Matters of Faith

A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.

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James ‘Loren’ Russell was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, where he and his wife (Evelyn) of thirty-eight years currently reside. Loren began his professional career as a life insurance agent, quickly rising to sales manager and then senior management. To fulfill his entrepreneurial ambitions, Loren established The JLR Company/J Loren Consulting, LLC to provide financial planning services in general, “Biblical Economics” services to the religious community, and motivational and developmental seminars and workshops. He served 7 years with the Southern Baptist Convention as the Northeast Strategy Coordinator, Regional Church Finance Consultant, and Church Planting Coordinator for NYC. Loren earned the Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary and received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry from the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Through J Loren R Consulting, LLC, Loren provides financial, strategic planning, and business consultations to churches, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses nationally, with a specialization in urban church strategies. Loren’s spiritual and civic commitment keeps him busy. He is currently providing pastoral leadership to The Evangelical Church of God and continues as an Associate Minister and former Sunday School teacher at his home church, Goodwill Baptist Church. He is the founder of the Back In Stride Ministry, a ministry designed to help ex-offenders to establish their businesses; past President of the John L. Scott Associate Ministers Auxiliary of the United Missionary Baptist Association; founder and Chief Chaplain of the New York State Chaplains Workers Task Force, Inc; President of the 42nd Precinct Community Council, Clergy Liaison, and Moderator for the Ceasefire Initiative all for the New York Police Department; President of the Home/Simpson Street Homeowners Association, Bronx, NY; Board member of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI); 3 times past President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club, NY, and past District Governor for Rotary District 7230. Loren has a chapter capturing parts of his life in the book, Children of the Dream – The Psychology of Black Success by Audrey Edwards and Dr. Craig Polite. He also helped establish and provided voice-overs for the Speaking Community Calendar at Bronx Net Cable, Bronx, NY. Rev. Dr. Russell is an author who writes a weekly column called “Matters of Faith” that appear in several publications, Yonkers Insider, Better Mag magazine, Positve Community Magazine, and Pamela’s Big Heart Newsletter, and on his social media outlets. In addition, he hosts a weekly internet radio talk show, “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” (Matters of Faith YouTube channel), and authored and published Matters of Faith: The Book. Loren is a frequently sought-after preacher, keynote speaker, motivational instructor, workshop leader, and Master of Ceremonies for a variety of programs. Loren’s favorite quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which epitomizes his philosophy on life. It states, “We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

Justified By Faith

Romans 5:1-2 NKJV

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what it means to be justified in God’s sight? If by nature we are all under the condemnation of sin just as our common ancestor Adam, will we ever be able to be vindicated or declared innocent from the guilt of our sinfulness?

The Romans text says “yes!”, it is possible to be justified, but it will not be because of the works that we do. It says we are justified by faith. Paul writes to the Galatian church, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Gal. 2:16) 

In a previous devotional, I referenced John 5:24 to affirm a promise; “he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life”.  But the eternal realm of glory, we refer to as heaven,  is reserved for those who are without sin. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), how can sinful people inhabit heaven?  

To be justified in God’s sight means that you have been judged and declared not guilty of all charges. It means that although you are guilty of committing every sin you were accused of, because of our faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Jesus]” (Acts 26:18).

Our  works have always been insufficient, always falling short. We have never been able to be reconciled with God through our works. It is through faith and faith alone that we are justified, treated just-as-if we never sinned. Justified means that “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”(Romans 5:2). Always remember that justification in the eyes of our God is through our faith, not our works. 

Be Blessed! 

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