June 1998 Issue

Faith...

FAITH is essential for the alien sinner

to become a Christian

by Nick Law

THE ALIEN SINNER

The scriptures conclude that all accountable individuals, whether Jew or Gentile, have sinned. An "alien sinner" is one accountable to God and has not become obedient to the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Christ Jesus where he is justified freely by the redemptive power of the blood of Christ (Romans 3:22-25). Paul describes the Gentiles or heathen as without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:11-12). Man is drawn away by his own desires and enticed, through the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life. When this lust/desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin (James 1:12-15). Sin separates us from God.

All men are created in the image of God, for God is a Spirit, therefore they seek and search for their like image. God, by revelation, has communicated with man through his inspired word. He has revealed man's origin from the dust of the ground into which God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He also reveals GOD'S PURPOSE or duty of man and that there will be an accounting before God. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

THE ESSENTIALITY OF FAITH

Faith is explained by the Hebrew writer, who informs us, (KJV) "11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." {substance: or, ground, or, confidence}. The old meaning of "substance", as well as of "hupostasis", the Greek word here used, is "stand under", that is, to be a foundation. Faith is the foundation on which all our hopes for the future are built. The evidence of things not seen. Rather, the conviction or persuasion of things not seen. Without faith we would be limited to the very narrow world that surrounds us that we experience by the senses of taste, feel, hear, smell, and sight. The revelation of God's word allows us to know things by faith, that we have not actually seen, such as the creation, the origin of man, and the future destiny of the soul.

The alien sinner MUST hear the word of God in order that he may come to believe in God. Without the revelation, this knowledge of God and God's will for man, one cannot recognize his sinful condition before the Creator. Paul makes it clear that without the law, he would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "you shall not covet" (Romans 7:7). Thus, "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb 11:6).

After the feeding of the five thousand and calming of the storm, the people that had followed Jesus asked, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answer to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him (Christ) whom He (God ) sent" (John 6:28-29). Peter preached to the men of Israel to hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you , as you yourselves also KNOW. Christ had been delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, and these with wicked hands, had crucified, and put to death. These sinful men were called upon to believe that God had raised Christ from the dead to sit on the throne of David. Their faith/belief moved these men to recognize and understand there wicked condition before God and the need to ask, "Men and brethren what shall we do?"(Acts 2:37) Those that gladly received Peter's instruction were baptized and the Lord added the saved to the church. Their faith in the gospel convicted them of sin and moved them to be obedient!

Eternal life depends upon one's belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12). The alien sinner that will read the book of John must either accept the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God-all that He claimed to be - or He was an is an imposter. The verdict of belief is essential for one to accept Jesus who states, (John 8:24) "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Among things that must be believed concerning Jesus is that He is the "SEED" promise that was given to Abraham that all nations of the earth would be blest. He was born of woman (Mary), He lived a life without sin and as the "Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world" gave His life freely, dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world. He was buried in a grave and arose again the third day according to the scriptures and showing himself alive with many infallible proofs for forty days, ascended into heaven to be seated on the right hand of the Father. Alien sinners we read about in the book of Acts that believed these truths gladly received and obeyed the instruction of repentance and baptism for the remission of their sins. The eunuch said, " See, here is water; what doeth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36, 37). One cannot demonstrate faith in God without doing the works of right doing. The eunuch was willing to allow his faith/belief to act upon the teaching of Jesus. This teaching to Phillip was, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) Are you persuaded to BELIEVE in Jesus Christ? Will you please read the scriptures and come to a knowledge of Christ? Will you allow your FAITH in that knowledge of truth move you to act in LOVING OBEDIENCE by keeping the commandments of God? God's will is that you submit!!

[Editor's Note: Thanks to Nick Law for the article! He can be reached at nlaw@Traveller.com 16335 Miller Street, Athens, AL. 35611]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com