Dr. Nilo H. Flores – Business for Christ

Dr. Nilo H. Flores

August 29, 2026

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
— Romans 5:1 (KJV)

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Word and for the wonderful truth of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Thank You that I do not have to depend upon my own goodness, achievements, religion, or works to be accepted by You.

Thank You that Jesus Christ has done what I could never do.

Father, help me understand what it means to be saved through faith.

Teach me to trust Christ completely and not depend upon myself.

Strengthen my faith when I face difficulties, disappointments, uncertainty, and fear.

Help me live every day believing Your promises and following Your Word.

Give me the courage to share with others that salvation is available through faith in Jesus Christ.

May my faith produce obedience, faithfulness, love, and a life that brings glory to You.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Introduction

In our previous lesson, we learned that salvation is by grace.

Today, we will look at another essential truth:

Salvation is through faith.

Ephesians 2:8 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith…”

Grace is God’s part.

Faith is our response to God’s gracious provision.

God provided salvation through Jesus Christ.

We receive that salvation by faith.

This does not mean that faith is a work that earns salvation.

Faith simply means trusting God and believing what He has said concerning Jesus Christ.

A person can know about Jesus without personally trusting Him.

A person can know many Bible verses without personally believing the Gospel.

A person can attend church for years without placing his faith in Christ.

The question is not merely:

“Do you know about Jesus?”

The more important question is:

“Have you personally trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour?”

What Does “Faith” Mean?

Original Greek Study

Greek Word: πίστις
Transliteration: pistis
Pronunciation: pis’-tis

The Greek word πίστις (pistis) means:

• Faith
• Belief
• Trust
• Confidence
• Conviction
• Reliance upon someone or something

Biblical faith involves trusting God and believing His Word.

Faith is more than simply saying:

“I believe Jesus existed.”

It means placing your confidence in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for your salvation.

Faith is trusting Christ, not trusting yourself.

1. Faith Believes God’s Word

Romans 10:17 says:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Faith is connected to God’s Word.

We do not create biblical faith based upon feelings.

We do not build faith upon human opinion.

We do not build faith upon traditions.

We build faith upon the truth of Scripture.

God has spoken.

We believe what He has said.

The Gospel tells us that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 says:

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Faith believes God’s testimony concerning His Son.

2. Faith Trusts Jesus Christ

Faith is not simply believing that salvation exists.

Faith personally trusts the Saviour.

Imagine a person standing beside a chair.

He can believe that the chair exists.

He can believe that the chair looks strong.

He can even tell other people:

“That is a good chair.”

But he has not demonstrated complete trust in the chair until he actually sits down.

In a similar way, knowing facts about Jesus is not the same as trusting Jesus Christ.

The sinner must personally trust Christ.

Faith rests its confidence in Jesus Christ.

3. Faith Looks Away From Self

One of the biggest obstacles to salvation is self-reliance.

People often think:

“I can fix myself.”

“I can become good enough.”

“I can work harder.”

“I can be religious enough.”

“I can make God accept me.”

But salvation requires us to recognize that we cannot save ourselves.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Faith turns our attention away from ourselves and toward Christ.

Instead of saying:

“Look what I have done.”

Faith says:

“Look what Jesus Christ has done.”

4. Faith Receives God’s Gift

Romans 6:23 says:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

A gift must be received.

Imagine someone offering you a valuable gift.

The person has already purchased it.

The person has already prepared it.

The person extends it toward you.

You cannot say:

“I will earn it first.”

If you earn it, it is no longer a gift.

God offers eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Faith receives what God has graciously provided.

Grace gives; faith receives.

5. Faith Brings Justification

Romans 5:1 says:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

The word justified means that God declares the believing sinner righteous based on Christ’s work.

Original Greek Study

Greek Word: δικαιόω
Transliteration: dikaioō
Pronunciation: dik-ah-yo’-o

It carries the idea of declaring or showing to be righteous, to justify.

We are not justified because we have become perfect through our own effort.

We are justified because of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24 says:

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

What a wonderful truth!

The believer’s standing before God rests upon Christ.

6. Faith Brings Peace With God

Romans 5:1 continues:

“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Sin produces separation from God.

But through Christ, the sinner can be reconciled to God.

This is not merely emotional peace.

It is peace with God.

The believer no longer stands before God as an enemy under condemnation.

Through Christ, there is reconciliation.

Colossians 1:20 says:

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross…”

The cross made the way for peace between God and sinful humanity.

Jesus Christ is our peace with God.

7. Faith Is Not Blind

Some people say:

“Faith means believing something without evidence.”

Biblical faith is not foolish or irrational.

Christian faith is based upon God’s revelation and the testimony of Scripture.

Hebrews 11:1 says:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith trusts what God has revealed.

We cannot see everything God has promised yet.

But we trust Him because He is faithful.

For example, we have not physically seen heaven.

But we believe God’s promise concerning heaven.

We have not personally witnessed the creation of the world.

But we trust God’s revealed Word.

We have not seen Jesus physically with our eyes.

But we believe the biblical testimony concerning His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

Faith trusts the trustworthy God.

8. Faith Does Not Mean Perfect Understanding

Sometimes people think they must understand everything before they can trust Christ.

But none of us understands everything.

There are mysteries in Scripture that even mature Christians continue to study.

Faith does not require us to know everything.

It requires us to trust the One who knows everything.

A child may not understand everything about an airplane, but he can trust his father to take him safely on the journey.

In the same way, we may not understand every detail of God’s plan, but we can trust God.

