Tag: faith

Justified by Faith

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:16 (NIV)

In – It’s such a small little preposition, isn’t it? But it carries a huge impact on how we interpret this verse. By reading the NIV verse above, we’d assume that justification comes by believing in Jesus. This is the same for the NASB, the Russian Synodal, NRSV, and others. Unfortunately, it’s not what the Greek text actually writes. Continue reading “Justified by Faith”

The Science of Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

Substance – This is an interesting word – hypostasis. In the Greek, it’s related to science and medicine. It’s the sediment, or residue of something that has settled. It is the evidence that something has happened. Continue reading “The Science of Faith”

Weightier Matters

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matthew 23:23 (KJV)

Judgment – How can judgment be one of the weightier matters of the law when Yeshua specifically directed 16 chapters prior in Matthew 7 for us not to judge. But yet here He claims that judgment is one of the most important matters in all of the law. Obviously He is paraphrasing the many men of God that came before Him. Many of which were David (Psalm 101:1), Isaiah (56:1), Jeremiah (22:3), Hosea (12:6)… and the list continues. Continue reading “Weightier Matters”

Disobedience is Rewarded with Punishment

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36 (KJV)

Believeth not – Do you think it mattered if Noah actually believed God was going to open the depths of earth and the skies above to bring a flood? Do you think it mattered if Joshua believed God would mysteriously destroy Jericho after blowing trumpets and shouting at it? The answer is “no”. All that mattered was for them to perform what God instructed. Their job was to listen and obey. They were not asked to take counsel with God on whether or not this approach would work, or how exactly the waters might flood the earth – they were given a command and expected to follow through. Continue reading “Disobedience is Rewarded with Punishment”