James said, Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations [putting to proof]; knowing that the proof of your faith worketh patience [constancy]. James 1:2-3. (Older KJV) The more a man's trust in God is tried (put to proof) the more constant he will be in that trust (faith.) Abraham's faith was tested with the most difficult test of all. He loved the precious son that God had blessed him with, but God had to test Abraham to see if his only son meant more to him than did his God. That part of the story is also well known. But just imagine the kind of trust in God that he had; to be able to actually take his son up the mountain, in preparation to sacrifice him. His faith was so strong that he knew God was able to raise his son from the dead, even if he had gone through with slaying Isaac. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought [worked together] with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. James 2:21-24 (Older KJV)

There are some that believe James is speaking of any kind of "good works" that must be performed in order for faith to be valid. Paul said in Galatians 5:5-6, For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith working [efficient] through love. If we say we trust in Christ for our salvation but show no love to those in need, our "faith" is dead. James said, If a brother or sister be naked, and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. James 2:15-17. (Older KJV) Faith is only "faith" when love is effectively practiced in obedience to Jesus' commandment, "Love."

Jesus' one commandment, "Love," is not a mere suggestion. According the Greek language, "commandment" is "authoritative prescription." This "prescription" requires the power of the Holy Spirit because the flesh is weak, making it impossible to love as Jesus taught. But if a believer sincerely walks by the Spirit, because of having a close intimate relationship with Jesus, love WILL manifest in his life. The "afterglow" of that intimacy with the Bridegroom will cause love to flow out to others. There will be no thought of turning away one who is in need. The lover of the Bridegroom will be fully aware of the still small voice prompting him to "go here," or "go there," or to "give" when the fatherless, widowed, and strangers are brought across his path. Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27. (Orig. KJV)

Jesus said, But when the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. The sheep are the righteous, and the "King" [Jesus] said to them, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. When they asked the "King" how they had done all these things for Him, He said, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even the least, ye have done it unto me. Then the King (in the parable) turned to the goats on the left hand, and said, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. And the unrighteous "goats" asked Him how they had not done for Him the things that He said. He answered, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not to me. Jesus then spoke these words: And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:31-36,40-43,45-46. (Older KJV)

Flesh "Faith"

True righteousness comes through faith, which is complete reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation, and the "works" of loving and caring for those that appear to be "the least." But one of the greatest distortions of all can be found in the present day concept of "Faith."

Jesus gave His life so that man could rely on Him for salvation [faith,] and so that man could entrust his spiritual well being to Christ [believe.] Faith is simple, but to grow in faith requires death to the self-life (flesh) so that man can enter in to the "rest" that is in Jesus.

Because of the defection from truth, creatures of flesh see "faith" as something they use to go out and "get" what they want. They talk of "exercising faith," and "receiving by faith." Creatures of flesh have desecrated true faith by turning it into something that is the complete opposite of what God intended. Rather than faith being defined as a "relationship of rest in the finished work of the Cross," it is now seen as a "force" which man can pick up at will and go out and "DO". Some have gone so far as to use the phrase "God kind of faith" in reference to their own distorted definition. Faith is God's precious gift to man, available solely through the death of His only Son.

Regarding the legalistic teaching of some, Paul's words to Timothy in this next passage were very forceful. But they are mild compared to the words that will be heard by those that think nothing of changing the truth of God into lies. But the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing [misleading] spirits, and doctrines of devils; through the hypocrisy [deceit] of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron [rendered insensitive]… I Timothy 4:1-2. (Older KJV) The lies about faith are branded in their consciences, and they honestly believe that they walk in the truth. They have been rendered insensitive, and are blind to the truth. What "lord" do they speak of when they say, "Thus saith the Lord?" How can Jesus be "Lord" of something so diabolically destructive to the Truth for which He died? There seemingly are millions of souls that follow these destructive teachings. They have been deceived, and are unaware of the insidious deception that has come packaged in "spiritual" talk, "bible" teaching, "powerful prayers," testimonies of "faith," and that manipulative lie, "the Lord told me."

