Or, Who shall descend into the deep? ( that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
No one must descend into the deep, the abyss, the earth, or the realm of the dead to bring Christ up from the dead. Righteousness by faith requires no such descent into the depths to bring Him back. The reason is that Christ has already been raised and is not lost, distant, or beyond reach, so salvation is already offered through the risen Christ. His resurrection and the way of salvation are not remote or dependent on a human act to fetch Him.
Instead the word of faith is near, in the mouth and in the heart. Salvation comes by believing that God raised Jesus from the dead and by confessing Him as Lord. It is given freely, without money or price, and is received by faith, not achieved by human effort, impossible efforts, or long pilgrimages to find Christ.
That faith is wholehearted trust that embraces Christ as a personal Saviour. It leads to confession, love, and a life shaped by Christ. It means submitting the will to God, receiving Christ, doing His Word, and accepting salvation on its stated conditions. God, Christ, and the heavenly beings are near to this world and to every person. Christ is present to help, to sympathize, to be spoken with, and to receive the sinner, even amid hardship and moral darkness.
The sinner may come to Him simply and trustingly and trust His promise. Those who humble themselves and seek God with all their heart will find Him, for when they draw near to Him He draws near to them. Coming requires consenting to give up sin and acknowledging guilt, which removes the barrier between the soul and the Saviour. The love of sin closes the heart to the Saviour, but when that barrier is removed Christ may enter and take possession of the heart.
No one must descend into the deep, the abyss, the earth, or the realm of the dead to bring Christ up from the dead. Righteousness by faith requires no such descent into the depths to bring Him back. The reason is that Christ has already been raised and is not lost, distant, or beyond reach, so salvation is already offered through the risen Christ. His resurrection and the way of salvation are not remote or dependent on a human act to fetch Him.
Instead the word of faith is near, in the mouth and in the heart. Salvation comes by believing that God raised Jesus from the dead and by confessing Him as Lord. It is given freely, without money or price, and is received by faith, not achieved by human effort, impossible efforts, or long pilgrimages to find Christ.
That faith is wholehearted trust that embraces Christ as a personal Saviour. It leads to confession, love, and a life shaped by Christ. It means submitting the will to God, receiving Christ, doing His Word, and accepting salvation on its stated conditions. God, Christ, and the heavenly beings are near to this world and to every person. Christ is present to help, to sympathize, to be spoken with, and to receive the sinner, even amid hardship and moral darkness.
The sinner may come to Him simply and trustingly and trust His promise. Those who humble themselves and seek God with all their heart will find Him, for when they draw near to Him He draws near to them. Coming requires consenting to give up sin and acknowledging guilt, which removes the barrier between the soul and the Saviour. The love of sin closes the heart to the Saviour, but when that barrier is removed Christ may enter and take possession of the heart.