By Faith

"The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).

The "just" to whom the Apostle Paul refers are literally the "justified." "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). No human being is capable of making himself just before the God whose "way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31). If born as an offspring of sinful Adam's race, and if ever we have sinned, all hope for justifying ourselves must be abandoned in the awareness that, by definition, a perfect Lord requires perfect righteousness. This He provides as a free gift to all who trust in the Christ whereby we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

Those justified by faith also live by faith. That is, we live by the confession and belief that Jesus is the Christ, and by the subsequent acknowledgement that all we are and all we have belongs to the Lord who is also our life. Authentic Biblical faith involves the confidence of the trust that rests in Christ, and the presentation of ourselves to Him "as those which are alive from the dead" (Romans 6:13). We live "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," and also affirming that "ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price" (Hebrews 12:2; I Corinthians 6:19-20).

This dual expression of rest and submission establishes the life by faith that leads to consistent bearing of the fruit of the Spirit. Indeed, born again believers do not live by prayer, but by the faith that leads to prayer. We do not live by obedience, but by the faith that leads to obedience. We do not live by self sacrifice, but by the faith that leads to self sacrifice. And we do not live by dedication and discipline, but by the faith that leads to dedication and discipline. We live by the God-given light that reveals the person and work of Christ, and by the trusting response of confidence and submission as enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:13).

The reception of a free gift by faith births a new person who lives by faith. This "new man" is "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). He rejoices in being freely justified and in belonging to Another. Thereby he lives, or rather Christ lives in him that he may live by Christ (Galatians 2:20). Yes, the justified live by the faith that affirms the peace of both confidence in God and consecration to God.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ."

(Galatians 2:16)

"The Lily of the Valleys"

Frances is very allergic to lilies. The flower section of a favorite store we frequent has a floral section as you walk in the door. Occasionally they'll have lilies, and when they do, Frances literally has to hold her breath as we enter the store (sometimes to no avail).

This happened several days ago. The fragrance of lilies was strong, and we hurried through the flower section to safer rows and aisles. As we did, the thought occurred to me that the first lily Frances will ever encounter without an unpleasant allergic response will be "the Lily of the valleys" Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ (Song of Solomon 2:1).

It's a beautiful thought to ponder, and one that applies to all of us. The world in which we live is poisonous to every human being, to the degree that it ultimately kills every last one of us. "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death" (Ecclesiastes 8:8). Only deliverance from this world and unto the Prince of life can lead us into an existence of perfect well being and the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical vitality for which we so deeply yearn.

We were made to be the home of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, the vase, as it were, for the Lily of the valleys. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). Our hearts are allergic, as it were, to any other resident. Life in a fallen world continually bears witness to this, the great truth of our temporal and eternal existence. One day Frances will be embraced by the Lily without harm, and even more, with perfect fulfillment of every aspect of her being. As will all who have trusted in the Lord Jesus, discovering in both the here and now and the Then and There that "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).

"This life is in His Son."

(I John 5:11)

"Touched With the Feeling"

    Because God is all knowing, all powerful, and infinite, we may think that things don't emotionally affect Him in the way they affect us.

    This is true.  They affect Him more.  By, definition, a being of infinite personhood possesses infinite emotional capacity.  Thus, our Lord feels joy, sorrow, peace, dissatisfaction, affection, anger, exhilaration and heartbrokenness in a measure we cannot fathom.  The Bible declares or implies an emotionally involved, feeling God to us on every page of its sacred text, plainly stating in the book of Hebrews, "We have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15).

    The Lord Jesus Christ was a "man of sorrows" during His earthly life (Isaiah 53:3).  He is "anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows" in His resurrected, exalted state (Hebrews 1:9).  God feels as both God and as man since the incarnation of our Savior, experiencing a panorama of emotion unknown to any other.  He feels as He feels, and He feels as we feel.  Our Lord is in fact the most emotional person who exists, a truth that will change our hearts and lives as we embrace it.  Replacing the perception of God as dispassionate to the truth of His infinitely impassioned nature will lead us think of Him differently, and to relate to Him in a manner far more in line with Biblical teaching.

    Thankfully, unlike ourselves, God's emotions never cause Him to act or relate in a manner contrary to His character, nature and way.  His feelings are in perfect temper and synch with who and what He is.  Thus, He will not be swayed by emotion to act toward us in sentimentality rather than sacred devotion to His holy nature and purposes.  He does act toward us with great feeling, however, and with affectionate commitment to our best interests.  This combination of caring and character in God leads to a relationship unlike any other in our lives, resulting in our own growth in both heartfelt and solemnly committed devotion to Him.

"Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you."

(I Peter 5:7)