Lesson 15: Living By Faith in Jesus Christ

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22

When, for instance, we are told four times in our Bibles that “the just shall live by faith,” (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 10:38) it is not simply that we live in a spirit of optimism, a faith or hope that everything will come out all right at last. When we speak of the doctrine of justification by faith, it is not to say that he who maintains a courageous heart will thereby be declared righteous. Faith is not the savior. Faith is the hand that lays hold of Him who does save. Therefore the folly of talking of weak faith as opposed to strong faith. The feeblest faith in Christ is saving faith. The strongest faith in self, or anything or one else but Christ, is but a delusion and a snare, and will leave the soul at last unsaved and forever forlorn.

And so when we are bidden to draw near to God with true hearts in full assurance of faith, the meaning is that we are to rest implicitly on what God has revealed concerning His Son and His glorious work for our redemption. This is set forth admirably in the former part of this chapter in Hebrews where our verse is found. There we have set out in vivid contrast the difference between the many sacrifices offered under the legal dispensation and the one perfect, all-sufficient oblation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note some of the outstanding differences:

1. They were many and often repeated. His is but one, and no other will ever be required.

2. They did not have the necessary value to settle the sin question. His is of such infinite value, it has settled that problem forevermore.

3. They could not purge the consciences of those who brought them. His purges all who believe, giving a perfect conscience because all sin has been put away from under the eye of God.

4. They could not open the way into the Holiest. His has rent the veil, and inaugurated the new and living way into the very presence of God.

5. They could not perfect the one who offered them. His one sacrifice has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

6. In them there was a remembrance again of sins from year to year. His has enabled God to say, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

7. It was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should put away sin. But Christ has accomplished that very thing by the sacrifice of Himself.

Here then is where faith rests, on the finished work of Christ. It will help us greatly to understand this, if we glance at what is revealed concerning the sin offering of the old covenant.

Thought Question:
What is the best part for you of having Faith in Jesus?