Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Romans 3:3 ... Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Righteous comes by believing what God says. When we believe a scripture we enter into righteousness ... and because we believe that scripture works follow our belief.
But to try to do religious works to enter into righteousness will not work.
But to do works because you have a word from God by HIS Spirit and believe that Word and then do that which you hear, like Abraham the belief of the word will count for righteousness.
The disciples came to Jesus asking how they could do the works of God.
Jesus answered: This is the work of God, that ye believe on him (The Word) whom he hath sent. Jn. 6:29 The work of God for us is to believe that word sent by the Holy Spirit. And when we believe that word it will change us and we will do works which end up showing our belief.
Romans 4 ... He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
We give glory to God when we believe God will do what HE says HE will do.
This is seeing by faith ... We see because we have heard from God on the matter and we know God will perform that which HE says.
We can hear from God by scripture ... we can hear from God by dreams ... sometimes God just plants what HE will do inside our heart and we "just know".
In Matthew we see how Joseph heard from God and believed ... and because he believed what he heard was from God, Joseph acted immediately according to that word ...
Mt. 1 ... 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus:for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:and he called his name Jesus.
Here are two examples in Mt. 2.
Mt. 2 ... 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea:for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda:for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:15 And was there until the death of Herod:that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2 is filled with many examples of Joseph hearing from God and believing and then acting in a way appropriate with that word he has heard.
Believing the word is the foundation for faith.
I've heard people say, "My God would never do that." When I ask how they know, they often just say, "Because HE wouldn't." But they have no word just what they want to think and often their image of God is a very fleshly image and not real. We cannot build on that which we want to think. We can build on the Word.
Romans 10 ... 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Think of the recent word you have heard from God. That is truth.