Justified by the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ; Part 4

Gal 2:16 NET "yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

Heb 11:6 NET  "Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Think about the incarnation of God in Christ. Having been born into the world similar to all of humanity, he was born with no recollection that he was from God, or at least, if babies are born with that understanding they soon lose it, and do not ever communicate it or remember it beyond the time that language and thinking is formed. While the gospels explain that Jesus was bright and above average as a youngster (Luke 2:39-52) He did not receive the Spirit until his baptism. It is important to understand the humanity of Jesus to understand his mission. The Holy Spirit was the way in which the Father spoke to Jesus. The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus the human incarnation of God to perform the miracles, and be clairsentient, clairvoyant, claircognizant and clairaudient.

This is where Jesus' perfect faith came into play. It is the way in which he was the representative human that would completely and absolutely please God. In fact, the scripture records the Father saying "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." When you examine that proclamation of God in light of Hebrews 11:6 it is easy to understand what Paul meant when he said that we were justified by the faithfulness/faith of Christ. First it is only faith that pleases God, and secondly, God says my beloved Son in whom I am WELL PLEASED! If faith is the only thing that pleases God, then it follows that if He was well pleased it would be by perfect faith, and the perfect faith is the faith/faithfulness of Jesus.

And, the scripture tells us that. John 8:28-29 NET  "Then Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me.  (29)  And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him.” When you read the above passage from John chapter eight it should become crystal clear that Jesus had perfect faith, and that it was his perfect faith that was his perfect obedience. First, he did NOTHING on his own initiative but only what the Father taught him, and secondly, he ALWAYS, let me emphasize this, ALWAYS does/did the things that pleased the Father. This means that he always operated out of faith in what the Father was telling him, and thus had perfect faith.

Paul goes on to state that faith = obedience. Rom 1:5 NET  "Through him we have received grace and our apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of his name." Jesus obedience was his perfect faith in what the Father told him, even unto death on the cross, and our obedience is believing what God did in the incarnation of Christ. It was the Holy Spirit, first given to Christ at his baptism, that enabled perfect faith for Christ, and it is Christ's faith that has enabled us to receive the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to apprehend the faith of Christ. Therefore, our obedience is to believe the gospel no matter what.

That means we must believe the gospel no matter what we see or do. God wants us to believe that He reconciled the world through Christ, that he is not counting sin, and that he has declared us to be the very righteousness of God based on Christ's faith. This is a tall order, and is a long ways from easy believism, a term devised by those truly ignorant of the true, pure gospel. Believing the gospel is anything but easy, and it was certainly not easy for Jesus to be the forerunner of such faith.

Links to the previous posts in this series.  Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

Justified by the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ; Part 3

Gal 2:16 NET Translation "yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

This is the third post in a series, and while I am not certain how many more posts will follow, I am certain that this subject is a most important concept in the message and mission of Jesus Christ, (Jeshua Hamashiach.) I include the Jewish name for Jesus to assure all that I am referring to the Jewish Messiah, the Saviour of the World.

For many years I have had to switch between translations of the bible. The reason for this was that some render a passage differently than I believe to be faithful to the original language. This has been especially true for the New Testament (the first century Greek Scriptures.) I believe I have found one that will allow me to switch no longer. It is the NET (New English Translation.) I have not read it completely or thoroughly at this point but in looking at the passages that I have had concerns about in the past it certainly passes muster.

In the above rendering of Galatians 2:16 the translators have rendered the faith of Christ as the faithfulness of Christ which I actually think is more accurate and it directly relates to Christ's faith. If one renders Gal 2:16 faith IN Christ Jesus then it speaks of something we do. If on the other hand, it is rendered the faithfulness or faith OF Christ Jesus, it is then something that God does through and in Christ. Paul states in 2Cor 5 that God was IN Christ reconciling the world to Himself and this certainly is in agreement with justification coming through the faithfulness OF Jesus Christ.

Further, Romans chapter five falls into line with the concept of the faithfulness of Christ. Rom 5:18 NET  "Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people." Adams unfaithfulness resulted in death and condemnation, and Jesus Christ's faithfulness resulted in life and justification. In both cases the first and last Adam, the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the one ended up affecting the many or all.

