“The quest to feel certain becomes an idol when a person’s sense of significance to God and security before God is anchored not in their simple trust of God’s character, as revealed on the cross, but in how certain they feel about the rightness of their beliefs.” – Greg Boyd
The Gospel message is the Good News about Jesus Christ and what has already been done for all humanity. If the message of Jesus isn’t true already, then it’s not “Good News,” rather it would be a good announcement or a good prophecy. Unfortunately, our focus in the Churches has moved off the finished work, and has instead landed on a person’s faith to initiate things.
The difference is subtle, but we say things like, “I am righteous by faith,” or we say “I was healed by faith,” and even “I am saved by faith.” While there is technically nothing wrong with these statements, it can give a subtle idea that faith itself is a source of righteousness, healing and salvation.
Take for instance the subject of healing. Why does a person get healed? It is not their faith that has healed them, rather it says in 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
The verse does not say, potentially or positionally healed, it simply says you were healed. Now, even though this verse says everyone has been healed, there are still sick people on the earth. That is where faith comes in. Faith, is agreement with what Jesus has already done.
Jesus says, “You were healed by my stripes.” Then we respond in agreement, “I believe I was healed by Jesus’ stripes.” Faith is not the source of the healing, faith is agreement with the healing accomplished by the stripes of Jesus. Faith is the mechanism to manifest what Jesus says is already true.
Lets take a look at righteousness. The Scriptures says, Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
So God Says, “By the obedience of my Son, I have made you Righteous (Romans 5:19).” And we say, “I believe that by the obedience of Jesus, I have been made Righteous (Romans 4:5).” That agreement results in manifested Righteousness in our lives. Again, Jesus is the source of our Righteousness, faith is our agreement to what he says is already true about us.
What about Salvation? It’s the same principle. The Scriptures say, 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
So God says, “Because of Jesus, you have been Saved (Ephesians 2:5).” And we say “I believe on the Jesus who has saved me (Ephesians 2:8).” And this results in manifested Salvation.
Just as the agreement by faith is what manifests these realities, our disagreement or unbelief will result in these truths not being able to impact our lives. But our unbelief, doesn’t change the facts about what Jesus has done for all mankind.
This is the principle of Grace and Faith. God has provided everything by His Grace to all men, because of Jesus. Our response is faith in what Jesus has done, and our agreement will allow us to enjoy the benefits unto Salvation.
Andrew Wommack talking about the Balance between Grace and Faith.