A Gospel to Share

KEY VERSE: “The righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” —Romans 1:17

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:1-17

THE reference here is to an active, demonstrated faith which God is pleased to count as righteousness. There are doubtless millions who have the ability to exercise faith in God, and these do believe that he exists. But only when God reveals himself through his Word, and invites cooperation in his plan of salvation, is the opportunity given to demonstrate faith by obedience.

In the world before the Flood, there were only a few whom God thus highly honored. Those mentioned in the Bible are Abel, Enoch, Noah, and his family. Following the Deluge, in the Patriarchal Age, there were Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—and their wives—Melchisedec, and probably Job. These were the called, or chosen, of that age.

Beginning with the death of Jacob, God chose his twelve sons and their families as a nation. To these he sent his prophets, and through the prophets gave them an opportunity to know his plan as it was then due to be understood, and to cooperate therein. Only a few responded in obedience, and this was because they believed God.

The faith of these was so strong that it reached beyond their immediate surroundings and experiences. Some, of course, received marvelous evidences of God’s favor. In Hebrews 11:32-35, Paul speaks of these, saying that they “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, were made valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens, women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance.”

Strong faith was essential to these victorious experiences, and it enabled them to see the overruling providences of God in connection with them. It is this sort of faith that God counts for righteousness.

In verses thirty-six to thirty-eight Paul writes: “Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”

To pass through experiences such as these required a faith that could trust God even though there was no visible evidence of his care and protection. It was faith in the promises of God pertaining to the future that sustained them. The quality of faith is unchanged from age to age in the plan of God. It was true in the past and is true now that “without faith it is impossible to please God.”

In our subject scripture, Paul said: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; … for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.” The Gospel of Christ is received by faith, but not instantaneously. It is revealed gradually as faith is able to receive and act upon it.

The apostles are good illustrations of this “faith to faith” revealment and receiving of the Gospel. Even before they heard of Jesus they knew something of the messianic promises and had faith in them. When they came into contact with Jesus and his wonderful ministry they believed that he was the Messiah, and left all to follow him. Thus upon the basis of their faith God was dealing with them.

In his prayer, Jesus said to his Father concerning his apostles, “Thine they were, and thou gayest them me; and they have kept thy Word.” (John 17:6) These men were completely dedicated to God. They had faith in his Word, and were obedient to it. Because of this God looked upon them as his people. “Thine they were,” said Jesus. Like Abraham, they were God’s friends.

Abraham received the reward of friendship because he believed all the truth of the divine plan which was then revealed and due to be understood. We receive the reward of sonship through our belief in the more complete revealment of the Gospel that has come to us.

How rich indeed is the reward of sonship!

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