This is why John's gospel becomes key in this. Especially in chapters 7-17 one finds details of the faith/faithfulness of Jesus Christ. In reading this passage it becomes obvious that Jesus faithfulness/faith was indeed perfect, which in turn, was a perfect offering to God making Jesus the perfect sacrifice. Now understand this. It was not a sacrifice to appease God, but rather, a sacrifice to appease the conscience of humanity. This is why the Christus Victor atonement view is so important. Jesus Christ's faithfulness/faith was victorious over Satan's attempt to  destroy humanity with Adam's unfaithfulness/faithlessness.

In fact, the writings of Paul and the gospel of John unite to show a consolidated view of God's actions in redemption and salvation. In this view it is God who initiates and God who completes redemption. Humanity has nothing to do with it except to apprehend it by faith. Yes, this shows radical grace, and it is in fact this radical grace that transformed the world in the first century, Acts 17:6. It was this concept that turned the world upside down.

As I have stated in the past two posts in this series, make of it what you will, as for me and my house we will believe the gospel!

Links to the other two posts in this series...    Part 1  Part 2

Justified by the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ; Part 2

Gal 2:16 KJV  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.

This is a follow-up to a recent post that I wrote. I will provide a link at the end of this post so that you can read both if you like. Also, as always, I am happy to have comments or reactions to this post. The Calvinists have pointed out since their conception that if we are saved by our faith in Christ then, our faith would in fact be a necessary work. They use then the rationale that the Holy Spirit enables our faith and so it is not by us, and to a degree it is true. However, it is more liberating than Calvinism suggests. We were simply saved by Jesus' faith. Notice the previous sentence is saved by Jesus' faith period.

Paul points out several times in several ways that Jesus' obedience to the Father was what made him a worthy Savior. He even writes about the obedience of faith. My wife was once told by the Spirit, and (I believe her to be a prophet)... that, and I am quoting what she heard in the Spirit... "faith IS obedience." This came after being given supernaturally the verse found in Isa 7:9 AMP,  "And the head (capital) of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son [King Pekah]. If you will not believe [and trust in God and His message], be assured that you will not be established."'" This was an answer to a fleece. After this the Spirit spoke the words "faith is obedience."

However, only the faith of Jesus was the faith that led to eternal salvation for all. As stated in the first post of this series, it was Jesus perfect faith that made him perfectly obedient in the eyes of the Father, and qualified him to be the "Last Adam." The New Testament teaches that Jesus was the ultimate representative of humanity. Paul points out that there was the first representative of humanity, Adam, which means man, and Jesus, the Last Adam, whos name means salvation.

The further, and I believe ultimate proof of this, is found in the following two passages of scripture. The first is Heb 11:6 AMP  "But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him." and the second passage is Joh 8:29 AMP  "And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him." First we know that without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE God, and secondly we know that Jesus ALWAYS DOES WHAT PLEASES HIM. This alone is proof positive of the source of Jesus perfect obedience. It was indeed his perfect faith, and not his perfect obedience to the letter of the Law.

Our faith in Christ is the vehicle that apprehends the faith of Christ. We become certain that we are saved by Christ's perfect faith by believing the gospel message. And, what is the gospel you ask? It is that God was in Christ, yes Christ Jesus is the incarnation of God, and in this incarnate state God reconciled the WORLD to himself not counting trespasses, sins. And further, he made the one who knew no sin, that is who always believed God, to be made sin for us that we in turn might become the righteousness of God in him. Period.

This is a very liberating message and it is the true, pure, pristine gospel of Christ. It is the one that turned the world upside down in the first century. Make of it what you will, as for me and my house we will believe the gospel!

Link to the first of the series, 

What my love for my Pet Yorkie Zeke teaches me about the Father's love

1Jn 3:1a  "See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children"

Jesus introduced the fact that we are God's children and He is our Father. In fact, Jesus called Him Abba Father, which is similar to our affectionate term "papa." My wife calls me papa when ever she is referring to my relationship to Zeke and quite frankly, I consider myself his papa. I spoil him and love him and in my eyes he really can do no wrong.... even when he does wrong :)

I make this point because when we think of God as our father, I think we make the analogy of a loving human father, and that is fine to do, but God is so far above us that the comparison breaks down in reality. This is why I think that my love for Zeke, and my relationship with him is so instructive in understanding the Father's love for me and for you.

Zeke can be very selfish and yet, still I love him. I am getting to the age where I take naps frequently, and Zeke usually takes them with me. If he is laying on the bed, in front of my pillow, often times he will not move, and if he does it is with pained reluctance, and yet still I love him.

