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| The righteous shall live by faith |
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There's a bit of unease I am willing to endure for this uncharacteristically, unusually long post coming from me. All five posts represent a single, related message. Scripture is highlighted in blue. Underlined, bold, italized or red text is for emphasis, only. I posted this (5) message on Interfaith Dialogue on Orkut, originally.
_______________________ There's a difficulty among some theists which often puts them at odds with other theists and atheists. This difficulty is the inability to articulate a coherent response to the question of salvation. This question with respect to salvation often comes from those who, believe in God, but are not familiar with tenets or doctrines on God from any particular faith: What salvation is there for those who do not know Jesus? The question is particularly directed towards Christians because of the NT assertion in Acts 4:12 There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” The response, whether from Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians and others, may satisfy a fellow adherent, but leaves the inquirer with an unanwered question, still. I hold the belief the scriptures are the written revelation of the will of God. Yet, I am mindful God has been making himself known long before the written accounts of his interaction with man. While God desires all man to be saved, because of sin, man must be made righteous and declared justified by God if man is to attain salvation before God. Sin is a transgression, or violation, of the will of God. God is mindful of man's ignorance of his will for man. It is for this reason he has always made available the way to all men and women. Even so, frustration and uncertainty remains in the minds of those who seek and enquire to know the will of God. Abraham is common to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The scriptures attest to his righteousness. Yet, he does not fit into those same people's own understanding and teaching of righteousness so important to the salvation of man from sin. Salvation from sin follows righteousness which results in justification before God. The scripture, "The righteous shall live by faith" is rooted in the example of Abraham and his righteousness.
Still, Abraham, to anyone familiar with his demeanor, actions and words as recorded in the Old Testament, would be quick to stake no claim to any righteousness of his own. Abram became keenly aware of his own ungodliness when the God who is Holy called him. The significance of the ungodliness of Abraham and the righteousness of God means:
I. The ungodly know God.
a. Abraham believed God even while he was a worshipper of idols.
b. Abraham was uncircumcised, without covenant or expectations, when he believed God.
c. Abraham's belief of God, that is his faith, was counted as righteousness. d. Abraham was justified by faith.
II. The hope for all men to be justified before God.
a. Abraham is acknowledged as a real figure in history.
b. Abraham lived before circumcision, Moses, the law, and the new covenant of Jesus.
c. Abraham forsook his worship of idols when the God of heaven and earth called him.
III. The beginning of a relationship with God.
a. Abraham received circumcision as a sign of his obedience.
b. Abraham was obedient to offer up his son Isaac.
c. Abraham offered up Isaac because he believed the God who gives life.
d. Abraham believed in hope against hope the God who gives life was able to raise even Isaac from the dead.
e. Abraham was called a friend of God.
f. Abraham is the father of all who put their faith in Jesus.
The significance of Abraham's obedience is that he believed God, as it is written, The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed". Galatians 3:8 It is this belief of Abraham that God raises the dead without Abraham having seen it literally which is what God demonstrated by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead by the power of the Spirit of holiness. (Romans 1:4) Abraham offered up Isaac after he had received the fulfillment of the promise of the birth of Isaac. Effectively, the offering of Isaac meant Abraham was putting an end to his seed. He was willing to do because he believed God raises the dead.
and
By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son; even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”; concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. Hebrews 11:17 - 19
and
For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:16 - 25
and
This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were. Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your seed be". Romans 4:18 - 19
The matter of justification by faith, in the case of the Jews, and, justification through faith, in the case of Gentiles, is the focus of much of the apostle Paul's writings in Romans 3:1 - 4:25 and Galatians 3:1-29. These passages may be a bit long, but they are an explanation towards understanding the justification of the ungodly, like Abraham, who turn to God. The problem which concerned Paul was the teaching that was making its way into the church by Jewish teachers. These teachers were confusing the faith of Christians telling them it was necessary to keep the law and circumcision as a condition of their salvation. It is to this doctrine of salvation by works (keeping the law, circumcision) to which Paul speaks by citing the example of Abraham who was justified by faith, not works, long before the law and while uncircumcised. The apostle James, on the other hand, cites the example of Abraham in James 2:19-26 with the opposite point in mind: Justification by works. Where Paul was responding to those who sought justification by works, James is responding to those who sought justification by faith, only, that is faith without works. The question James poses to his readers is about how Abraham was justified. Abraham, James states, was justified by works, namely that Abraham offered up his son Issac, a work of faith which lives on as a testimony of Abraham and as an example for all who put their faith in God.
Both, Old and New Testaments always, consistently showcase examples of individuals who demonstrated their belief in God followed by their work of obedience.
Abraham is an example of those who know not circumcision, the law of Moses or the new covenant in Jesus. Yet, Abraham is justified before God by his faith in God and his faith is counted as righteousness to him. The scripture testifies of Abraham that he was called a friend of God in Isaiah 41:8 which is cited by in the NT in James 2:23. Overally simplified, righteousness is doing what is right. Overally simplified, justification is being declared by God as right, or righteous in the eyes of God.
Anyone who sees Abraham as a model to preclude or exempt obedience and to merely "walk by faith" for their salvation has failed to fully appreciate the meaning of these words, "the righteous shall live by faith" and this final point: Abraham obeyed God. |
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