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Paul wrote: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just
shall live by faith'" (Rom. 1:16-17).
Without faith we can neither be saved nor live according to God's
will. Therefore, Christians live by faith. With this in mind, this
article is devoted to a brief overview of faith relating to a Christian's
life in Christ.
The beginning and end of the epistle teach us that we must be obedient
to the faith (Rom. 1:5; 16:26). Thus, Paul's epistle to the Romans
is an epistle of faith. Faith comes from hearing the word of God
(Rom. 10:17); and God's children are those who are obedient to the
faith (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).
Righteousness is through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22) because
redemption is in Christ (Rom. 3:24). God is the justifier of the
one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26) since He sent Jesus to be
a propitiation by His blood (Rom. 3:25).
Christians have been justified by faith and have peace with God
(Rom. 5:1). They glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance and hope (Rom. 5:3-5).
Christians have been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3) and thus receive
the gift of God - eternal life (Rom. 6:23). Those who are not in
Christ receive the wages of sin - death (Rom. 6:23).
Christians submit themselves as slaves to God (Rom. 6:15). They
are slaves of righteousness for holiness (Rom. 6:19). They have
been set free from sin; and they have become slaves to God bearing
fruit of holiness (Rom. 6:22).
Christians do not walk according to the flesh, but according to
the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has made them free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2). They
are children of God (Rom. 8:15-17).
Christians know that all things work together for good to those
who love God (Rom. 8:28). And, they know that nothing can separate
them from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:32f). Christians are more than
conquerors through Christ (Rom. 8:38).
Christians believe and confess that God raised Jesus from the dead
(Rom. 10:8-10). They call on the name of the Lord and are saved
(Rom. 10:13).
Christians present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable
to God. It is their reasonable service. They are not conformed to
this world, but they are transformed by the renewing of their minds.
They prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God (Rom. 12:1-2).
Christians live by faith; thus, they are obedient to the faith
(Rom. 16:26).
Are you living by faith?
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