 | |
| "The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him." - Leo Tolstoy – |
Is that phrase "faith OF Jesus Christ" even found in the Bible you are using? Unless you are using the good ole King James translation, the devil has hijacked a central gospel truth from all the modern perVERSIONS of the bibles. Read on to learn a precious truth.
A brother inquired with a great question!
Dear kindred in Christ, I read about a thing in Scripture that I have trouble understanding. Sometimes, it seems clear; other times, not so clear. What it is is the phrase "faith of Christ".
Some say that it means the faith which is of (or originates from) Jesus.
Others say that the faith of Christ means Christ's fidelity to the everlasting covenant of grace....
I must confess that I am fond of it being His fidelity; for that seems to give more glory to Him. But I do not wish to be divisive on this.
What are your thoughts?
+++++++++
I responded:
Brother xyz,
Prejudice and preconceived ideas cause a man to deny and reject even the most obvious...
The FIRST occurrence of the phrase "faith of Jesus Christ" is found in Rom 3, in the context where apostle Paul carefully demonstrated the basis and ground of our justification before God by His grace.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
v21 - declares the righteousness of God, i.e righteousness of God's own provision, righteousness needed for our justification before Him, i.e. eternal salvation.
v22 - informs how the righteousness of God is provided... it is through the faith OF Jesus Christ... this righteousness is provided through the FAITHFULNESS of Jesus Christ rendering perfect obedience to the law of God. All modern translations translated that in "it is through the faith IN - IN -IN Jesus Christ." Great perversion of the gospel truth.
Take a look here: pistis in the context means fidelity, faithfulness - the character of one who can be relied on!!!!! This usage of the word faith in the Scriptures is unknown to the vast majority of people!!! It is time to recover the truth hidden under a heap of rubbish and lies1
... http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4102&t=KJV ).
Righteousness is through the obedience to the law. Sin is the transgression of the law, and brings condemnation and death. Justification unto life demands righteousness. That righteousness is EITHER by a man's own faithful obedience to the law, or by Christ's faithful obedience to the law.
It is NOT - NOT - NOT by your faith in Christ, NOT EVEN the Christ's given faith!!! NO, NOT EVEN THAT! Christ's given faith CANNOT justify a CONDEMNED man before God. That's elementary. Righteousness is REQUIRED in justification!!!
Sins brings condemnation of death.
Righteousness ALONE brings justification of life, i.e. eternal salvation.
Faith, man's act of believing, DOES NOT brings justification of life, i.e. eternal salvation. That's a lie and a fable!
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation [of death]; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
v23 - declares the fact that all have not faith, THAT IS - all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... all have transgressed against the law of God... none of Adam's race is excluded... therefore ALL under the condemnation of death. ONLY Christ Jesus did not fall short of the glory of God - through His FAITHFULNESS in obeying perfectly all the laws of God.
v24 - 'the faith OF - OF - OF Jesus Christ' in verse 22 is the same as "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". Justification is by the free grace of God... bestowed upon the man in the state of condemnation and death WITHOUT him meeting any condition... and that free grace justification is based on the faith OF - OF - OF Christ Jesus, EVEN the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
How could the exercise of faith, a fruit and effect of salvation worked freely by the Holy Spirit in God's children, be at the SAME TIME the instrument to obtain that same salvation???
+++++++++
I have written a great deal on this subject. Type "faith of Jesus Christ" into the search box, and read the related articles.
Other passages speaking of the faith of Christ Jesus...
Ga 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Ga 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
