ROMANS 3:28

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

As part of my role as Global Ministry Shepherd for Every Man A Warrior, I need to fly from time to time. I don’t mind flying, but I have to admit that it does not hold the same level of excitement it did years ago. One thing remains the same. I have to trust the pilots, flight crew and flight maintenance staff when I board that plane. When that plane takes off from the ground, climbing to over 30,000 feet, I have to place my faith in these people (whom I do not know) to keep me safe and bring me safely back to the earth.

In today’s verse, Paul makes it crystal clear that our salvation is strictly by faith and not in anything we do. He writes, “justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Actually, the word “by” is not in the text exactly. “Faith” is in the dative case. I know that blessed you but hold on. One of the ways the dative case is used in Greek is to indicate the instrument or means by which an action is performed. In this case it is used to show how we are justified. Faith is the instrument of justification. Isn’t that cool?

APPLICATION

Immediately, I am reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Can I “get in the weeds” for a moment? In verse 8 “grace” is also in the dative case which means it is the instrument by which we are saved. So, is faith the instrument or grace the instrument? Both! It is because we place our trust in Jesus and accept Him as Lord of lives (faith) that we can receive the gift (grace) that saves us.

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as “The Hall of Faith.” The author of this letter describes various saints who lived “by faith.” Each time “by faith” is used in verses 3-11 it is in the dative case. Go read that chapter and read it this way – “through the instrument of faith.” That may help you put the focus on the right thing. It was not about the persons named in these verses. It was all about their faith.

I just love the old hymns. One of my favorites is “Have Faith in God.” I want to close today’s blog giving you the first stanza and chorus. This will also serve as my closing prayer today.

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely
He sees and knows all the way you have trod
Never alone are the least of His children
Have faith in God, have faith in God

Chorus: Have faith in God, He’s on His throne
Have faith in God, He watches ‘oer his own
He cannot fail, He must prevail
Have faith in God, have faith in God

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