Chapter Five

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Many Christians think that being justified by faith and living by faith are the same thing. Not So. We are justified (declared righteous) by faith the very moment we exercise saving faith in Christ. After we have been justified by an act of faith, we are to learn to live in a constant attitude of faith. The words "the just shall live by faith" are found in the Bible four times: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38.

What brings a person to the place where he is justified by faith? A person is justified by faith when he comes to the end of his own resources. When he has tried everything else and failed, he turns to Christ. He tried joining the church; he tried to live right; he does good works; he is baptized; he tries keeping the law, he then tries to live by the "golden rule, " but none of these things give him peace of mind. He hears the Gospel of the grace of God and in desperation he turns to Christ. He "sees" that Christ died on the Cross for all of his sins; he believes that Christ was raised from the dead for his justification (Rom. 4:25), and in that split second of time, God declares him to be righteous. He has made his peace with God (Rom. 5:1), and he has the peace of God in his heart.

When does a person, who is a Christian, begin to "live by faith"? We begin to live by faith when we discover it is utterly impossible to live the Christian life in our own strength. We read our Bible every day; we try to pray; we go to church; we put on an insipid smile; we try to help others, but all to no avail. We may live this kind of "Christian" life for 10 or 15 years, but all the while being "filled" with emptiness. Yes, we are saved and we will go to heaven when we die, but we will not experience God's joy and power in this life.

In desperation we turn from all self effort and look to Christ, but not to Christ on the Cross, but to the living glorified Christ, and invite Him to be Lord of our life. We invite Him to live His life through us, and for the first time we begin to live the Christian life. This is what it means to "live by faith." We keep our eyes "fixed, focused" on Christ. "... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:1,2).

Many good books have been written on this subject. In this chapter I have sought to present the truth to you in "nut-shell" form.