Daily EncouragementSample

The gospel is described in a variety of significant ways: “the word of God”; “the word of the Lord”; “the word of Christ”; “the word of his grace”; “the word of truth”; “the word of the cross”; “the word of reconciliation”; “the word of Life”; and here “the word of faith” (1 Thess. 2:13; Acts 19:20; Col. 3:16; Acts 20:32; Col. 1:5; 1 Cor. 1:18, RSV; 2 Cor. 5:19, AV; Phil. 2:16). All these terms are needed in order to give a full definite of the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim. 1:11).

“The word of faith” - here the emphasis is on the response for which the gospel calls. For “faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). The fact that the gospel calls for faith is in itself good news. There is no gospel in a message which puts forward a standard of good works or conformity to religious rules and regulations as a means of salvation. When Martin Luther writes “faith alone” in the margin beside Romans 1:17, he is standing in true gospel light.

This faith is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a response of the whole person - “for it is with your heart that you believe” - and it cannot be hidden. Faith is inevitably expressed with the mouth as we confess: “Jesus is Lord” (Rom. 10:9-10).