RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH "Faith in Jesus Christ" earnestly seeks to appropriate what He has been appointed to give. It longs to be with Him, know Him, and fellowship with Him. God has not called us into the fellowship of a denomination, or train of thought. Rather, He has "called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). -- Tomorrow:
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)
CALLED INTO CHRIST'S FELLOWSHIP
Let it be clear, no salvational benefits will be realized apart from companionship with Jesus! Those who are aloof from Jesus are, by that very circumstance, excluded from His blessings. Satan has deluded people into thinking they can push Jesus Christ into the background of their lives and still be approved of God. Men have even succumbed to demonic doctrines that justify such a conclusion. But these are all imaginations to be cast down with our mighty spiritual weaponry (2 Cor 10:5-6). Faith in Christ cannot be part-time, occasional, or seasonal. If it is not the dominating principle of life, it will soon be dashed upon the rocks of carnality.
TO ALL AND ON ALL
"The righteousness of God . . . unto all and upon all them." Other versions read "for all who believe" (RSV), "for all those who believe" (NASB), and "to all who believe" (NIV). I prefer the KJV, NKJV, Webster, Douay-Rheims, Revised Webster, and Young's Literal translations: "to all and upon (on) all. Such notable commentators as Barnes, Calvin, Gill, Haldane, Hodge, Jamieson Fausset and Brown, John Wesley, and others also receive these words. Of itself, this does not authenticate the text. I only share it to confirm this is not a strange view, and those who accept it are not theological renegades.
The strongest argument for the words "to and on," or "to and upon" are not the manuscripts from which they were translated. Nor, indeed, do we bow at the shrine of the scribes and textual experts as though their research was infallible. These words are in perfect harmony with the remainder of Scripture, and in no wise do violence to the truth. There is no need for them to be discarded. Neither faith nor scholarship demands their removal. Thus I choose to retain and believe them.
"To all" This phrase emphasizes the imputation, or conferment, of righteousness upon the believer. This id developed at length in the fourth chapter of Romans. It accents that righteousness is a gift, and not an achievement.
"On all" This expression coincides with the prophecy of Isaiah. "For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isa 61:10). The 132nd Psalm reads, "Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy." The idea is that, while in this world, we are covered, or clothed, with this righteousness.
WHO BELIEVE
The nominal church does not place much emphasis upon faith, or believing God. Generally, the issue is "what" men believe. Significant divisions exist among professed believers over the particular points of doctrine that are embraced. I do not deny that some of this can be justified. But this is NOT the focus of our text, nor of the Scriptures themselves.
Here believing is not mental assent, or even an activity of the mind. Believing is accomplished in the essential nature of man – his heart. Thus it is written, "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness" (Rom 10:10). More of the Divine image is in the heart than is in the mind. The heart can more powerfully motivate the individual than the mind.
When the Ethiopian eunuch interrupted Philip by asking, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?," the answer was clear and in strict harmony with our text. "If you believe with all your heart, you may." It would be interesting to hear that question answered by denominational devotees. The answer, of course, will confirm to us the substance of Philip's preaching. The eunuch answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37). That is the believing of reference in our text.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the convincing and assuring quality of faith.