Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
There's a challenge to the believer on how far he or she will dare walk with the Lord in the above scripture. For many years we've acted like God was going to sprinkle us with pixie dust and make us do what He says to do. We've spent centuries trying to figure out what God's will is for our lives. Our salvation was paid for by the Blood of Jesus two thousand years ago. John 3:16 (Amplified) shows that God's will is to save mankind and everything else that was lost in the fall of man. Luke 19:10 (Amplified) tells us, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."
In Romans 8:20-21 (Amplified) we read that, "For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration) not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of him who subjected it (yet) with the hope." Verse 21 says, "That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption (and gain an entrance) into the glorious freedom of God's children."
We find in Genesis 1:26-30 (Amplified) that man had dominion over all God's handiwork on earth. When Adam transgressed in the garden, he lost that power of dominion and delivered it into satan's hands. Luke 4:5-7 (Amplified) tells us, "Then the devil took Him [Jesus] up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time (in a twinkling of an eye)." Verse 6 says, "And he said unto Him, to You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, pre-eminence, dignity and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will."
Jesus displayed an authority higher than the devil when He ordered the fish to fill Peter's nets. He brought dominion and authority back over creation in Luke 5:4-6 (Amplified) which says, "Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, 'Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.'" Verse 5 goes on, "And Simon answering said unto Him, 'Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at on the ground of Your word, I will lower the net (again).'" Verse 6 & 7 says, "And when they had done this they caught a great number of fish; and as their nets were (at the point of) breaking they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them, and they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."
Man was God's primary subject of redemption, but He wouldn't leave anything He created behind for His enemy's (satan's) use. Now, through the redemption of mankind by Jesus, there's a place for God's children to walk above the lies of satan to mankind.
God's will for man and creation, through Jesus, is found in John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "For God so loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His Only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
God's will for man and all His handiwork is salvation for whoever will believe. You might say,"What if I don't believe? Will I still be saved?" No! Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, found in Matthew 26:39 (Amplified), "And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will (not what I desire), but what You will and desire.'"
If what the unsaved world believes (all roads lead to heaven or any religion is alright as long as you believe) is true, then there would never have been a need for Calvary. We could have just become righteous and justified by our own works and merits. The Word says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Because we cannot be saved any other way than by faith in Jesus and His righteousness, why would anyone try another way? Romans 1:17 (Amplified) told us that the faith that got our sins forgiven, goes into a deeper knowledge of Jesus that opens up a new measure of faith and that, by faith, we believe for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the the speaking of new tongues as described in Acts 2:4 (Amplified). All this lead to more faith as recorded in Acts 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "And His name, through faith and by faith in His name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong (Yes) the faith which is through and by Him (Jesus) has given this man this perfect soundness (of body) before all of you."
In Romans 1:17 (Amplified), and many other scriptures as well, there's laid down the liberty and opportunity to walk by faith into a walk with our Father into a realm of His might which will bring glory to Him through the name of Jesus. "But, not everyone can do these things, " you might say. You're right in one sense, but wrong in another. Many have said that these things were for the early Church, or that these things were for His disciples only, or that He doesn't do these things any longer, or that we don't need these things in the 21st century. Well, all of these statements are wrong.
In Mark 16:15-20 (Amplified) we read, "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the Good News (the Gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Who sets it forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him who is sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17 & 18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents, and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." Verse 19 goes on, "So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God." Verse 20 ends, "And they went out and preached everywhere; while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied (it). Amen (so be it)."
The journey of faith that I spoke of and quoted from Romans 1:17 will go from faith to faith. Jesus said that the signs would follow those who believed and who believed in His name. Then, the Word says that signs and miracles were done everywhere they preached the message in the power of His Name.
I find it hard to accept or even think about Jesus' Name being less powerful today than it was then. Has the Name of Jesus lost its power or have we lost faith in His Name? Afterall, all we're required to do is to believe and to lay our hands on the sick. I don't see anything hard about laying my hands on someone in His Name. Are we worried about our own reputation or are we afraid it won't work? If so, then it's not faith in Jesus' Name, but in our own name we're walking in.
Jesus simply told them to preach the Gospel and if they believe and are saved, then these signs will follow them. These weren't the Apostles or Matthew, Mark, Luke or even John. They were people (like us) who heard the Word, believed the Word and healed the sick and cast out demons and performed miracles in His Name.
Romans 1:20 (Amplified) tells us that the Lord kept working with them and confirming His message. He wasn't confirming them. He was confirming His Word and His Word is still alive and well today.
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