I have been a Christian for 16 years, went to many churches, heard thousands of sermons and end up confused as to whether it’s really by grace or by works of faith in Christ. For the past 2 weeks, I was convinced it was the latter after studying the scriptures presented by the Quakers. I thank God for leading me to your website…the burden of heaviness has just been lifted and I believe the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in due time as I trust in the faith of Jesus Christ for my salvation. Let the world rejoice!!!

John

http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?sourceonly=true&currSection=sermonssource&keyword=freegraceradio&subsetcat=series&subsetitem=Righteousness

Regarding that subject, I preached on that verse a while back and you may wish to listen to the message at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7510431180

Also, the article on this site regarding Romans 5 and substitution cover that subject also. See http://thegospelofgod.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/substitution-reconciled-to-god-by-the-death-of-his-son-romans-510/

We first have to die to ourselves and than live in the faith of jesus himself which he gives us:

galatians 2:20 the greek says this:
´ and the life i know live in the flesh i live IN (!) the faith of jesus.´….

&

´Where than is boasting: it is excluded on the basis of the law of faith….´

&

´And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace´ acts 18:27

other good article about faith of-in Jesus:
http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/bible/faithof.html

23 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. ”

Notice too, how Habakuk 2:3-4 from the Septuagint is quoted in Hebrews 10:37-38:

37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

This expression, ‘my soul shall have no pleasure in him’ is unique to the N.T. and is conversely quoted in Matthew’s gospel when speaking of how God’s Son is pleasing to his heavenly Father:

Matthew 12:18: “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.”

So we must assume that our Lord Jesus Christ was pleasing to his Heavenly Father because of his complete trust, or faith in his Heavenly Father.

So let us agree with the apostle Paul who says that we have the same spirit of faith as the one who said in Ps.116 “I believe and therefore speak”, which from other scriptures most likely is a Messianic verse.

2 Cor. 4:13-1413:”We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.”

For as Peter said on the day of Pentecost in speaking of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. “God loosed him from the pangs of death, for it was not possible for him to be held by it” And, ‘thou will not leave my soul in sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption”

So let us abide in our Lord Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith:

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And also remember that the great faith scripture quoted from Hab. 2:4 is preceeded by verse 3: “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. ”

This scripture is not only speaking of his first coming, but also is speaking of his second coming at the time of ant-christ. It would seem that Hab.2:5 onward is speaking of the anti-christ. So, we are wise to consider what Jesus Christ said in the gospels, “Nevertheless, will the Son of Man find faith when he comes ?”

Faith OF Jesus

Hope OF the Holy Spirit

Love OF the Father

Showing that the Faith, Hope and Love that the Scriptures refer to that we MUST have are not from US but are in fact ONLY found in the GODHEAD.

And so we must indeed be infilled with all 3 of the Persons of God that we may then operate; Live by Live Through that EXACT SAME Faith Hope and Love….

While I was happy (well a bit nervous) to “Go it alone”, this article has helped a lot…

Thank you for Your Faithfulness!