May 16

“For Christ is the end of the law for everyone having faith” (Romans 10:4).

“Trusting” is a better choice of translation of the Greek pisteuo than “having faith”; it is variously translated as “faith”, “belief”, “trust”, “confidence” etc. To the Hellenistic mind, each of these words can be distinguished from the others and each have a separate and distinctive understanding; that is, one can believe without trusting, one can have confidence without having faith etc.

But to Paul, that “Hebrew of Hebrews”, the Greek pisteuo carries with it an understanding that embraces ALL of these English words; for example, faith without trust is unthinkable and is not faith as Paul would describe it; the same may be said for trust without confidence, or belief without trust. If there is one concept that is absolutely fundamental to the use of this word by Paul, wherever he uses it, it is “trust”.

We live in an era where it is possible to believe without having faith, and to have faith without having absolute confidence and trust; this disability informs the expression of our “faith” to the world and is such that the world cannot see Christ living in His people; their faith is without power. So the world turns away, looking elsewhere for the meaning of life, a meaning that carries with it the power to live according to the doctrines it proclaims. Alas, they are doomed not to find it, for only in Christ can the meaning and purpose of life be found and understood; and to achieve that takes a lifetime for any and every man.