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THE
JUST “SHALL” LIVE BY FAITH
“…Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him…” (Hebrews 10:38 KJV).
“…Behold, his soul which is lifted up is
not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB).
*
Part 2 of the side effect of FAITH focuses
on the fact that the just or the righteous person will live a lifestyle
empowered by indwelling faith. “…Now the just shall live
by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure
in him…” (Hebrews 10:38 KJV).
Indwelling faith
relies, depends, and responds to the Word of God. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by THE WORD
of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…thy WORD is truth” (JOHN
17:17 KJV).
The ability to develop
ones “measure of faith” is dependent
on HEARING God’s WORD (Romans 12:3). God “…dealt to every man (believer) THE
MEASURE OF FAITH...” (Romans 12:3 KJV).
The ability to be EMPOWERED by indwelling faith is also
dependent on the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. “…It is God
who works IN YOU to will and TO
ACT…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…I can do
all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians
4:13 KJV). “….Apart
from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]…, YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…May … God…EQUIP YOU with everything good for doing his
will, and may he WORK IN US what
is pleasing to him, THROUGH Jesus Christ,,,”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
The one who HEARS God’s
Word is the one EMPOWERED by faith through the indwelling Holy Spirit. They will
enjoy the blessings that a faith-filled life offers and promises. “…It shall be done to you according to YOUR FAITH…"
(Matthew 9:29 NASB). “…Jesus
asked them, “Do you believe
(receive, accept, etc;) I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we
do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of YOUR
FAITH, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!...”(Matthew 9:28-30 NLT).
God gave his children indwelling faith as an assurance of things they will hope for and as proof before
they ever see it manifested. “…Now FAITH IS
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Indwelling faith assures
the believer that God will do EVERYTHING he promised he would do and even
beyond what they ask or think. God
says, I “…am watching over MY WORD TO PERFORM IT…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). God is able “… TO DO far more abundantly BEYOND all that we ask or think, ACCORDING TO “THE POWER” THAT WORKS WITHIN US…”
(Ephesians 3:20 NASB).
Indwelling faith teaches
the believer that understanding God’s ways and methods are not as important as
simply accepting his sovereignty and authority. “…his
ways [are]… past finding out…” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV). Therefore,
“Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart; and LEAN NOT unto
thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
“…eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither have entered into [the human]… heart … the things which God hath prepared for [them]....” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).
Indwelling faith teaches
the believer that ALL of God’s benevolent blessings are a sign and expression
of his love, which emanates from this divine nature. “…Faith which worketh
by love…” (Galatians 5:6 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1
John 4:4-8 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God’s Spirit
dwells in
you?...”
(1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). “…It is God who works IN YOU …” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
In relationships, out
of love, people desire to be loving, kind, and pleasing to each other. Jesus
said, “…he that sent me is with me: the
Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that PLEASE HIM…”
(John 8:29 KJV). “…a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well PLEASED…” (Matthew 3:17 KJV).
Walking in faith
pleases God, not so much for himself as for the people he loves divinely. “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…What
is important is faith expressing itself in love…” (Galatians 5:6 NLT).
It pleases God when his
people live by faith and walk by faith, regardless of their own knowledge, emotions, and
understanding of situations and circumstances. “…live by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7
KJV). “…walk by faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “Trust in the Lord …lean NOT unto
thine own understanding…”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
Noah spent 120 years
preaching to others, empowered to live and to walk by faith before the
flood ever arrived. “…My spirit shall not always
strive with man …his days shall be an hundred and twenty years…”
(Genesis 6:3 KJV). “…BY
HIS FAITH
Noah CONDEMNED
THE REST OF THE WORLD…” (Hebrews
11 NLT). “…It was
BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood...” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
Abraham was willing to
sacrifice Isaac even though he was the promised gateway for other descendants. “…And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said
unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and
thee…” (Genesis
17 KJV). “…And
I will make of
thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great;
and thou shalt be a blessing. …And in thee SHALL ALL FAMILIES of the earth be
blessed…”
(Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
“…It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a
sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises,
was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told
him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back
to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead…”
(Hebrews 11 NLT)
The Hebrew boys allowed
themselves to be thrown into the fire even though they were not sure if God
would rescue them, but they KNEW he could. “…Therefore because the king's commandment
was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those
men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these
three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of
the burning fiery furnace…“…Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished,
and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, DID NOT WE CAST
THREE MEN BOUND INTO THE MIDST OF THE FIRE? They answered and said unto
the king, True, O king. He answered and said, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE,
AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD...”
(DANIEL 3). “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will
keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
Ezekiel spoke to the
very dry bones even though he was uncertain if they could live again or not,
but he was certain God KNEW. “…. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me,
“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
….So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying,
there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I
looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there
was no breath in them. …breath entered them; they came to life and
stood up on their feet—a vast army. ….Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV).
