“A Man Is Justified By Faith”

(Romans 3:28)

Most preachers, church members, and Bible teachers agree with this statement, “A man is justified by faith.” But when we define, from the Scriptures, what Paul is actually saying here, we have great disagreement.

1.) WHO JUSTFIES? “It is God that justifieth.” Salvation is of the Lord from origination to consummation.

2.) WHOM DOES HE JUSTIFY? “The ungodly.” There are not a lot of folks standing in line to take this title unto themselves.

3.) HOW DOES HE JUSTIFY? “By grace through faith in Christ.” His blood and righteousness is our peace and holiness. By His doing and dying He – alone – enables God to be just and justifier!

4.) WHERE DOES SAVING FAITH COME FROM? “It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Yes! I do believe a man is justified by faith!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1992)

A LITTLE LEAVEN

“A little leaven leaventh the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9).

One small bit of yeast will eventually work its way through the whole batch of dough. In the Scriptures, leaven has a metaphorical meaning. It means to taint, to corrupt, to infect, to imbue. Leaven is any influence working silently and strangely that causes change in things or opinions. Leaven causes bread to swell. Spiritual leaven causes heads to swell. When Paul made this statement, he was referring to salvation by works. If you allow any aspect of salvation to be dependent upon the worth, works, or will of man, you make it all by works.

The introduction of leaven begins so small. A little compromise, a little toleration of what is contrary to the Word of God; a little indiscretion that nobody would notice. But what a change that leaven will eventually make. I am afraid of leaven, and well I should be! Men go bad, churches go bad, nations go bad through a little leaven. The Lord said to His disciples, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” May God deliver us as individuals and this church from leaven!

Pastor Todd Nibert

Repentance and Faith

A Lady said to me some years ago, “I ask God for forgiveness, but never find peace or rest.” I replied, the scripture says, “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

Repentance without faith in Christ is no repentance at all. True repentance is born of faith, and faith is the gift of God. Apart from faith in Christ we have no grounds for God to forgive us. God only forgives sinners through the blood and righteousness of Christ. “Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” always go together. Pastor John Chapman

Who Are You Following?

“He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38). “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

A good and valid question for all men to consider; who are you following? Those who follow the teaching of Mohammad are following the writings in the Koran. Those who follow the teaching of the Jewish Rabbis are following the writings in the Talmud. Those who follow the teaching of Joseph Smith follow the writings in the Book of Mormon. All of these books written by mere sinful men say that salvation is dependent upon and determined by the sinner’s good works. Their false teaching is always a conditional salvation based upon the creature. There is no good news there but eternal death and condemnation (John 3:36).

But every believer is an earnest disciple and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Matt. 11:28-30). The whole volume of scripture was given to tell us who He is and what He accomplished (Acts 10:43; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). The Bible tells out a salvation that is totally based upon the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6; Heb. 9:11-12) and how He accomplished salvation for His people by His purpose and grace given to them before the foundation of the world (2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5; Rev. 13:8).

All believers have been given the privilege of following the Good and Great Shepherd who gave His life to secure their everlasting salvation (Psalm 23:1-4; John 10:15-18). “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Again, I ask you who are you following? I hope you can say in your heart the Lord Jesus Christ who is all my salvation (1 Cor. 1:30).