made almost everyone around Him anywhere from uncomfortable to outright enraged. He became that "stumbling stone and Rock of offense" at every turn. Why?

The Gentiles have been made right with God by faith, even though they were not seeking him. But the Jews, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law and being good instead of by depending on faith. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that causes people to stumble, and a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed." Romans 9:30-33 New Living Translation

Here's the same passage in The Message translation:

And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

"Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can't get around.
But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, you'll find me on the way, not in the way."

The religion of the day dictated rules, regulations, etc. that the people were expected to keep, essentially requiring them that they "earn" their way to heaven by their works. They were "ever in pursuit of a law for the securing of righteousness", always looking for a formula to gain God's favor. According to Paul, this way of thinking is a stumbling stone, an offense that causes people to stumble, because it takes men away from faith, essentially putting their righteousness into their own hands, and taking it out of God's.

Jesus never made a "to do" list for His disciples beyond the command to love. In fact, in John 6:29, He pretty much laid it out for them- "This is the work of God, that ye believe..." In fact, Paul takes it a step further in Galatians 5:4-6 and says that if you try to go back under the law, you are fallen from grace- "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." King James Version

Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). He set it up that way so that no man could ever boast before Him about what great and wonderful things they have done. It is the grace of God, and the grace of God alone that we are able to be made acceptable to Him- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

This is the truth that has rocked religious institutions throughout history. This is essentially what Jesus preached when He said, "Whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life..." (John 3:15)

This is the truth that Martin Luther saw in the book of Romans and challenged the established church of the 1500's, sparking the Protestant Reformation. And it is this truth that triggered the resulting persecution of his followers, ultimately resulting in the settling of America.

And this is the Truth that sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. Throughout history, men have desperately wanted to cling to a set of rules, a formula they can work that they think will earn them a place in heaven. But God honors faith, not works. This is hard for many to grasp, partly because people want to be able to do something. People love formulas.

The difference between religion and Chrisianity is that religion requires sacrifice on your part. In Christanity, God offers His Son freely to you that you might live through faith. Religions dictate that men try to reach God through their own efforts. Christianity is God reaching out to man, offering eternal life freely to those who simply believe. The just shall live by faith.

This is the stumbling block that has caused so many to be offended. This is the Truth that is so simple, yet causes so many to fall. Salvation is by the grace of God through faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast. Religious people have a hard time with this. There is an underlying belief, at least in most of America, that if you're good enough, God will make room for you in heaven; this is a belief that pulls people off into works sometimes not even really consciously. It can be a subconscious mindset that keeps you tied to law, tied to some set of rules, the do's and don'ts of life.

Paul spoke to the Galatians who wanted to go back under the law:

"Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. In the same way, 'Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.' The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God... But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God's Book of the Law." Galatians 3:2-10 New Living Translation

True righteousness before God is righteousness which comes by faith, not by works. So then, what of works? Works that are done as a means to gain God's favor are worthless. Works won't change your heart before God; works can't make you righteous. But a changed heart will transform your works into deeds done out of a heart of love, a heart that has first been changed by the matchless, overwhelming love and grace of God. The Bible is very clear about this- faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). Love and faith work together, and faith without works is dead (James 2:20, 26); it's just a matter of getting the cart before the horse. You need the heart change first, the righteousness which is of faith, then the works will come out of a heart of love, the love of God that is "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 5:5). When God changes your heart, then works will have real significance; they will witness to others of the love of God that changed you. A changed heart will produce the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, etc (Galatians 5:22-23), and works out of a heart that is filled with that fruit will witness to the world of the love of God.

I thank You, Father, that Your Word will not return to You void, but it will accomplish what You please and it will prosper in my life, for You watch over Your Word to perform it. I thank You, Lord, for the covenant of blood I have with You by the blood of Your Son, Jesus. I receive that blood and the covenant promises of life, health and prosperity over my life today.

Jesus, You were made to be sin for me that I might be made the righteousness of God in You. I receive that life over me and my house today. As for me and my house, we serve the Lord. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I am saved and my house. The seed of the righteous shall be delivered. I thank You, Lord, that You are pouring Your Spirit upon my house and Your blessing upon my offspring. I thank You, Father, for salvation and the blessing that is working in my house today.

I thank You, Lord, for the healing You have provided my house by the covenant of blood. For You bare my sins in Your own body on the tree that I being dead to sin might live unto righteousness, by whose stripes I am healed. You sent Your Word and healed me and delivered me from my destructions. I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Your Word is life and health to all my flesh and I prosper and am in health even as my soul prospers. I receive the healing in my body that You died to give me. By Your stripes I am healed.

Now Father, I receive Your provision for my life today, for I know the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ that though You were rich, yet for my sake You became poor that I through Your poverty might be rich and abundantly supplied. You are making all grace come to my house in abundance that we may always, and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient- possessing enough to require no aid or support, and my house is furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. I thank you Father for seed for the sowing and bread for the eating. I am enriched in all things and in every way. I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and all these things are added unto me. I thank You, Lord, for giving me power to get wealth that You can establish Your covenant in the earth through me today. The blessing is working in my house today.

Now Lord, I declare that I am not weak in faith when I consider my circumstances. No unbelief or distrust makes me waver or doubtingly question concerning Your promises for my life. I am growing strong and am empowered by faith as I give praise and glory to God, fully satisfied and assured that You, Lord, are able and might to keep Your Word and do what You have promised in my life. I have the life of God. I live life in abundance, to the full, til it overflows. I overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of my testimony. I thank You, Lord, for the life, health and prosperity that You died to give me, so that the world will see Jesus in my life. I give You all the glory, in Jesus' Name, amen.

References- Is. 55;11; Jer. 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Josh. 24:15; Acts 16:31; Prov. 11:21; Is. 44:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; Ps. 107:20; Ps. 118:17; Prov. 4:22; 3 Jn 2; 2 Cor. 8:9 Amp.; 2 Cor. 9:8-11 Amp.; Mt. 6:33; Deut. 8:18; Rom. 4:19-21; Jn. 10:10 Amp.; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rev. 21:11.

Online Ministries

For quintessential faith teachings, see Kenneth Copeland Ministries, one of the best to learn about faith. Check out "Real Help", a section on their website that has loads of online articles, etc, to give you help in lots of different areas, all free.

For loads of free downloadable teachings on faith, finances, healing, etc, etc, see Keith Moore Ministries. He has loads of very practical, every-day, down-to-earth teaching that's strictly in line with the Word of God to help you walk in victory as God intended.

For very practical, down-to-earth teaching that speaks to everyone in their day-to-day lives, see Joyce Meyer Ministries, a ministry that will give you insight into how to deal with the things we all confront every day.

Another website with great teaching available is Andrew Wommak Ministries; I highly recommend his teaching on The True Nature of God, a very good in-depth teaching on the goodness of God that will correct the traditional view of God as a cranky old man waiting to knock you in the head to teach you something.

Other Online Helps

A great Bible reference site with loads of translations and other helps is Biblegateway.com

A site that has a collection of faith-building resources is cfaith.com; I've just found this one and don't know what all is available there yet, beyond loads of free articles by quite a few different authors.

For communicating with other Christians, try Grace Centered Christian Forums.

For help with troubled marriages, check out Marriage Helper with Joe Beam and Lovepath International.