The Just Shall Live by Faith
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 08/18/2024
Foundation Scripture:
Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV
1. Righteousness Revealed.
a. Romans 1:16 KJV –– For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
b. Salvation is only available through faith in Jesus Christ.
c. Acts 4:12 AMPC –– And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.
d. Faith is the absolute condition of salvation and is only effective in those who believe.
e. Romans 1:17 KJV –– For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
f. The righteousness of God is revealed through the Gospel on the grounds of faith—both springing from faith and leading to faith.
2. Saving Faith.
a. Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV –– For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
b. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
c. It is a free gift and cannot be earned.
d. We are His workmanship, created in Christ.
e. We are made a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
f. We are created—recreated—in His image (Col. 3:10).
g. And we live by faith, walking it out every day in our works.
3. Justified Through Faith.
a. Galatians 3:8-12 NKJV –– And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 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.”
b. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Gal. 3:6).
c. God’s promise is appropriated through faith, apart from circumcision and keeping the law.
d. Abraham was justified through faith, and so are we.
e. We are saved by faith, and we are to continue to walk and live according to our faith.
f. There is no going back—to the Law or to our own works.
g. We are not heirs of the flesh or the Law, but heirs of the Spirit and of the promise.
h. Operating under the Law brings a curse.
i. Operating by faith brings blessing, freedom and full salvation.
4. Living By Faith.
a. The just shall live by faith.
b. The just—those who are righteous, innocent, guiltless, upright, and virtuous.
c. Not because of any virtues of their own, but through faith in God, and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
d. Those who are washed in the Blood.
e. And who continue to keep God’s commandments and obey His laws.
f. And whose thoughts, words, and actions are conformed to His image and will.
g. Galatians 2:20 NKJV –– I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
5. Enduring Faith.
a. Hebrews 10:35-39 NKJV –– 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.
b. You are saved through faith in God’s Word and the Blood of Jesus.
c. Faith is the beginning, and the continuation, of justification.
d. We are saved by the power of God, through faith; and we are kept by the power of God, through faith.
e. Every promise of God WILL come to pass.
f. Do NOT cast away your confidence.
g. Have enduring faith.
h. Hebrews 12:1b-2a NKJV –– …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
i. Live by faith and do the will of God.
j. Do NOT draw back.
k. Those who draw back unto perdition (destruction) are at risk of losing their souls.
l. We walk by faith—not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
m. Keep standing and believing.
n. FIGHT the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).