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Rom. 1: 16 is the first recorded act of believing, and is intimately associated with the
Gospel and with salvation.
"The Gospel of Christ . . . . . the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth" (Rom. 1: 16).
This is the simple issue. The next reference is Rom. 3: 22, where the subject is the
righteousness of God:
"The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them
that believe" (Rom. 3: 22).
Here we have advanced a great step. Between Rom. 1: 16 and 3: 22 is a marvelous
unfolding of the depth of human need, and the fullness of Divine provision. To
appreciate this we must go back to the first chapter and look at the reference to "faith" in
verse 17. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth.
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1: 17).
Rom. 3: 22 tells us that this righteousness of God is "by faith of Jesus Christ", and
the conclusion come to is that,
"A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3: 28).
In some of the passages, law and its works are set aside, and in Rom. 3: 24, 25 we
have the fundamental reference to "faith in His blood". Without redemption and without
propitiation (atonement) justification by faith is impossible.
Coming to chapter 4:, we discover Who, or what it is that is believed:
"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4: 3).
God is the object of faith, and particularly God as the One that quickeneth the dead
(Rom. 4: 5, 17, 24). This faith is "counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4: 5, 9, 11, 13, 16).
We are therefore prepared for the summing up of Rom. 5: 1, 2:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ: by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5: 1, 2).
Rom. 5: leads us up to the double fruit of faith, Justification and Access. What more
can be provided or enjoyed? Nothing, for a righteous standing before God which results
in peace with God, access into grace that is all sufficient for salvation, preservation and
presentation, covers all our need, past, present and future. Yet, if we would
experimentally enter into this grace; if we would have no lurking distrust; if we are not,
at times, to be overwhelmed with the evil of the flesh; if we are not, sometimes, to
despair of sanctification, we must KNOW something. We must add to our faith
KNOWLEDGE.