The Just Live by His Faith

Luther came under conviction and then under the rule of this truth: Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith, Habakkuk 2:4.

 The Just – Romans 1:16-17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Shall Live – Galatians 3:10-11, For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

By Faith – Hebrews 10:38-39, Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. 

First, what is FAITH?  My acronym is:

FAITH:  F – Facts; A – Admit/Agree;  I – Internalize; T – Trust;  H – Herald it

Thus, FAITH begins with information that impacts the person’s thinking/beliefs and brings about a change in life that is notable to those around.

Faith in God saves!  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8.

Galatians 3:24-25, But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

Galatians 4:4-7, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 3:24, Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… 26, His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The first impact of “the just shall live by faith” is a transformation from slavery to liberty and an adoption by God into His family. One saved by FAITH gets a new life (from death, Ephesians 2:1), is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:20), is given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), is given sight from blindness (John 12:40) and now has an enlightened mind (Ephesians 4:18).  Someone saved by FAITH has a new life!!

And there is a second impact of the truth “the just shall live by his faith” which is that there is a new way of living day by day for the rest of life. “The just live by his Faith” is the call on followers to study to learn, meditate to grasp so to agree, make it personal, put it into action and live it out before God and man. [Truly saved is life changing which shows: James 2:18, someone will say,“You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.]

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, Ephesians 4:17

And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness, Ephesians 4:24.

And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, Colossians 3:10.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering… Colossians 3:12-17.

Those saved by FAITH – live by FAITH!  They daily look to God, trust in God, listen to God, worship God and seek to serve God: those saved LIVE BY FAITH!