faith of Christ | Grace Living Ministry

The faith OF Christ

and faith IN Christ

by Adrienne Jason

Galatians 2:16 in the KJB says,

16 "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, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

We are justified by the faith OF Jesus Christ when we believe IN Jesus Christ and in what He did for us through His death, burial and resurrection.

• The faith OF Jesus Christ is from Christ.

• Believe IN Jesus Christ is man's faith in or to "faith in Jesus Christ".

Romans 3:22 KJB

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Philippians 3:9 KJB

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The faith OF Jesus Christ is the righteousness of God. This righteousness of God is in Christ. It is the love of God for us through Christ's faithfulness to obey the will of His Father.

Phil 2:7-8 KJB

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Romans 5:8 KJB

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:19

19 "For as by one man's disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [the Lord Jesus Christ] shall many be made righteous."

The righteousness of God was based upon the finished crosswork of Christ, how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification (1 Cor 15:1-4).

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and also fully man. That being said, Jesus Christ had faith in God the Father’s plan for Him (God the Son) to go to the cross. Without this faith, Jesus Christ never would have gone to the cross, and no one would have the opportunity to have eternal life with God. Because Christ perfectly kept the law, had perfect righteousness, and the perfect faith to pay for our sin, God is able to give us His righteousness.

The finished crosswork of Christ is the gospel, the good news of Christ. Why is it good news? Because the efficiency and sufficiency of the sacrificial death of Christ at the cross was the only thing that satisfied the perfect justice of what God demanded. A just God can not just forgive us or declare us righteous without the shedding of blood.

Hebrews 9:22b "without the shedding of blood is no remission."

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

God is a just God and all people will stand before Him to take account. All are guilty of sin and we can not save ourselves. Even our so-called good works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 54:6). Thus, we desperately need a savior. God's will is for all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. The good news is that when we place our faith in His faithfulness to die for our sins, and that He was buried and that He rose again for our justification, then we are forgiven of all our trespasses, given eternal life in Christ Jesus, and we now have His very own righteousness imputed to us! We are also FREELY GIVEN all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus and a heavenly inheritance! And we didn't deserve nor earn any of it!

Galatians 3:22

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

This glorious gospel is the POWER of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

Romans 1:16 in the KJB says,

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

It is ONLY the righteousness of Christ that can satisfy the perfect demand of the law of God. If salvation depends on the perfection of our faith, we would all be doomed to eternity in the lake of fire!

For us to have a perfect standing before a Holy God, we place our faith in Jesus Christ and in His faithfulness (to die for our sins, be buried and he rose again for our justification).