From Faith to Faith

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From Faith to Faith

Romans 1:16-17
For  I am not ashamed  of the gospel,  for it is the power of God  for salvation  to every one  who believes,  to the Jew first  and also to the Greek.

For in it  the righteousness of God  is revealed  from faith to faith;  as it is written,  “But the righteous shall live by faith.”

In a world that seeks to condemn Christ,  there can be a tendency  to not admit one’s faith,  for fear of discrimination  and harassment.      But,  Paul did not shy away  from declaring his faith  in what God has done  to make us totally righteous  in His sight.      There were tons of people  who hated Paul  for his faith  and sought to imprison  and kill him.

Such harassment  did not stop Paul,  because way deep down  in his heart  he knew that the gospel of Christ  would truly give eternal life  to absolutely everyone  who accepted it by faith.      Because Paul was so appreciative  of what Christ had done for him,  his heart  wanted to share that love and salvation  with everyone possible.      So, Paul refused to be ashamed.

And,  why should Paul be ashamed?      Believing in Christ opened the power of God  to work in that person’s life,  so that they would receive the salvation  that would allow them  to enter heaven eternally.      We don’t need to be ashamed  of God’s love  and power  towards us.      Consider how almighty God is.      What are we  in comparison to our Creator and Redeemer?      Common sense tells us  we need to be ashamed  of our own selves  —  not the Almighty Lord of all.

Paul stated the reason  he refused to be ashamed.      He said,  “For in it  the righteousness of God is revealed  from faith to faith.”      The gospel of Christ  shows how “righteous“ God is.      First,  God gives us the good news  that we can be saved  simply by faith in Jesus.      We didn’t deserve such a gift of forgiveness,  but it is being offered to us any way.      Then,  when we put our hope and trust  in that promise of God,  our Lord  allows us to face some trials  and temptations  —  little by little.      As we realize how our Lord helped us  through those hard times,  our faith grows stronger and stronger.      In that way,  we are going from our new-found faith  to a stronger  and stronger faith  —  all because of God’s love and grace  towards us,  as He strengthens and leads us  in His truths.

For every time  God faithfully helps us  through all sorts of situations,  our faith not only gets stronger,  but we can see more and more  “the righteousness of God”,  as He works in our lives.      So,  God makes us righteous  by faith,  and at the same time  He is letting us see  the power of His righteousness  in saving us through faith  in His grace.

This “power of God for salvation”  is a wondrous thing.      As we see how God guides us “from faith to faith”,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      O Lord,  we haven’t done anything  to deserve Your gift of salvation  and Your guidance  in leading us  “from faith to faith”.      Thank You  for so great a love.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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