“The Object of Faith”

The New International Version Chapter 5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

“The Object of Faith”

Text: Romans 5:1-2

Introduction: Almost all of us, if we’ve been around the Church, we know faith is really important, believing is important. One of the most important question that needs an answer is, Who is the object of Faith? Better yet as a Christian, as the Church community, who is the object of our Faith? A closer look at our interactions reveals, we have problems identifying who our Faith should be in. So, how do we get back to the biblical mandate that tell us who our Faith should be in? Paul in Romans Chapter 1-4 establishes the fact that men are saved by faith. We come to chapter 5 where Paul keys in on the object of that Faith. Paul shifts his argument in Chapter 5 and focuses on Who it is that is the object of our faith. The word object is defined as, a tangible and visible entity that can cast a shadow. So in short, should our faith be tangible and visible evidence that cast a shadow of who we believe to be the object of that faith? If so, tell us why it is important to understand why Christ is the object of our Faith.

Belief in Christ is Essential

Lets begin this discourse at verse 16 of Chapter one. Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” the object of Faith to a sinner is Jesus Christ. Looking for anyone or something else is not the solution to human depravity. Sin is the corruptive force that causes man to need a savior. Christ is the Savior. He is the One that God has ordained that you and I should have faith. Don’t get it twisted my friends, you cannot believe in God the Father unless you have first believed in Christ Jesus His son. I cannot fully explained to you why God the Father mandates that this is the way Faith is to be acquired but there is no other way and you and I must accept the provision that Good the Father has give us to establish the connection to a relationship with Him. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ His Son. Faith also has a variety of meanings. It always means “believing God and acting upon that belief.” But the emphasis can be upon our conduct (being faithful), believing (taking God at his word). Since faith is linked to the words “this grace” and since this is the grace of justification, the faith referred to here must be the faith in Jesus Christ through which you and I are justified.

We have Peace with God

Peace has been made by God through our Lord Jesus Christ, which fact is demonstrated by God’s justification. Making peace is not our responsibility when it comes to faith in Christ. Because of our faith in Christ, God our Father puts us in a position to enjoy His peace no matter what circumstances come our way. That’s difficult for us to understand because our faith is not solely dependent on the salvation He has provided through His Son Jesus Christ. If you and I are to experience the peace of God over life’s struggles our hope must be in Christ because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. It is because of Christ that you and I can experience God’s peace. The closer we draw to God the more of His peace we can experience. James tells us to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Once again, don’t get it twisted! We cannot cleanse ourselves of sin, only through Christ can we be cleanse from sin. You and I must accept Christ to enjoy the Peace of God. Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” We experience a different kind of peace when are connected with our Savior. We won’t let the troubles of this present day get us to the point where we lose hope and confidence in God’s power, authority and ability to keep us no matter what is going on around us.

We stand in the sphere of God’s Grace

Christ is the person who solidifies our position in the sphere of God’s grace. The sphere of God's grace is the idea that God's love and forgiveness are freely offered to people who deserve condemnation for their sins. Grace is God’s favor to me even though I don’t deserve to be in His presence. My faith in Jesus Christ positions me to receive God’s grace even when I don’t deserve it. “While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.” He took my sins and nailed them to His cross. He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruise for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. I am so glad that God’s sphere of grace is wide enough to encompass me. I am still stumbling and fumbling but His grace is sufficient for me. All I need is to do is to let Jesus lead me. He is seated on the right hand side of the throne of God making intercession for you and me. Before He ascended He left the Comforter to guide me into all truths. So I really have access to all I need to experience God’s goodness, His presence and protection. By the mercy of God we have been brought into the grace of justification, and that is the grace in which we now have the privilege to stand. Before we were standing outside the sphere of God's blessing, as children of wrath. Now we are standing within that sphere as sons and daughters of God. The point is, we have been made secure in Christ. We have entered into grace and now stand in grace with an entirely different status than we had before.

Closure: Isn’t amazing how the Lord provides. It is through our Faith in Jesus Christ that we have access to the throne of God. We have a home that has been prepared for us and our fate has been sealed until the day of redemption. That is why I concur with the hymnologist, “My faith look up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine. Now hear me while I pray, take all my sins away, oh let me from this day be wholly thine.”