for we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. [romans 3:28]
justified by faith
what does this exactly mean? and what is faith? how is faith measured and how can it be certain?
martin luther’s understanding of faith apart from works led to the doctrine known as ‘sola fide’ – faith alone. his study of romans led him to understand that the bible teaches we are saved by faith, not works. there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. it simply can’t be done – the wall is too high to climb and the chasm to wide to cross.
God did indeed give us the law, and for centuries jews attempted to follow it as closely as they could. but Jesus proved it could not be done: “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (matthew 5:22).
have you been angry once? ever? even a little angry? game over.
there is no way to earn that back and no way to cancel it out. only through faith in Jesus can it be washed fully away. the law shows what God requires, while also showing we can’t achieve what he requires. but praise God, Jesus did!
hebrews 11:1 states, “now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.
in I john 5:4 we read “and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith”.
in ephesians 2:8-9 paul writes, “for by grace you have been saved through faith. and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
faith is trusting un something we cannot see, cannot prove. it is believing fully in the promises of God when the whole world tells us they are a fairy tale. but it is not a false hope without knowledge. we know that God is good. we know that He alone can heal us, sustain us, provide for us and work the miraculous among us. faith is just admitting what we know and have seen – that He can and we can’t.
our faith in God is the evidence the world needs. not faith in government, not faith in ideas, not faith in systems, not faith in ourselves, but faith in the eternal, all-powerful God who alone can justify us to himself.
~ jason soroski