Study on Faith – Introduction

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The just shall live by faith.

This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found in four places in Scripture.

  1. Habakkuk 2: 1-5
  2. Romans 2:17
  3. Galatians 3:10
  4. Hebrews 10:38

In the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk, we see the difference between the lives of the just and the unjust.  The unjust are puffed up – and live according to their own wills and self-sufficiency.  But the just on the other hand – live by faith.  Their confidence is only in God, not themselves.  To the just, faith is more than a world view or philosophy of life.  It is the very principle of life.

HABAKKUK 2:4

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The righteous shall live his entire life by faith.

  • He is saved by faith. 

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

  • He is kept by faith. 

1 Peter 1:5 – Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • He lives by faith. 

Gal. 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

The faith of the just shall be tried many times and in many ways – but will always be vindicated, because through Christ, faith is more than equal to any occasion.

1 Peter 1:7 – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. . .

Faith knows how to wait on the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Faith is always victorious.

1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Faith defies logic, and can move mountains.

Matt. 17: 14 – 21

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Faith never gives up.

Hebrews 11:32-39  

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

 WITH FAITH – WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY, THAT “GOD IS WORKING OUT HIS PERFECT WILL IN MY LIFE, AND I CAN WAIT – ENDURE – AND SUFFER!”   FAITH DOES NOT MAKE ANYTHING EASY – BUT IT DOES MAKE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE.  

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