“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of (from) Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22 (KJV)
“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 (from) the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
The Apostle Paul wrote these wonderful words in Ephesians 2:8-9 below. These words set our salvation apart from any obligatory requirement for "works" as was under "the Law."
I've often noted and tried to share the important matter of "the faith OF God... faith OF Jesus Christ," etc." to differentiate it from the phrase "faith in Jesus Christ" used in most modern Bible translations. Sensing that I've fallen short in communicating the meaning of "the faith of Christ," I'd like to make another effort to explain this with additional understanding I have gained from the writings of Cornelius Stam.
As you read through the various Articles and Study Series I've posted in this website, you will note that the topic of my writing always concerns Christ and our living relationship with Him. I thought some may want to know who I am and my point of view.
Every Christian is the product of their life experiences and God's intervention in their lives. I'm just like you if you too are a believer who has received the regenerating "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." We thus are recipients of God the Father's grace, love and His literal life, received in the person His Son, Jesus Christ, as "the Spirit of life" (Rom 8:2a, cf., 2Cor 3:17, 1John 4:13). Christ literally indwells our spirit (cf., John 3:6, 1Cor 6:17, Rom 8:16) as our new and eternal life (Col 3:4, Gal 2:20). See more.
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In the light of Bible prophecy, we as grace-age believers naturally wonder how long the present course of things will continue before God ultimately intervenes in human affairs. There are the two ‘time indicators,’ and the challenge below to consider. 1. The Gentile and the Jew. In this Biblical age the Gentile is on the top, so to speak, while the Jew is on the bottom. In the O.T., especially in the book of Deuteronomy, the nation of Israel was warned that if they disobeyed the Lord they would be scattered among the nations and be few in numbers; they would be the tail and not the head. Acts 28 records the announcement of this sad plight, and the greatest LO-AMMI time-period began for Israel. (Lo-ammi means ‘Israel is NOT MY PEOPLE and I am not their God,’ Hosea 1:9). As result of Paul’s Acts 28:28 declaration, the Gentiles have had about 2,000 years of opportunity since the setting aside of Israel. “Be it known therefore unto you [Israel], that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” Acts 28:28 (KJV) Likewise in time past, Israel was also on the scene for close to the same amount of time. Before Abraham the nations (Gentiles) had close to 2,000 years of opportunity before getting set aside. So according to the 6,000 years of human history teaching, man's day is close to its end, and the Sabbatical year, called the Millennium, may be just around the corner. The other time indicator is what the Prophetic teachers call it: 2. The Prophetic Clock. The Prophetic Clock stopped running when Israel was set aside in Acts 28:28. Since that time all prophecy with regard to Israel and the nations has also STOPPED, even though a secular nation called Israel has been established in the Holy Land. The clock is still stopped, but it seems the world stage is being set and the end times are very close. As we anticipate the development of the end-times we naturally wonder what our response should now be. I find that response in it this third topic: 3. The Challenge. We are to make the best possible use of time. In Eph. 5:16 and Col. 4:5 we are told to REDEEM THE TIME, and WALK IN WISDOM TOWARD THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT. Even though Eph. 3:9 “fellowship of the mystery” should be our first concern, yet our wise and well-timed remarks can be made to the unsaved about the essential truths of John 3:16 offering of eternal life if we pray for such occasions. There are yet hungry soul’s waiting to be saved by God’s grace. Let us pray for their salvation and let us speak when the situation allows.
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