We Are Saved by Faith

Theologian Louis Berkhof wrote, "Justification is a judicial act of God, in which He declares on the basis of righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ that all claims of the law are satisfied with respect to the sinner."    - Source: Systematic Theology, p. 513.

Christianity imparts that nothing we could ever do will ever close the rift between God's moral perfection, and our imperfect day-to-day conduct. Sure, honorable actions are important, but they won't put us on the fast track to eternal life. We're saved not because of anything we accomplish. Our salvation is given to us by God. It is a gift from Him (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Justification before God is attained soley by faith in Jesus Christ. And, when we put our trust in Jesus Christ we are justified. Our sins are forgiven, and we are totally accepted by God. We receive this tremendous spiritual benefit by way of Christ's perfect life and sacrificial death.

Not one of here us deserves this substitutionary act. We certainly can't work or pay for it. Still, those who lay their faith in Him are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). Justification by faith keeps us from getting big-headed due to pride. It also gives mankind the chance to be saved while still upholding the laws we have broken.

Even so, getting many non-Christians to understand this concept of "simply trusting Jesus" can prove to be difficult. It may be challenging for them to comprehend that earning God's favor, or acceptance is not dependent what one does.

Jesus paid the price for all of us when He died on the cross. And, obtaining God's forgiveness, eternal life, and a right relationship with Him is gained by simply giving ourselves over to His mercy; and trusting in Him to save us (Romans 4:5).

Therefore, you and I are saved by faith in what Christ has done on the Cross, not by what we do on our own. Put simply, justification by works looks to man’s own efforts for salvation. Justification by faith looks to God for salvation. The difference is crystal clear.

The Bible's take on this is that everyone is a sinner and therefore is guilty before God. Not one of us, through his or her own efforts can make themself just, or blameless before God. For any of us to be justified without works is to be justified without anything in ourselves worthy of justification.

Dear friends, in closing, if you've been justified by faith in Christ because you have received Him by faith, you will by faith be following Christ. Remember, salvation isn't achieved by what we do, but rather what Christ has done for us.

Scripture: Romans 5:1; Titus 3:7; Philippians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 3:28

Prayer: Dear God, I know there is no way that I could ever, by my own accord, earn my way to eternal life. So, I give you my thanks and praise to You for loving me enough to pay the ultimate price on the Cross, so that I might be able to spend eternity with You. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Joan