Read Romans 3:27-31

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith.” (Romans 3:27)

The principle of faith is a crucial point in Paul’s exposition of the Gospel in the Book of Romans. Already, Paul has spoken of this principle multiple times. It cannot be emphasized enough that being declared right with God is "through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." (see Romans 3:21-22).

Of course, this principle is not unique to Paul’s letters, but is the foundation of the entire New Testament, including the teachings of Christ Himself.

“Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”” (John 6:29)

This is how we receive the New Covenant purchased by Christ’s blood — through faith, and through faith alone. It is one of the main arteries in the body of the Gospel message.

To put things in perspective, the word faith is used nearly 600 times in the New Testament, which means you'll run into it, on average, at least twice in every chapter. And Paul has no apologies for using the word over 60 times in the Book of Romans. There is hardly a word used more than Christ's own name!

Thus, if the principle of faith carries such an enormous weight of meaning in biblical theology and Christian practice, we must understand its meaning. If we have the wrong definition of faith, we will live in the wrong application of the Gospel. Likewise, if we have changed or forgotten the true definition of faith, we will have changed or forgotten the true application of the Gospel in our daily lives.

Contrary to the modern usage, which has deteriorated into wishful thinking and has become the spectacle of fairy tales, faith is actually a real life principle built on objectivity. The author of Hebrews defines faith as it truly is.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Notice — faith is not hope, but the substance of hope; faith is not wishful thinking, but the evidence of what cannot be seen. Faith is really less of a religious word and more of a forensic word. It's the action of trusting in objective evidence and building real hope upon it.

William Newell, who has one of the most beloved commentaries on Romans known to man, defines faith this way: "Faith is to trust what God said is true." God said it, therefore you trust it — and you trust it because there is a substance of evidence to do so. That's faith!

When we understand the definition of faith, we can therefore understand the principle of faith in the New Testament. It is by faith alone that we are saved! That is, we choose to trust that what God said is true about Christ's death and resurrection for us. On this principle, a man receives salvation and is declared right with God! There are no laws, no deeds, no good works, and certainly no amount of obedience that can justify us before the Almighty. All He requires is our participation through one conduit — faith!

Beloved, trust God that you have eternal life! Trust God that your sins are forgiven and washed away! Trust God that Jesus Christ has paid it all for you! Trust God that you will rise again as He promised! In all things, live not by standards, but by trusting in God.

Then and only then — Praise God! — will you find rest for your soul and the tender guiding of the Holy Spirit working in your life. Live by faith, Christian!

“For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17)

‍