Reply To: Faith 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[ambcovenant]

Faith in the Finished Work of Christ

Introduction

Understanding Faith in the Finished Work

The Christian life begins and is sustained by faith—not merely in doctrines, but in a Person and His completed work: the Lord Jesus Christ. The phrase “the finished work of Christ” refers to all that Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. In John 19:30, Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” signifying that the demands of justice were satisfied, the power of sin was broken, and the way to the Father was fully opened. According to Vine’s Dictionary, the Greek word for faith—“pistis”—means a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing (Romans 10:17). It is not vague belief but a trust anchored in divine revelation.

To walk in the reality of this finished work, the believer must understand and appropriate what it entails. Let us now explore four vital things that faith in Christ’s finished work entails, followed by how this faith is utilized, and finally, we will examine if there is another kind of faith available to the believer.

I. Four Vital Things Faith in the Finished Work Entails:

1. Justification by Faith (Romans 5:1)

Faith in the finished work brings justification—a legal standing before God as righteous. The word “justified” comes from the Greek “dikaioó,” meaning to declare righteous. This righteousness is not earned but received by trusting in Christ’s substitutionary death. The Exhaustive Concordance references Romans 4:24–25, which teaches that Jesus was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification. When we believe, we are treated as though we never sinned.

2. Freedom from Condemnation and Sin (Romans 8:1–2)

Faith in Christ’s work sets us free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free. The Greek word “katakrima” (condemnation) is a judicial term meaning a damnatory sentence. Faith removes that sentence permanently.

3. Access to Divine Inheritance (Ephesians 1:11; Galatians 3:29)

Through faith in Christ’s work, the believer becomes a joint heir with Him. Galatians 3:14 says that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The Vine’s Dictionary defines inheritance (klēronomia) as what is received by lot, meaning we are legally entitled to all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).

4. Victory through Christ’s Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This is positional victory—we reign not because of our performance but because we have received His righteousness by faith. This changes how we approach life, prayer, spiritual warfare, and even suffering.

II. How to Utilize This Faith

1. By Meditating and Declaring the Word

Faith grows through constant hearing (Romans 10:17). We meditate on the Word (Joshua 1:8) and speak it out to renew our minds and align our hearts with what Christ has done.

2. Walking in Spiritual Identity

We must consciously walk as sons, not slaves (Galatians 4:7). Identity shapes behavior. When you know you’re justified, redeemed, and accepted, you live from victory.

3. Exercising Authority Over the Enemy

Luke 10:19 assures us of authority over serpents and scorpions. Faith in the finished work means we enforce Christ’s triumph over Satan, not plead for it.

4. Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:11 declares that the same Spirit that raised Jesus dwells in us. Faith gives us access to this resurrection life daily. Faith is the channel by which grace flows (Ephesians 2:8).

III. Is There Another Kind of Faith for the Believer?

Yes, the believer also lives by “the faith of the Son of God.”

Galatians 2:20 says: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Vine’s Dictionary points out that the Greek construct “pistis Iēsou Christou” is a genitive of origin—meaning this is not just faith in Christ but faith that comes from Christ, i.e., His own faith infused in the believer. This faith:

-Is divine in nature (2 Peter 1:1 calls it like precious faith)

-Operates by love (Galatians 5:6)

-Cannot fail (Luke 22:32, where Jesus said to Peter: “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not”).

-This kind of faith enables believers to go beyond intellectual belief and function in Christ’s ability—healing the sick, raising the dead, overcoming temptation, and enduring trials.

Conclusion

Faith in the finished work of Christ is not passive—it is the believer’s foundation, identity, and power source. It justifies us, frees us from sin, grants us inheritance, and gives us victory. This faith is activated daily through Word meditation, spiritual identity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Beyond this, the believer is empowered with the faith of the Son of God—a divine impartation that enables supernatural living. Thus, our walk with God is not by sight but by faith—faith in what Christ has done, and faith by which Christ lives in us.