The title of my message tonight is Three Characteristics of Our Faith. The Word of God presents us with a religion a way of faith, a system of belief and worship that involves three distinct characteristics. Whenever you find true Christianity, wherever you find the faith of God's elect, wherever you find men and women worshipping God in spirit and in truth, you will find these three characteristics. They will be found wherever Christ is known, worshipped, and honored, in any age, in any place, among any people. As we read through the Book of Isaiah, we find him constantly dealing with these three things.
I. First, our faith is Characterized By Righteousness.In our text, Isaiah identifies sin as the one thing that separates man and God. The reason is simple and clear – God is righteous!
The Lord God whom we worship is perfectly, infinitely, gloriously, and unapproachably holy and righteous – (I Tim. 6:15-16). That faith which comes form him and brings men to him is a faith of righteousness.
A. God is Righteous. B. God's Law Demands Righteousness.This is one thing that separates true Christianity from the religions of the world and most especially from the ancient, pagan religions of the Gentile world.
NOTE: Morality is not Christianity. You may be very moral and not be saved. But you cannot be saved and yet be immoral. Wherever true Christianity's found, moral righteousness is found.
Christianity is a judgment religion. The God of the Bible is a God of judgment. Judgment is identified in our text, as a separation from God and the cause of judgment is sin.
III. Thirdly, our text speaks of, and our faith is Characterized by a Message of Redemption, Grace, and Salvation.
Though our sins have separated between us and God, his hand is able to save and his ear is open to the cry of poor, helpless sinners. He is a God ready to save and a God mighty to save. He is both willing and able!
Application: In light of these things, I cannot help myself; I must ask once more – "Why will ye die?
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