the just shall live by his faith
Today we are going to look at the very heart of the Christian faith.
Don’t forget to visit us on the web: http://crosslifechurches.org/
This is a historical verse that brought light to a dark age and started what is now called the Reformation. This verse and the references to it in the New Testament form the foundation of our experience with God.
[KJV] [Habakkuk 2:4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
This verse is taken into The New Testament and used in three different places:
[KJV] [Romans 1:17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[KJV] [Galatians 3:11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
[KJV] [Hebrews 10:38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
The long and short of it is that it is impossible to please God without faith. This is plainly stated in the Word of God.
[KJV] [Hebrews 11:6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In fact the only way to walk in righteousness or to live a righteous life is to have faith. There is no other way. This is not an impossible because the Scripture clearly says that every single one of us has the measure of faith.
[KJV] [Romans 12:3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
This verse is often quoted as “a measure of faith” but the Word of God actually says ” THE measure of faith”. Jesus Christ is the light of every man who comes into the world.
[KJV] [John 1:9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
So deep within us all is the capacity to have the faith needed to believe that we can walk in righteousness. Our experience with God is based upon faith. Most people somehow think that righteousness starts off with us trying to obey but in actual fact it starts off with us having faith. Faith produces righteousness because the just shall live by faith. The just shall live by faith and not by any other means or methods.
We all have faith and faith must stir and arise.
[KJV] [Romans 10:17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith is enhanced from hearing the word of God. We all have the measure of faith within us and it rises up and becomes alive when watered by the Word of God.
It is a mistake to try to walk in righteousness by trying to obey God. Obedience becomes natural and easy as we flow in faith because without faith it is impossible to please God and without faith we cannot walk or live in righteousness.
I hope this small exhortation about the origins and the power of faith will bless you.
Don’t forget to visit us on the web: http://crosslifechurches.org/
Tags: faith Reformation just righteousness God Word justified