Proverbs 3:5 says:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

9. Faith Produces Obedience

True faith should affect the way we live.

Faith is not merely words.

It changes our direction.

James 2:17 says:

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

Good works do not purchase salvation.

But genuine faith produces a changed life.

We are saved by grace through faith.

Then, as believers, we should live in obedience to God.

Ephesians 2:10 follows immediately after verses 8–9:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”

Notice the order.

Saved by grace through faith.

Then:

Created unto good works.

Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the price of salvation.

10. Faith Continues After Salvation

Faith is not only necessary when we first trust Christ.

The Christian life is also a life of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Every day, we have opportunities to trust God.

When the future is uncertain, trust God.

When the answer to prayer seems delayed, trust God.

When ministry becomes difficult, trust God.

When finances are limited, trust God.

When people disappoint us, trust God.

When circumstances do not make sense, trust God.

God remains faithful.

Abraham: An Example of Faith

Abraham is one of the great examples of faith in Scripture.

Romans 4:3 says:

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Abraham believed God.

His faith was demonstrated by his obedience.

He did not know every detail of what God would do.

But he trusted God’s promise.

Hebrews 11:8 says:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed…”

Faith and obedience worked together in Abraham’s life.

Faith says, “God has spoken, so I will trust Him.”

The Faith of the Philippian Jailer

Acts 16 gives us another powerful example.

The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas:

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Paul and Silas answered:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31 (KJV)

The answer was not:

“Do enough good works.”

It was not:

“Become religious enough.”

It was not:

“Earn your salvation.”

The message was:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

That is the Gospel of grace through faith.

Faith and Business for Christ

Faith should influence every area of our lives, including business.

A Christian businessman should not trust money more than God.

Money can disappear.

Markets can change.

Businesses can fail.

Opportunities can come and go.

But God remains faithful.

Proverbs 3:5–6 teaches:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

This does not mean we ignore wisdom, planning, accounting, preparation, or responsible management.

Faith does not mean being careless.

Faith means that after doing what is right and responsible, we ultimately place our confidence in God.

Plan wisely. Work faithfully. Pray sincerely. Trust God completely.

Our business should never become our god.

Our money should never become our master.

Christ must remain first.

Practical Application

Take a moment and ask yourself:

• Am I trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation?
• Am I depending upon my own goodness?
• Do I believe God’s promises even when circumstances are difficult?
• Does my faith influence my decisions?
• Is my faith producing obedience?
• Do I trust God with my future?
• Do I trust God with my family?
• Do I trust God with my ministry?
• Do I trust God with my work and business?
• Am I helping others understand the Gospel of faith?

Faith is not simply something we talk about.

Faith is something we live.

Today’s Challenge

Read and meditate on:

      Romans 4:1–8
      Romans 5:1–5
      Ephesians 2:8–10
      Hebrews 11:1–10
      Acts 16:25–34

Today, identify one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God.

Bring that concern to Him in prayer.

Tell God honestly:

“Lord, I do not understand everything, but I choose to trust You.”

Then take one step of obedience based upon God’s Word.

Also, pray for someone who needs to understand that salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ.

If God gives you the opportunity, share the Gospel with that person.

Remember

Salvation is not achieved by human effort.

Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ.

We do not trust our goodness.

We trust Christ.

We do not trust our religion.

We trust Christ.

We do not trust our achievements.

We trust Christ.

We do not trust ourselves.

We trust Jesus Christ.

✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores

“Faith is not trusting in what I can accomplish for God; faith is resting in what God has already accomplished for me through Jesus Christ. The more I trust Christ, the less I depend upon myself.”

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores

😊 Flores Faith Smile

A Sunday school teacher asked a little boy:

“Johnny, what is faith?”

Johnny thought for a moment and answered:

“Faith is believing God even when I cannot see Him.”

The teacher smiled and said:

“Very good! Can you give me an example?”

Johnny answered:

“Yes. I believe Mom is cooking dinner even though I can’t see the kitchen from here.”

The teacher laughed.

Johnny continued:

“And I have faith that dinner will be ready because I can already smell it!”

Everyone laughed.

The teacher said:

“That’s a good example of trusting something you cannot yet see. But biblical faith is even greater—we trust God because He has spoken.”

Lesson to Remember:

Faith trusts God because God is faithful, even when we cannot see what He is doing.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank You that I do not have to depend upon my own righteousness.

Thank You for Your grace and for the privilege of trusting Christ.

Forgive me for the times when I have depended too much upon myself.

Forgive me when fear has become stronger than my faith.

Help me trust You with my future.

Help me trust You with my family.

Help me trust You with my ministry.

Help me trust You with my work and business.

When I cannot understand what You are doing, help me remember who You are.

You are faithful.

You are wise.

You are powerful.

You are good.

Help me walk by faith and not by sight.

May my faith produce obedience, courage, love, patience, and faithfulness.

Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with people who need Jesus Christ.

May my life continually demonstrate that I trust in You.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Memory Verse

Romans 5:1 (KJV)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Today’s Prayer Focus

       Thank God for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

       Ask God to strengthen your faith.

       Pray for faith when facing difficult circumstances.

       Ask God to help you trust His Word rather than your feelings.

       Pray that your faith will produce obedience.

       Pray for someone who needs to hear the Gospel.

      Ask God for courage to share Christ with others.

BUSINESS FOR CHRIST

Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples

Tomorrow — Day 13

NOT BY WORKS

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
— Titus 3:5 (KJV)

Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα

Tō monō Theō doxa

To God Alone Be the Glory