What is the message of
their behavior? “…The just shall LIVE BY FAITH: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him…” (Hebrews 10:38 KJV). “…Behold, his soul which is
lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall LIVE BY “HIS” FAITH…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…But that no man is justified
by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall LIVE BY FAITH…”
(Galatians 3:11 KJV). “…For therein is
the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall LIVE
BY FAITH…” (Romans 1:17 KJV).
Who are the “just?” The just/righteous are
those who have been redeemed, justified, pardoned of their sins, have repented,
and obtained salvation through Christ Jesus. “…God has
shown us a way to be MADE RIGHT with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the
writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are MADE RIGHT with God by placing our faith
in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no
matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious
standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely MAKES US RIGHT in his sight.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our
sins. For God presented Jesus as the
sacrifice for sin. People are MADE RIGHT with God when they believe that Jesus
sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. ….HE MAKES SINNERS RIGHT in his sight when they believe in Jesus…”
(Romans 3:21-26 NLT).
The just/righteous are
new creations in Christ Jesus. “..Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW
CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THING ARE BECOME NEW…”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness…” (Ephesians 4:2 KJV). “….NOT
having a righteousness of my own …[other than]…that which is through
faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…”
(Philippians 3:9 NASB).
The just “shall…” The word shall
implies the just will “want to” or “be motivated to,” or “are driven to,” or “are
determined to.” “Shall” is used
because of WHO is within the Believer. “…If the Lord will, [YOU]
SHALL LIVE, and DO this, or that...”
(James 4:16 KJV). “…My counsel (WORD)…
SHALL stand, and I will do all my pleasure…” (Isaiah 46:10 KJV).
“Shall” means WILL!!! It doesn’t say
the just might live by faith, but
that they SHALL.
James 5:15 says GOD
“...SHALL save the sick…” and “…the Lord SHALL raise him up...” In this verse it advocates for God’s Sovereignty
in his ability to manifest his POWER through the Holy Spirit. God “…does
whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “…He does as he pleases with
…the PEOPLES of the earth.
NO ONE can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have
you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “…I WILL DO “ALL” MY
PLEASURE…”
(Isaiah 46:10 KJV).
The just shall “live…” Live implies a living or a lifestyle
where a person’s routine ways of life (thinking, speaking, acting, etc;) or
convictions are consistent through the days, weeks, months, or years. “…The just shall LIVE BY “HIS” FAITH…” (Habakkuk
2:4 NASB). “…Ye shall know them
by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians
5:22-23 KJV)."…My Father is
glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
The just shall live by... “By” highlights the idea of method
or mode in which one travels. The word “by” imply “by way of” or “through” or
“via” or “by means of.” “…The just shall LIVE “BY”
FAITH: …” (Hebrews
10:38 KJV). “…The just shall LIVE BY “HIS” FAITH…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB).
“…The just shall LIVE BY FAITH…”
(Galatians 3:11 KJV). “…The just shall LIVE
BY FAITH…” (Romans 1:17 KJV). Faith meaning an INWARD reliance
upon, hope in, trust in, dependence upon, or enablement of, obedience to, or
empowerment of the INDWELLING Holy Spirit. “…I
will put a NEW SPIRIT in you…”
(Ezekiel 36:26 NLT).
“…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (The WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). Therefore,
“…Examine yourself, whether
ye be in the FAITH; PROVE
your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2
Corinthians 13:5 KJV)
The believer or the
true follower of Christ’s whole lifestyle is empowered by indwelling faith. “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ [dwells] in your hearts by faith
…” (Ephesians 3:17 KJV).
Since indwelling faith
comes from HEARING the word; ultimately, the just, the righteous, or the believer
is driven or fueled by truth. God’s word is truth or fuel. “…thy WORD is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV “…the WORD (Jesus) was made flesh...”
(JOHN 1:14). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2
Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell]s]… in
you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…Christ liveth in me…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
“…It is God who
works IN YOU to will and TO ACT…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…[You]… can do all
things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians
4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [Jesus]…YOU
CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…May
… God…EQUIP YOU with everything good for
doing his will, and may he WORK IN US what is pleasing to him, THROUGH Jesus Christ,,,”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
By grace through faith
is the believer saved. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of
WORKS, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
By grace through faith
is salvation obtained, sustained and maintained. “…BY
GRACE have ye been SAVED THROUGH FAITH…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…Looking
unto Jesus the AUTHOR
(originator) and FINISHER (sustainer) OF OUR FAITH…” (Hebrews
12:2a KJV). “…Being confident of
this very thing, that HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT
until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “…The LORD “WILL” PERFECT (mature, develop, etc) that which concerneth [you]…”
(Psalms 138:8 KJV). “…HE “WILL” KEEP
(sustain) YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).
By grace through faith
is eternal life also obtained. “…And being made perfect, “HE” BECAME the
author of eternal salvation unto ALL them that obey him…”
(Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).
Every single spiritual
gift comes from and ORIGINATES from God, especially the Holy Spirit. “…You will receive THE GIFT of the Holy Spirit….”