He will make messes sometimes and I just clean them up and still I love him. Why, because the things he is doing are just natural to him being a dog.  Occasionally he will tear up paper some where and I simply clean it up and continue to love him with all of my heart. Why, because he is just doing what he was created to do and I love him because I have chosen to love him and he has a special place in my heart.

I often hear the Spirit reminding me of the Father's love for me as I think about my love for Zeke in the various circumstances that come up. Right now he is curled up at my feet laying content because he knows that I love him, I feed and water him, I protect him from danger, I take him to the vet to keep him well. I have no way of knowing exactly what his cognitive capabilities are, a lot of the time he seems to be able to understand more that one would think he can, but none the less, because I am a human with speech, and the ability to drive and work, and because I am in a position to take care of him it seems that I am advanced in capability beyond him, not to the degree of course, but not unlike the Father's superiority over me.

I have no ill will against him at all. I have no desire to punish him. I merely want him to be safe and secure and to trust and love me. That, I believe is exactly the way the Father feels about you and me. I am writing this because I want to be able to express the way that I believe the Father truly loves us and rebuff the idea that he is out to punish at every instance. That He demands perfect obedience and adherence to the Law.

So, there is a lot to learn from my love for Zeke, and I hope you have benefited from my insight.

Justified by the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ.

Gal 2:16 KJV  "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."

Here is one of the most important passages of scripture in the New Testament, the Apostolic Greek Scriptures of the first century. This is one passage where I am a King James Only kind of guy. The reason is that only the King James and the Young's Literal Translation get this verse right as it was written. One thing is certain. Paul did not mean that we are justified by faith in Christ, but rather that we are justified by the faith of Christ or Christ's faith. This is clear in the Greek passages. Of course, there is the fact that it is in the genitive case. But, there is evidence in Paul's grammar that he is speaking of justification coming through the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ. It comes in this explanation; "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" Our faith in Christ does not justify us because we were already justified by the faith of Christ.

Paul says this in Rom 5:18-19 CSB  "So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone.  (19)  For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous." The one righteous act was Jesus' perfect faith in the Father. We read in one place that "without faith it is impossible to please him," and then in another place we read that God said, "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. It was Christ's faith in the Father that justified all men, just the same way as Adam's unbelief  made all humanity sinners.

So you ask, what about our faith in Christ? That is a great question. The answer is our faith apprehends the beneficial effect of Christ's faith. Our faith, assures us that the gospel message is correct, and that God was in fact in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting trespasses. Our faith grabs on to the benefit of Christ's faith to give us peace with God based upon being justified by the faith of Christ. Look at Rom 5:1  "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Peace with God through Jesus... hmnn… of course that is peace with God through the perfect faith of Jesus.

It is not the works of the law that justifies. In fact, we cannot be justified by our adherence or obedience to the law. We HAVE been justified by the faith OF Christ, and our faith apprehends the fact plain and simple.

If you look for further proof of this again I'll quote the KJV. Gal 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. We live and have eternal life because of the faith OF Christ. Paul goes on in the next verse of Galatians 2 to explain that if righteousness comes from the Law then Christ died for nothing.

This is the gospel. Make of it what you will.
As for me and my house, we will rejoice in the grace of God!!!

Link to part two of this post.

Evangelical Presuppositions: Why they are just flat out wrong!

I often hear or read where someone has said or written that the bible speaks plainly on this or that subject, and furthermore they are confident that the bible truly says such and such. You can hear preachers say it is tight but it is right. By this they mean that the message may not indeed be popular, but it is the clear message never-the-less. All of these assertions are made upon certain presuppositions that exist in the thought processes and reasoning but are not frequently stated.

Presupposition number 1: The bible is written specifically to the audience reading it no matter what time or occasion. Most go so far as to believe and teach that it was written specifically to the generation they are a part of.

Wrong: the bible is primarily written to a specific generation and specific occasion. What people think as universal truths are not nearly so universal as they think. The most important message focus of the scripture is the one that the intended readers, hearers would have arrived at given their historical context, understanding, and the occasion written too.

Presupposition number 2: The entire bible is the Word of God for all times.

Wrong: This is patently false. The old testament defines the word of God as the Torah. The New Testament defines the word of God as the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Himself the gospel made flesh.

