What Makes Faith So Important?

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What makes having faith so important? Do you think all Christians believe having faith is important?

I did a little research…

An article at Christian Post states that more than fifty percent of Christians in the United States believe good works that will get them to heaven. And in another article …

“Nearly seventy percent of born-again Christians disagree with the Biblical position that Jesus is the only way to God.”

Honestly, those percentages surprised me.

The Bible clearly defines God’s plan and the only way to be saved.

Paul wrote…

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. 

Ephesians 2:8–9 (CSB)

Good works are the things we do in response to all the Lord has done for us. They show our gratitude to God for His grace, mercy, and love.

But that was a hard truth for Jews who believed it was obedience to God’s Law that earned them God’s favor.

And Paul, having been raised a Pharisee, understood that struggle well, and addressed it directly…

What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.

Romans 9:30–32

The LAB Notes add…

We may think that attending church, doing church work, giving offerings, and being nice will be enough. After all, we’ve played by the rules, haven’t we?

The answer is, “No!” We can’t keep the Law perfectly. So, no matter how hard we try, we can never be good enough to earn God’s saving grace. Sin separates us from Him, and no amount of good we do can bridge the gap between us and a Holy God.

As Paul stressed earlier in his letter, that’s not an excuse to sin. It’s the reason we need Jesus. He bridged the gap and made faith in Him the gift that saves us.

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 & Romans 3:22a

Whether 2,000 years ago or today, those trying to earn salvation through obedience alone will stumble over the Rock of Ages.

Paul added…

God warned them of this in the Scriptures when He said,

“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,
    a rock that makes them fall.
But anyone who trusts in Him
    will never be disgraced.”

Romans 9:33

Jesus is a stumbling block for those who believe they can earn their way to heaven and who reject His love and refuse to trust Him. But for everyone who KNOWS, LOVES, and TRUSTS Him … He is the firm foundation, the ROCK upon which they will never be disgraced.

Jesus said…

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

Matthew 7:24

And He taught…

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

Why is faith so important? Because faith in Jesus is the only way to the saving grace of God the Father. Anything else is a stumbling block on the path of life. Jesus alone is the firm foundation … the solid Rock on whom we are forever secure.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer for Faith So Important in Jesus

Heavenly Father, Your love is amazing! We are all sinners. And because You are holy and righteous, we deserve to be eternally separated from Your presence. But because You are love, You sacrificed Jesus to save us.

Nothing we do can bridge the gap created by sin, but Jesus became that bridge. Your Word says He is the Way, Truth, and Life. He suffered what we deserve so that through faith in Him, we can have the life we don’t deserve.

Please forgive us for listening to the enemy’s lies. Forgive us for thinking we can earn our way across the gap that separates us from You. Please forgive me. Forgive my pride and selfishness. Forgive me for failing to deal with the beam in my eye while pointing out the speck in my neighbor’s. (Matthew 7)

Because You are gracious and loving, You made faith essential. Then by the power of Your Spirit, You gave me everything I need through faith. You filled my life with Your love.

Please help me trust and obey You with gratitude for all You have done and continue to do in my life. And when life feels uncertain, help me run to Jesus, the ROCK on whom my faith is built. And in whose name, I pray. Amen.

Dwight L. Moody preached…

“Real true faith is man’s weakness leaning on God’s strength.”

Faith is admitting that I can’t, but God can. So, let’s surrender ourselves to Him in faith, trust Him to do what only He can do, and invite Him to help us do what He desires.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

May you be blessed with growing faith that is secure through Christ Jesus. He alone is the BRIDGE across the gap made by sin and the ROCK who gives security and strength.

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