Romans 1:17 “the just shall live by faith.”
Martin Luther claimed this verse for his own personal salvation. It also resulted in the Reformation in which many thousands of people were saved. Interestingly, the verse is not talking about salvation but about how God’s people should live once they are saved.
Putting your faith in the right thing matters. If your faith is in an experience, a baptism, a church membership, your good works – it is a false faith and will not benefit you. The Bible plainly declares that true faith can only have one object of that faith – Christ and what He did for us on the cross. Faith in anything else or anyone else is vain.
Once you are saved, this verse states that faith is an essential key to please God. Another verse that says the same thing is found in Hebrews 11:6: “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.”
True faith must be based on the Word of God and His leadership. The Holy Spirit will never lead anyone contrary to the Bible. Apart from His leadership, there will be mistakes and regrets.
Knowing what to believe and do about life’s daily decisions comes from knowing the Word of God. Believers that have a shallow understanding of the Word are bound to make mistakes, have wrong goals, and put faith in the wrong things – such as convenience, circumstances, and unBiblical counsel. This is why going to the local church that teaches the Bible plainly is so important, and personal Bible study.
Have you conducted a personal search of whether you have true faith or not? Do you study the Bible and go to church to help ensure you are walking in a way that pleases God?