Presupposition number 3: The bible is a legal constitutional document provided by God for humanity.

Wrong: While the Torah was indeed a legal institutional document for Old Covenant Israel, the New Testament teaches that the purpose and focus of scripture is redemptive in nature. It speaks of Jesus the Messiah and his mission of reconciliation. The legal constitutional use of scripture was a teacher meant to drive one to Christ for reconciliation with God.

The three presuppositions mentioned above are responsible for the gross misunderstanding of the Christian message. It is the reason that the pure gospel of grace is not taught without mixture. It is indeed the prophesied leaven of the Pharisees and is the source of the strong delusion prophesied by Paul.

The fact is that for the New Covenant era, the bible is the redemptive narrative. It is a love story that tells of how God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. It is a story that shows that there are no lengths that God is unwilling to go in reestablishing a pre-fall relationship with humanity. This alone is the focus of the gospel and the gospel alone is the focus of scripture.

The first century gospel was transformative; The transformation operation explained

The first century gospel was radical. It was transformative. And I fear that it is not properly understood in this time. Today there seems to be three main iterations of the church and its doctrinal message. By iteration, I mean its third definition which is version or incarnation. The three iterations, versions are as follows:

• The ultra important focus is on correct doctrine and theology.
• The ultra important focus is on the functioning of the Spirit supernaturally.
• The ultra important focus is on liturgy and historical religious practice.

All of the above focus areas ignore the radical nature of the first century gospel spread by the apostles in general, but subsequently, in large part by the Apostle Paul. After all it is Paul and Silas that were accused of turning the world upside down in Acts 17:6, and when those seeking to incarcerate them could not find them in Thessalonica, they arrested Jason and others. So what is the gospel that turned the world upside down? It was the good news that explained to human beings that they had been reconciled to God by the faith of Christ. It was the good news that they were eternal beings, and that they could look forward to resurrection and eternal life. It was the good news that they were totally justified by God based upon the faithful obedience of Christ Jesus who was willing to die to prove that the resurrection was real. It was the good news that they could in fact apprehend this justification by believing it to be true. This is truly a radical message. It expressed the fact that there was absolutely nothing that one could do to gain favor with God. Justification was not based on any sort of obedience except the obedience of faith. The obedient act was to apprehend, trust in, rely on, and cling too the fact that God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself and not counting sin against anyone. Further, that he made Jesus who did not know sin/unbelief to be made sin/unbelief for all which in turn made them the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.

When one understands the above to be absolutely true, one would then truly love God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength (Deu 6:5.) In fact, if one truly trusts in, relies on, and clings too the gospel message, it would be impossible not to love God. Subsequently, it is this real love for God that is the transformative impetus. Likewise it was the real love for God, birthed from the real gospel message, the message that is truly good news indeed, that would generate heart felt obedience to the law of God. In order for this transformation to really take place, one has to completely rest in this fact no matter what, and must never use their obedience to determine their standing before God. Those who would cry antinomian at this just simply do not understand the gospel and the operation of the gospel in the transformation process.

Justification is not a one time event that ushers one into the possibility of salvation. Justification is ongoing, and it is ongoing based on continuing faith. That is why the author of Hebrews speaks about the importance of perseverance of faith. It is not a matter that would have one no longer justified. It is a matter of practicality. If one feels they can lose the justification as the result of behavior, then the supernatural transformation that comes from believing the gospel ceases. Paul explains in Romans the source of this supernatural transformation. Rom 5:1 CSB "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The foundation of the transformation is peace with God. It is the good news. 

Peace with God sets the person free from fear, allows them to rest in grace which in turn produces the transforming love. So how should the Law be used? As Paul states it should be a tutor that drives one to Christ for justification and peace with God, but then, if the true gospel is taught and believed, then the Law could be used to promote loving accountability. This would happen only within a community where the real true gospel is believed and taught. In this environment the Law would never be used to judge. It would be used only to inform one of the true heart of God. 

In the three iterations listed above, they all promote using the law as a standard of righteousness. Further, the law is used to try to force people to transform themselves by a read and do process. That never works. Paul unequivocally states two things: 1) no one will be justified by the works of the law and 2) Christ is the termination of the law for righteousness. So why is the law such an important focus of all three of the iterations mentioned above? The only possible answer is that these versions do not understand the catalyst of the transformation process, and have altered the original first century gospel that turned the world upside down.