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Living According to Faith
Introduction
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. God seeks those who will believe and trust Him. We want to explore some “facets” of faith in these lessons. According to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4, there is only one faith, but there are elements we might differentiate within that “one faith.” In these five lessons, we will explore a little bit about them.
The first part of the series will be short, discussing “believing” and what that means. The second part will explore saving faith. The third lesson will explore living according to faith, including how we operate daily and approach provision. The fourth lesson discusses trusting God, which can be difficult when things are unplanned. The fifth and final lesson explores faith as expressed in doing for the Kingdom of God; we demonstrate our faith when we work to glorify God.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
We find the phrase “the just shall live by faith” in several places in the Bible. The first one is in Habakkuk 2:4.
4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
The just person stands before the judgment seat, where the Judge says, “You are free to go.” In that one, no fault is found in him. God calls us to live by faith. It symbolizes being just so that we, too, are free to go.
As we have discussed, it is impossible to please God without faith. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). How do we live by faith in our day-to-day lives?
The second epistle to Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s last letter. Shortly after its composition, Nero executed Paul. Paul knew his time was short. The entire epistle is a good one to read to understand how to live this life of faith. It is written to a minister of the gospel, a bishop over one or more large churches, but the wisdom is helpful for all of us.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We mentioned before that our faith needs to be directed by God’s word. Our faith must be placed in and on Him, so adherence to His instructions ensures effectual faith. Reading and studying the Bible is a source of faith. It brings understanding, solace, and a deeper relationship with the Author.
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Close to the Body of Christ.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Be willing to grow spiritually.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Pray without ceasing (you have a new relationship now: maintain it).
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Walk in the Spirit: allow God to lead your steps
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.