“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”(Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
What Does the Bible Say About Faith?
The Bible says that the “just shall live by faith”. To be “just” is defined in both, the Old and New Testaments (tsaddiyq-in Hab. 2:4 and dikaios in Romans 1:17, Gal. 3:11, and Heb. 10:38) as righteous and holy. Therefore, we can affirm with certainty that the righteous man lives by faith.
Let’s review the 4 verses of the Bible that affirm that the “Just shall live by faith”:
- “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. “ (Habakkuk 2:4)
- “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)
- “ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Gal 3:11)
- “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Heb. 10:38)
A man or woman is righteous because they live by faith, this faith grows from one level of maturity to another and assists a righteous person in coming to a full revelation of the will and purposes of God.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”(Romans 8:12-15)
A person of faith knows that he will receive what God has promised in His Word. This righteous person has the conviction that God’s Word is true. He is fully convinced and persuaded of the truth (fullness) of the Word of God. He relies completely on the truth of the promises of God and lives with belief and assurance of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises to us. This faith is trust that God will meet all of our needs – in all circumstances. The Holy Spirit lives within each of us to lead us to think, live, pray, and speak according to God’s Word. Those who are led by the Spirit are the Children of God.