(Acts 2:38 NASB). . “…By grace ye been saved THROUGH FAITH …it is THE GIFT of
God …”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…To them that have OBTAINED
….precious FAITH with us through …our
Saviour Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 1:1
KJV). “…Unto you it is GIVEN …. to believe on him..” (Philippians 1:29 KJV). “…THE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 6:23 KJV).
“…Every good GIFT and every
perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that
which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). “…A man can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…”
(John 3:27 KJV). Therefore, “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is
from God, why
boast as though it were not a gift?...”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…EVERY good GIFT and EVERY
perfect GIFT is from above…” (James 1:17 KJV).
“…The just
shall LIVE “BY” FAITH: …”
(Hebrews 10:38 KJV). “…The just shall LIVE BY “HIS” FAITH…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). What is indwelling faith meant to do?
“…Direct your hearts
TO the love of God…” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB). “…May the Lord (by indwelling faith) lead your hearts INTO a full
understanding and EXPRESSION of the love of God and the patient
endurance that comes from Christ…” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT).
“…The just shall LIVE
BY “HIS” FAITH…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). Living by faith is not about following rules and
regulations, being moral through self-effort, or doing a bunch of church or
religious duties.
“…Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity…”
(Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).
Divine faith is about
empowering you to accept and receive the LOVE of God through the indwelling
Holy Spirit. “…I WILL supply all your NEED…”
(John 12:32 & Philippians 4:19 KJV). Indwelling faith enables
God to EXPRESS the GREATNESS of his LOVE toward you. “…There is NO GREATER LOVE than to lay down one’s life…”
(John 15:13 NLT).
“…Faith which worketh by love…” (Galatians 5:6 KJV).
Indwelling FAITH enables God to personally
express his love you. Do you receive the following expressions of God’s love?
I WILL PUT my laws in your mind so you will
understand them.
I WILL WRITE them on your heart so you will obey them (Hebrews 8:10).
I WILL WORK in you to will and to do the
things that please me (Philippians 2:13).
I WILL REVEAL to you what is the correct
attitude to have (Philippians 3:15).
I WILL INSTRUCT and TEACH you the way you
should go. Your steps will be ordered by me (Psalm 32:8, 37:23).
I WILL COUNSEL you with my eyes upon you
(Psalm 32:8).
I WILL lead you in ways you have never
known. I WILL personally GUIDE you (Isaiah
42:16).
I WILL TURN the dark situations and
circumstances you are facing into light (Isaiah 42:16).
I WILL TURN all the rough places into
level ground (Isaiah 42:16).
I WILL DO these things by completely
taking care of everything that concerns you and I WILL NOT FORSAKE you ( Psalms
32:8 & Isaiah 42:16).
I WILL never fail you nor forsake you
(Hebrew 13:5).
I AM WITH you always (Matthew 28:20).
I WILL NEVER change (Malachi 3:6).
I LOVE YOU with an everlasting love
(Jeremiah 31:3).
I LOVE YOU with a love that never ceases
(Lamentations 3:21-24).
I LOVE YOU with a committed love (Lam
3:21-24).
I WILL SHOW you MERCY that never ends and
is renewed every day (Lam 3:21-24).
I AM FAITHFUL to you. My very name is
FAITHFUL (Deuteronomy 7:9; Revelation 19:11).
I KNOW you better than anyone else (Psalm
139).
I WILL DELIVER YOU (Daniel 3:8-30).
I WILL PROTECT YOU (Daniel 3:8-30.)
I WILL SHIELD YOU (Daniel 3:8-30).
I, the FAITHFUL one, CALLED you
(Thessalonians 5:24).
I STRENGTHEN you with power (Philippians
4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
I WILL FILL your weakness with my strength
(2 Corinthians 12:10).
I WILL MAKE you sufficient for whatever
task I’ve given you (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I WILL NOT CONDEMN you (1 Thessalonians
1:10; Romans 8:1)
I WILL GIVE you FAITH. Therefore, I
have ASSIGNED you a measure (quantity, portion) of divine faith (Romans 12:3).
I have CHOSEN you to be a rare and unique
people for myself (Deuteronomy 14:2).
I have CHOSEN you to love and bear my
fruit. (John 15:16). “…Herein is love, not that we
loved God,
but that HE
LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “We love,
because HE FIRST
LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “For God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…”
(John 3:16). God “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but delivered
him up FOR US
ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV).
Indwelling faith, therefore, is an expression
of God’s love. Through indwelling faith, “… the Lord your
God, …teaches
you what is best for you, [and]…directs you in the way you
should go.” (Isaiah 48:17). “Thus says the Lord that delivered you, the Holy
One of Israel; I am your God, I have
shown you how you should find the way in which you should walk…”
(Isaiah 48:17).
“I will instruct you and guide you in the way
you should go; I will fix My eyes upon You…” (Psalm 32:8).
“…The just shall LIVE
BY “HIS” FAITH…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). AND thus, “…may the Lord DIRECT [your]… hearts TO the love of God ...”
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB).
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