Faith..."believe it...or not." This is best said in the Ripley's Believe it Or Not type of voice. The book of Romans is rich in the elements of faith. In the first chapter alone, we are lifted up on the wings of faith. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed." Rom. 1:16. I pray I will not be ashamed of the gospel in my thoughts, words, and actions, but instead, will be humbly aloft, overcoming gravity, with faith under my wings, always ready to testify to the greatness of the Good News story, should the opportunity present itself. And it will, guaranteed.
He "imputes" His righteousness to us when He saves us. He is who makes us right and just, by His power; therefore, "the righteous will live by faith" (Heb.10:38). We shall "live"! It beats being dead, doesn't it? Primarily, we shall live eternally in heaven because He has saved our souls. "It is by grace you are saved, through faith..." (Eph. 2:8). Secondly, while in this body, we shall truly "live", having life abundantly, even as fallen, finite creatures that have free will. We are called to live this life by faith.
Faith is intimately connected to belief. "Faith is believing in what's unseen." We believe in our salvation that was accomplished by Christ on the cross and the power of His resurrection. Though we didn't witness it historically, and we do not personally know the authors who penned the accounts, we accept and believe them to be true, as if we had seen it with our own eyes, as they did. Even if we had personally witnessed it, we could not possibly see what He accomplished in the spiritual realms, as He personally dealt with the problem of sin and death. We must believe He indeed became our sacrifice and substitute. We must believe He sufficiently took our place and provided The Way to heaven.
Now, get up and move. Get walking. You have Life. You have Christ. No more walking dead. Repent from that unbelief and leave it behind. Allow the Holy Spirit to heal the jadedness, negativity, and resentment that has frozen your soul in its tracks. Walk in faith in your Lord Jesus Christ. Walk in His power, depending on Him as your source of identity and purpose. Believe in His presence with you. His strength and capabilities are at your disposal. Trust Him with all your heart. He will direct your path.
