Young Adults' Group

“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

by Pastor Mark
May 20, 2016

From faith to faith

Over the first half of this year at YAG, we have been learning about the faith of the Old Testament heroes. They have been great examples of faith for us to emulate. It is the same kind of faith that we are meant to cultivate and apply.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the brethren in Rome about faith, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:17) The phrase “from faith to faith” is most significant. It reveals to us how the righteousness of God has been revealed. The first word “faith” could be seen as a reference to the Old Testament while the second word “faith”…to the New Testament. The word “from” in Greek is “ek” which means “out of”. The word “to” in Greek is “eis” which means “into”. This righteousness has been described as of one faith…the faith of the Old Testament into the faith of the New Testament. Let us rejoice that we have the same faith as the heroes of old.

The just shall live by faith

“As it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:17)

Paul cited a statement from the prophet Habakkuk, “But the just shall live by faith.” Hab 2:4) Habakkuk wrote about those who were proud and who were not upright in their soul. God would deal with them at the appointed time. But for those who have faith and have been justified by God, they should live by faith.

The Apostle Paul made reference to this prophetic word. The righteousness of God is not just a reference to imputed righteousness…the righteousness that we receive when we believe in the Lord Jesus, are forgiven of our sins and declared righteous before God.

It also has to do with our personal righteousness in life. And it is by faith that we are meant to live. The word “by” in Greek is the word “ek” which is “out of”. What did Paul mean when he said that the just shall live out of faith? He gives us a clearer explanation in his letter to the Philippians.

A righteousness that is based on faith

“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.” (Phil 3:9)

Paul wrote that he wanted to be found in the Lord Jesus. It is about living a life of righteousness. Paul used to live a life of righteousness that was from (ek…out of) the law. But that kind of legalistic righteousness did not help him in any way.

He now sought a righteousness that was through faith in Christ. It was a righteous that came from (ek…out of) God. The word “by” in Greek is ‘epi” which means “upon”. This was a personal righteousness that was based on faith. The righteousness of God is based on faith and comes out of faith…not out of the law.

The challenge to cultivate personal righteousness in our life

How can we live our life righteously in the midst of a sinful and wicked world…whether at work or among those who are of the world? Let us be challenged to live by faith…to live a just life that is based on and out of our faith. Let us be challenged to live out our faith in real life and not something that is theoretical. Let us make our faith truly personal in our life.

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