Living by Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. (NKJ)

What does it mean to live by faith? To try and live any other way is dying. 
Too often, we mentally downplay our position as a Christian. We see ourselves as ‘just an old sinner, saved by grace!’ Yes, that is where we all began, but that is certainly not who we are. You cannot even attempt to live by faith if you don’t believe you are just or righteous.

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (NKJ)

Romans 5:1-5 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. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJ)

We cannot establish our own righteousness by our own works. Our righteousness comes only by faith in Him.

Romans 10:3-4 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (NKJ)

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our (self) righteousness (acts) are like filthy rags; (NKJ)

Philippians 3:9 … and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; (NKJ)

Faith is not something you drum up in your mind nor is it following a bunch of legalistic rules. It is a knowing in your heart that Jesus has the answers to your problems.

Galatians 3:9-14 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. 10 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.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (NKJ)

What’s the difference between works of the law and obedience to Scripture? Works are our ability to do something. Faith is believing that God’s ability has already done everything we need. So, we obey His Word by trusting it rather than trying to preform it, make it happen, or talking God into doing what we want.
Although we are delivered from the curse, that doesn’t mean the devil is going to quit and give up. He is going to present real challenges to our faith. One of the biggest is, looking at our circumstances instead of the Word. Are we going to believe what we see or believe what we read?

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJ)

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (NKJ)

Times will come when you must stand on the Word of God regardless of how things look or feel.

2 Tinothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)

Hebrews 10:35-39 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (NKJ) (Perdition = Greek = causing someone or something to be completely severed – cut off from what could or should have been.)

Your faith has absolutely nothing to do with your feelings. It has to do with what you believe in spite of your feelings.

John 16:33 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJ)

1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (NKJ)

You are an overcomer. You can overcome your fears, doubts, feelings, or the way things appear. Trust His Word by putting it into action because you believe. That’s true living!