The righteous shall live by faith-
September 16, 2019 - The apostle Paul said these words of faith in the book of Romans as he describes his own faith in Christ Jesus when he says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) Paul more deeply describes this, faith for faith, in chapter three when he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament) bear witness to it - the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22) Faith as shown by Jesus as his faith in the Father, faith that allowed him to place himself upon the cross to die horribly for the sins of all mankind. Faith exhibited by Job as he sat in the garbage heap, covered in sores, having lost everything he owned, having no clue as to why he was suffering but having total trust in the Lord.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (Job 19:25-27) Faith undying, without question, without doubt. Job’s faith gave him joy and peace in the knowledge that his redeemer lives and one day he would see him in the flesh and be with him forever. But for those who refuse to do God’s will, which is to believe in the One whom he has sent, the Lord Jesus Christ, a much different story.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18)
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28)
“There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace fro everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:9-11)
All people must stand in judgement, for the believers, the judgement seat of Christ, but for those who do evil, the Great White Throne judgment, when all who come before him are judged guilty and sentenced to an eternal hell of suffering. I pray that you too will have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have been justified by your faith in him.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
Accept Jesus as Lord today and know forever the joy of living in him, knowing that your eternity is secure and that he waits for your arrival, forever at home with him…
