Living By Faith

"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

The words "the just shall live by faith" are first seen in Habakkuk 2:4.  They are seen again in Romans 1:7; again in Hebrews 11 and here in Galatians. 

Martin Luther beat his body until it was blood soaked.  He crawled up stairs laiden with broken glass... on his knees!.  He fasted relentlessly.  All this in an effort to get close to God.  Nothing worked.  And then one day Luther read this verse -- and he understood that the Christian experience is not, "Do, do, do" -- it's "Done!"  Jesus did it all.  We must rid ourselves of the burden of trying to be spiritual.  Get rid of the notion that since you had morning devotions ten times in a row, God owes you a blessing.  Stop thinking that God will give you this or that as a result of the fact that you've read your Bible every day for the last month! It doesn't work that way.  You are justified by faith...  and faith alone.

You don't have to do morning devotions.  You don't have to pray or study the Word.  You don't have to attend church.

You don't have to do any of these things.  You get to.

You get to check in with God morning by morning, moment by moment.  You get to spend time late at night or before the sun rises, seeking the face of the Lord.  You get to fellowship with other believers at the church of your choice.  It's not got to, it's get to.  And that makes all the difference in the world, for once you're free from the "got to's," you will absolutely do more than you ever did before.

James said, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20) because true faith will always bring about lots of works.  The more I realize that He loves me by His grace and mercy being poured out upon me, the more I have no choice but to love Him in return.  So I do more under love than I ever would do under the law.

When you understand grace and mercy, you say, "You bless me Lord, when I don't pray.  You love me when I'm not lovable.  You take care of me when I fail to walk with You.  You're faithful to me day after week after year.  I want to find out more about you."  That's what it means for the just to live by faith.