The bible clearly shows what is the end for those that depart from the Truth, and trample on His precious Son with their lies. Their having been deceived does not render them innocent. We all must trust the Spirit to lead us into the Truth, and failure to do so places the blame on us. And there shall in no wise enter into it [Holy City] any thing unclean, or he that maketh abomination [idolatry,] and a lie: only they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27. (Older KJV) It is idolatrous to set up false doctrines: especially about faith. Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. II Timothy 2:19 (Older KJV)

After Paul had spoken of "espousing" the Corinthians to "one Husband," he went on to say that there were some that would preach a "gospel" other than the true Gospel, but that he (Paul) would continue in the truth of Christ. Referring to those that did not know the truth, he said, For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11:13-15 (Older KJV)

Paul was speaking of Israel's ignorance and unbelief, in Romans 9:31-33,10:2-4 when he said But Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: and he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame…For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.By clinging to the Law they rejected their Messiah who came to free them, and they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. (Older KJV)

Before reading or quoting the words "faith cometh by hearing, etc." in Romans 10:17, it is best to understand that Paul is answering the question, "What is the righteousness of faith?" It is vital to read the whole context, not only parts of it. This is Paul's answer: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession [acknowledgment] is made unto salvation. Paul is not giving a formula to follow: he is preaching that righteousness comes with the heart "relying upon Christ for salvation," and that with the mouth man acknowledges that Jesus has come to be their Lord. Remember how Israel's problem was their lack of acknowledging God as the LORD God? Now Paul is telling them that they must rely on Messiah with their whole heart, and willingly acknowledge Him verbally (and risk persecution). For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ [Messiah]. If the good message of faith were preached man would be hearing the Messiah's words, not "the Word of God," which the revisers changed the verse to say. Paul continues: But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding will I anger you. And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. But of Israel he saith, All the day did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gain-saying people. Romans 10:8-21 (Older KJV)

The revisers are partly to blame for the misinterpretation of the above passage. But the majority of the blame belongs to those that would willingly pervert the message of faith. Romans 10:17 (in bold letters above) was replaced with "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." As a result, some have come to believe that reading and quoting the Bible will make their "faith" grow. If their "faith" is not "reliance upon Christ for salvation" or "entrusting their spiritual well-being to Christ," all of the effort they expend to force-feed their "faith" will be nothing but an exercise in futility. Unless they have been born from above they have no faith in God: their "faith" is centered in works of the flesh. Unless they have been born from above, God's Spirit is not resident in their life, and He cannot enlighten them in the Truth: they have chosen the darkness of unbelief, which is the opposite of true faith.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is well known as the "faith" chapter. The last five verses of chapter ten could easily have been the first verses in chapter eleven. Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. For yet a very little while, and he that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. But my righteous one shall live by faith: and if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith [reliance upon Christ] unto the saving of the soul. Now faith [reliance upon Christ for salvation] is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. For therein the elders had witness borne to them. Hebrews 10:35-39, & 11:1-2 (Older KJV) The "elders," whose accounts of faith make up chapter eleven, lived with God-given hope of the One that shall come, and shall not tarry.

Abraham, the mighty man of faith, also had the hope of the future City of God. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:8-10,13-16. (Older KJV) By not placing their hope in earthly possessions, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had their hope in things that are eternal, having "seen" them and greeted them from afar.

Toward the end of Hebrews chapter eleven, reference is made to many that with firm trust in God had suffered unthinkable things. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 11:39-40, 12:1-2. (Older KJV) If the great "cloud of witnesses" of the faith "hall of fame" could persevere in their trust in God, how much more should we "lay aside" all that would cause us to "shrink back" in unbelief? The "sin which doth so easily beset us" is the sin of unbelief. The only hope for the Church is steadfast reliance upon Christ for salvation, and entrusting her spiritual wellbeing to Him.

