What Is Meant? Justified By Faith!

Therefore we ought to give the more

earnest heed to the things which we 

have heard, lest at any time we should

let them slip. For is the word spoken

by the angels was steadfast, and

every transgression and disobedience

received a just recompense of reward;

how shall we escape, if we neglect

so great salvation; which at the first

began to be spoken by the Lord,

and was confirmed unto us by them

that heard Him; God also bearing them

witness, both with signs and wonders,

and with divers miracles, and gifts

of the Holy Spirit, according to His

own will?

Hebrews 2:1-4

     This foundational truth of Scripture in regards to Jesus Christ, the angles, and the revelation that God determined to save from sin the world by sending Jesus Christ, His Wisdom to be the Only Begotten Son, then ought we to heed this truth? No angel performed miracles, or gave to men the Holy Spirit, nor justified men, only by Jesus Christ are men saved from eternal death their reward for not believing in Jesus Christ, for not converting to Him. You are not saved by believing: you come to the place whereby you realize that you are saved by believing. Repentance does not save you, for repentance is a sign that you realize what God has done in and through Jesus Christ: "For is, when we were enemies,we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:10). What has happened in too many Churches today is to be the emphasis on effect instead of the cause. So many who attend Churches that emphasize speaking in some gibberish tongue, to emphasize healing, to emphasize being "slain in the spirit" when none of these things are Scriptural, but they do make a person feel godly. Bo be titillated, to join in group euphoria, to dance around wildly, and to do the most harmful thing, say that all this is Scriptural and apply proof versed to give them warrant and do not use good exegetical and use the context to give understanding of what is being written for our faith. 

     It is obedience that puts a person right with God. It is your consecration. That is what is taught but this is wrong, it is never those things that put you right with God. It is not faith in those teachings that brings you closer to God. Never! You are put right with God because prior to obedience, to consecration, Jesus Christ died. You must turn to God and by belief and accept what God has revealed then you can accept, instantly, the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ and that Atonement rushes into you bring you to a right relationship with God. This brings you into a right relationship with Jesus Christ and by that right relationship you will be obedient and consecrate your life to Him. This is a miracle, God's grace causes you to stand justified, not be being sorry for your sins, not because you have repented, but what Jesus has done. Yes, you will be sorry for your sins, yes, you will have repented, but all this is due to your realizing that you need a Savior, and that Jesus Christ is that Savior and by His death you can receive God's grace to be saved. God calls, God enables (John 6) and by grace the Holy Spirit indwells you when you believe and convert to what God has revealed: Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son who came to earth to live as a man satisfying the justice of God and by this propitiation you can receive salvation, eternal life. You are justified by faith. How does God do this? We cannot know for it is the work of God, but by faith you are saved.

     Human logic will never understand the salvation of God, it stand solely on the death of Jesus Christ. You can be born again because of the Atonement of our Lord. You can be changed from your sins, your sinful life, and become new creatures, not be some experience, not be their repentance or their belief, but by the marvelous work of God in Jesus Christ which is prior to all experience. You are justified, sanctified, in God alone. You do not have to work out these things yourself, they have been worked out by the Atonement. This supernatural work becomes natural by this miracle of God. Now, by faith, you believe, you convert and you come to the place where you realize what Jesus Christ has already done. All this according to the will of God. Will you apply faith in the truth of this faith? 

Your iniquities have turned away

     these things, and your sins

have withholden good things 

    from you. For among my people

are found wicked men: they lay 

    wait, as he that setteth snares;

the set a trap, they catch men.

               Jeremiah 5:25-26

Run from such men: Inspect what you expect

Richard L. Crumb