Righteous By Faith
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17
If you meet a man on the street whom you do not recognize, and he gives you a bag with N5,000,000 in cash and asks you to deposit it in the bank for him. He says that his account number is in the bag. You are surprised because you do not know him at all. You ask, “Why do you trust me with this?” Suppose he says, “No reason; I’m just taking a risk.”
What is the effect of that faith in you? Does it honour you?
No, it does not. It shows the man is a fool.
But suppose he said, “I know that you don’t know me, but I work in the same building you do, and I have watched you for the last year. I have seen your integrity in a dozen ways. I have spoken to people who know you. The reason I am trusting you with this money is that I have good reason to believe you are honest and reliable.”
Now, what is the effect of that faith?
It truly honours you. Why? Because it is based on real evidence that you are honourable.
The fruit of such faith is not folly. The fruit of such faith is wisdom, and that faith and wisdom honour the person who is trusted.
So it is with God. If God says, ‘Why did you trust my word?’ and we say, ‘No reason, I’m just taking a risk,’ God is not honoured and we are fools.” But we have the word of God full of testimonies of God’s integrity as well as evidence of his mercies and grace all around us.
Living a righteous life is living a life by faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God is not acquired by acts frequently repeated, but is imparted by faith. And Faith comes by hearing, – hearing the word of God.
“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.” Proverbs 21:21