“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
The Church of Christ
(A Study in Ephesians)
Lesson 2. 'In' Christ:
Ephesians 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus , and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The simple definition of a saint is one who is, “set apart”. However, the character type of a saint extends far beyond the actual use of the word. ‘Saint', refers to the godly person who's spiritual and moral traits and behavior are what God's word offers for approval and emulation. As we contemplate the saintly character in the Bible we must always be aware of the opposite character type, “the sinner”.
In the opening of this epistle it is evident that Paul is writing to individuals who are not sinners, but those who have been set apart to God ‘in' Christ. As we begin to understand this letter concerning the church of Christ , it is vital that we understand that it is comprised of those who are sanctified ‘in' Christ.
In the next verse of our text the Apostle to the Gentiles offers a doxology to God. In this doxology is a thankful disposition for all God has done for us ‘in' Christ, note: Ephesians 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”
Before Paul elaborates on these blessings in a specific nature, he recognizes that he is writing to those who can appreciate the blessings in the active sense , as they are saints (set apart), being ‘in' Christ (to what, they have been set apart). So what we want to do before we move along to far is to recognize what the scriptures teach us concerning saints, and being ‘in' Christ.
I. Saints.
The scriptures go to great lengths to describe in detail what a saint is. Paul describes the term saints to the Corinthians this way, note:
1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus , called to be saints , with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord , both theirs and ours:”
When Ananias was told to go to Saul of Tarsus, so that he might receive his sight, note Ananias' response:
Acts 9:13 “Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem .”
Earlier, as the Lord appeared to Saul (the Apostle Paul), note what the Lord asked Saul: Acts 9:4-5 “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me ?" 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting . It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
Here we learn that as Paul persecuted Christians (saints), he persecuted the Lord Himself. Since they are of the same body, they are one and the same. Note these scriptures concerning this union:
Romans 6:3-5 “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,”
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
Galatians 3:26-28 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 2:11-13 “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,”
The Apostle Paul used this body of teaching, by way of reminder , to these Christians of what they had done to be set apart as saints. In addition to the formal union of the believer with the Lord, this designation also indicates one who has been set apart for works of righteousness. This new designation also carries with it a new purpose, note:
Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Thus we learn that saints are not set apart in words but in deeds. There is a never ending effort to undermine the wisdom of God in His desire to bring men to Him. Constantly, men attempt to dismiss the obvious commands of the Lord and His predetermined craftsmanship, in the methods by which He determined man should answer His call ( II Thessalonians 2:14 ) . Faith and works were never separated by those who called on His name during the spread of the Gospel as recorded in the New Testament of our Lord. Note the words of the Apostle Paul, as he wrote to Christians in Rome , concerning the purpose of His calling as an Apostle:
Romans 1:1-5 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name ,”
This powerful statement should put to rest any conflict with the understanding of the need for obedience in satisfying the call of God.
II. In Christ.
With the understanding of the relationship that saints have with the Lord, we can move on and describe without misunderstanding the internal relationship that those who are ‘in' Christ enjoy. However, before we move on to talk about spiritual blessings, let's make sure we understand in light of the lesson, the special relationship we have ‘in' Christ.
Since the church is made up of saints (those who are of the body of Christ), how important is the church then in God's scheme of redemption?
Paul would answer this further into the text of this letter. Paul would describe the relationship of Christ and His church by comparing it to the relationship of a man and his wife ( Chap. 5:32 ). Note the comparison: Ephesians 5:25-27
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her , 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word , 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church , not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing , but that she should be holy and without blemish .”
Saints, ‘in' Christ, and the church are synonymous terms in understanding the make up of those who are recipients of the benefits that the Savior of man has to offer.
Since there is only one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God ( Chap. 4:4-6 ) ; how important then is it to be ‘in' Christ and sanctified in marriage to Him by the washing of water by the word? Christ has chosen the nature of the bride He would present to Himself (He chose! Man cannot reconfigure this nature then try and forcefully betroth them to Christ). There is only one bride! We must do everything in our power to be of the nature of that bride in order to be sanctified in marriage to Christ.
Next: Spiritual Blessings!