397. Live by Faith
Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.
A person is declared just by faith in Christ. By that faith he shall live, be alive, and have eternal life. God declares us righteous (justifies) on account of Christ. We receive this justification by faith, and by that faith we live. Three connected promises are present here:
1) We shall be just, or righteous, by believing in Jesus and thereby receiving the imputed righteousness of God. This promise has already been fulfilled in history on earth with the death and resurrection of Christ. The effects and results of this fulfilled promise are presently active and effective in the lives of believers. We are always counted as righteous and we shall be so forever. We have been thoroughly transformed, losing our sin, guilt, condemnation, ungodliness and gaining righteousness, acquittal, forgiveness and godliness. Think how far we have come: from darkness to light, from death to life, from filth to purity, from utter sinfulness to perfect holiness.
2) We shall live, live fully and live forever by believing in Jesus and thereby passing from death to life. We were walking dead zombies; now we are enjoying life that never ends, a renewed life, born again to a lively hope. Think how far we have come: from hell to heaven, from eternal separation from God to union and connection with God, from a life that beats us down to a life that lifts us up. Only a believer who has experienced the new life understands the difference between existing on earth to really living in heaven on earth. It is so much better than not even knowing we are dead.
3)Faith is the instrument or means of receiving the gift of righteousness and eternal life, which faith is planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. We by our self cannot make a decision to believe in Jesus since we are dead in sins, weak in the flesh, and stupid in understanding, but the Spirit has used the Gospel to generate a living faith within the heart. By the gift of faith we are truly just and alive. Thank God for His unspeakable gift, the gift of faith!
Martin Luther was transformed, born again, when he read this promise quoted in Romans 1:17. The Spirit revealed it was by faith alone that he was justified, righteous, and right with God. No works or human efforts could be added to the saving faith worked by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. He said, “Heaven was opened to me.” We also may experience the same thing every day.