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#7.
Faith.
pp. 47, 48
We found that the wonderful transfer from Adam to Christ, with the change of
condemnation and death for righteousness and life, was "through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus" (Lessons Nos. 5 and 6). One thing more must be added to make the lesson
complete. The gift of righteousness is said to be "unto all that BELIEVE". The offering
of Christ becomes a mercy-seat "through FAITH in His blood"; and God is called "the
Justifier of him that BELIEVETH in Jesus" (Rom. 3: 22-26). As a conclusion, the
apostle again makes a clear division between works (or the idea of trying to earn
salvation), and faith (or the idea of receiving a free gift in grace):--
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded (locked out). By what law? Of works? Nay,
but by the law of FAITH. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH
without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3: 27, 28).
We said just now that "believing" was like "receiving a free gift in grace". This is
the thought in John 1: 12:--
"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on His name."
All were by nature sons of Adam; faith gives the authority for this marvelous change.
That well-known verse (John 3: 16), shows the exchange again very clearly:--
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Believing makes the change from perishing to life. Perishing is Adam's legacy; life is
the gift of God.
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Again, the Lord Jesus said:--
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that
sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is PASSED
FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE" (John 5: 24).
Here again the transfer is connected with "believing", and this time also with
"hearing" the Word. Verse 25 says, "they that hear shall live".
Go through the Gospel of John, and make a collection of the texts that speak of
"believing". Then note the two ends again, viz., "perish", "everlasting life". Note also
what is behind "His name", viz., "Him that sent Me", etc.
Learn John 1: 1-13. Read together Rom. 1: 1-18.