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Faith to Faith |
Dear Brethren,
What did Paul mean when he said that the righteousness of
God is revealed from faith to faith? "I am not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17) In the
past, perhaps you have heard the meaning of the phrase, "from faith to
faith," explained as, "from faith to increasing faith." It is true
that the second faith mentioned is much greater than the first, but there is
much more to the explanation.
Let's understand that it is not man alone who possesses faith. God,
too, possesses faith. The Scriptures speak of the faith of Jesus
Christ, and of the faith of God. "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." (Galatians 2:20) "For what if some did not
believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without
effect?" (Romans 3:3)
The King James translation, especially of Paul's
writings, is sometimes difficult. For a better clarity and understanding,
let's take another look at Romans 1:16-17, first in the language of King
James - then in a paraphrased translation.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel - I am proud of the Good News Christ
brought: for it is the power of God which brings salvation to all
who believe and have faith; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For, in the Good News Christ brought, the way to the
righteousness of God is revealed when man's faith corresponds with God's
faith: as it is written in Habakkuk 2:4 ...the just shall live by faith.
As converted Christians, our initial carnal, fleshly faith takes on a Godly component and becomes the
faith of God when the life which we now live in the flesh - we live by the
faith of the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20)
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| Sermon: |
"Faith to Faith" |
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