Self-righteousness

A "religious" life lived apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of self-righteousness - a life lived apart from the Grace of God. The righteousness of the Law was a flesh righteousness because the Law was obeyed in the strength of the flesh. Israel had a problem letting go of their own righteousness. They were so entrenched in the Law, that many could not receive the freedom available through the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4 (Older KJV)

Saul of Tarsus had been very much the Law-abiding Pharisee until Jesus claimed him for Himself, transforming him into "Paul the Apostle." Paul said, in Philippians 3:8-11: Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. (Older KJV) (The Greek word for "dung" means "that which is thrown to the dogs.")

Jesus put to death the flesh of man in Himself, and that is the reason Paul said that Jesus was made to be "righteousness" unto us. (I Corinthians 1:30) Jesus is Righteousness to all that rely on Him for salvation, and entrust their spiritual wellbeing to Him. If we believe we must maintain our own spiritual wellbeing through adherence to "Christian" rules and precepts we are failing to entrust our spiritual wellbeing to Jesus: we are "self-righteous;" and rejecting the Grace of God.

Grace

Much of the "Church" is bereft of understanding of the true meaning of "grace." Somewhere along the path of "defection from truth" a creature of flesh coined a phrase to define "God's grace." That erroneous man-made definition, which is "God's unmerited favor," has spread like wild fire throughout the "Church." It is accepted without question simply because someone passed it on, along with all of the other erroneous tradition of man. The Hebrew language does show that "grace" is "favor" within the context of its use in the Old Testament. One example is Genesis 6:8: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Another verse uses "favour," translated from the same Hebrew word: But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21

In translating the New Testament, some words of the Greek language were used to replicate Old Testament Hebrew words such as "grace." But the same word in the Greek failed to carry the full meaning according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. James Strong in his exhaustive concordance gave the definition of the Greek word "charis:" (quote) "graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literally, figuratively or spiritually: especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude.) The words shown in bold print reflect the meaning of "grace" in the majority of verses throughout the New Testament.

God's "Divine influence" is the work of the Holy Spirit in one that has come to "rely upon Christ for salvation." By "entrusting one's spiritual well-being to Christ" a person is surrendering to the Spirit of Grace. Paul made clear the understanding of both faith and grace when he said, I have been crucified with Christ: yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought. Galatians 2:20-21 (Older KJV)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, …full of grace and truth. For the law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:14,17 (Older KJV) His "Grace" is power – it is so much more than mere "favor."

Paul brought together the understanding of righteousness through faith by God's grace in Romans 3:21-26. But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe: for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified [rendered innocent] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation through faith by his blood to shew his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the shewing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus. (Older KJV) The words emphasized in bold print show the key points of this very long sentence.

"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" is often used in "evangelism." But Paul was simply pointing out that God makes no distinction between Jews and Gentiles: that ALL fall short of God's glory, and need His grace to "render them innocent."

Like James, Paul spoke of Abraham's righteousness because of his faith in God. But Paul went on to show "grace" as it relates to "works." What then shall we say that Abraham our forefather according to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. Romans 4:1-5. (Older KJV) If works could attain to righteousness it would mean that God owed man because of his efforts: it would be a debt owed by God to man, and Jesus would have died for no reason. But to the one that entrusts his spiritual wellbeing to Christ, it is the free gift of Grace that works the righteousness of God within him.

Faith and Grace are inseparable gifts from God. Without Faith, God's Grace cannot do His work in a believer; and without Grace, Faith[-fulness] is nigh unto impossible. To make the understanding more clear, I will paraphrase, using word meanings: "Without entrusting one's spiritual wellbeing to Christ, God's Divine influence upon the heart is prevented; and without the Divine influence upon the heart, it is almost impossible to entrust one's spiritual wellbeing to Christ." Paul said For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, that no man should glory. Ephesians 2:8-9 (Older KJV)