Believing Faith

"The Old Covenant people were not born again. The nation of Israel was at that time [and remains] a physical kingdom with physical borders and with towns and cities.

We are born-again children of God and the kingdom of God is within us (see Luke 17:21.) Hearing the truth of the gospel is how we gained invitation and access into this kingdom. We received the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith (see Gal. 3:2b). The book of Romans says it this way, "Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." (Rom. 10:17 NIV) Some Bible translations say the message is heard through the Word of "God." Now we know that Jesus is God, but if you use the word "God" in this passage of scripture, that would encompass the entire Bible, including the Old Testament law, with it's curses. And we know the law is not of faith, but the message of the gospel, the hearing of Christ, brings faith (see Gal. 3:12)."
[Except from 'Gates:Thanksgiving Papers' page 77.]

If you study the original Greek word for "God" used in Romans 10:17, it is not 'Theos' for "God," but 'Christos' for "Christ." The word 'gospel' in the Greek simply means 'good news.' The good news of Christ is explained in Rom. 1:16-17, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

What does the good news of Christ speak of?

Well, "Remember, before you were born-again, you were on a fast track heading down the highway of life. You were trying to earn your way to heaven by your effort and performance. Then you heard the truth of the gospel, the message that said it wasn't your performance, but what Christ did on the cross that offered you His unconditional pardon, and you accepted His offer. He took your sin and gave you His righteousness. You accepted His sacrificial atonement." [Excerpt from 'Gates' pages 46-47]

This is the righteousness spoken of in Romans 3:21-22; "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"

Remember that 'righteousness' means 'right-standing with God.' You came into this right-standing with God the moment you believed the gospel and became born-again. That's when you accepted His unconditional love. Now, as Christians, we daily remain in right-standing with God apart from our performance. (see Rom. 8:1) That's the good news. God bless.