The absence of faith

The devil is free to torment us when we don’t grasp the simplicity of justification by faith.

Justification by faith naturally goes against man’s innate instinct to earn his reward. As he naturally believes he gets what he strives for through acts of work and tenacity. Even concerning his righteousness. Believing he should be good enough because of deeds done by his own efforts. 

But doesn’t see his exceeding sinfulness as he is deserving of death. And if it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of God he would be dead in transgression and eternally separated from Him.

Martin Luther, John Wesley and countless others were tormented until they were able to grasp it’s by faith we are justified, and not of works. It’s God who works faith in us to produce good works. And not of works produced of our merits and motivation, that we can muster up. Faith is not a belief we can exercise to put into practice.

Faith is a gift from God, which He both wills and acts through the indwelling of His Spirit. Moving us to act by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in accordance to His word. Faith is an active, lively confidence in the grace of God according to His will and purpose.

Justification by faith must be consistently in the mind and applied to the heart. Justification by faith must be a conscious effort to be willed and applied. 

To never forget it. For the natural tendency of the sinful nature is to assert self and put faith aside. To create an empty vacuum of faith for faith in self, and not in God according to His word. Especially, when we go through trials and tribulations to expose areas where we need faith the most.