THE PRIMACY OF FAITH (1)

“For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” – Ephesians 2:8

The WORD of GOD proclaims powerfully the PRIMACY of FAITH for Salvation and Redemption: “For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph.2: 8-9). Faith is one of the three Cornerstone of Christianity: “And now abide FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1Cor.13:13). Faith is foundational, fundamental, and primary to every aspect of Christianity, especially to Redemption; hence the commonly-used term, “The Christian Faith”! Every one of the wonderful Mysteries of Redemption is accessible only BY FAITH!

Christianity is more than a religion or a legalistic system – a structure of rules and regulations to be stringently followed. Christianity is a union or relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The existence and dynamics of Christianity are vastly superior to religion, legalism, and every other order or system established by man for the purpose of achieving the approval of God. Christianity flows from the Grace of God. However, there is ONLY ONE KEY that unlocks God’s treasure cache of GRACE for all humankind. That Key is FAITH: “For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (v.8).

What is Faith? The four Hebrew words in the Old Testament and three Greek words in the New Testament that were translated “Faith,” all convey the ideas of: “Firm persuasion, conviction and unshakeable trust.” To ‘express or have Faith’ is the same as ‘to trust’ or ‘believe’ in someone or something. It is the firm acceptance of something as fact. In this case, the firm trust and conviction in GOD and acceptance of HIS WORD as absolute Authority for life and destiny: “So Jesus answered and said to them, “HAVE FAITH in GOD” (Mk.11:23). Faith is a demonstration of Confidence in God, not in self, in men, in things, in ideas or in ideologies.

Without Faith, no one can receive ETERNAL LIFE: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who BELIEVE in His name” (Jh.1:12); “He who BELIEVES in the Son has EVERLASTING LIFE; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jh.3:36); “But these are written that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that BELIEVING you may have LIFE in HIS NAME” (Jh.20:31).

Without Faith, there is no access to God and to His Peace, Grace and Glory: “Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED by FAITH, we have PEACE with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have ACCESS by FAITH into this GRACE in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the GLORY of GOD” (Rom.5: 1-12). Without faith, there is no Justification. FAITH provides Access into GRACE! Faith is absolutely the most essential and fundamental element in accessing and experiencing God’s Life of Grace!

Without Faith there can be no spiritual beginning. It’s by Faith in Christ that we are: born-again – regenerated; united with God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; justified – declared righteous; made recipients of eternal life; reconciled to God; redeemed – purchased from the slave market of sin; no longer condemned or subject to eternal judgement; freed from the Mosaic Law; transformed into a new creation; adopted by God; guaranteed heavenly citizenship; given access to God; enabled to become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ and recipients of the power, gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit. These are only few of the wondrous Mysteries of Redemption that we access and experience as we accept Christ by Faith, for our personal salvation.