LIVING FAITH (1)

“Now the just shall LIVE by FAITH; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” – Hebrews 10:38

The Faith of the Bible, God’s kind of Faith, is LIVING FAITH – the Faith by which the Just lives: “Now the just shall LIVE by FAITH; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb.10:38). No Faith; no Life! Without Faith, the Just may be sliding away from Life, death-ward! The Heart of God “has no pleasure” in anyone who draws back from living by Faith: “But without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that He is...” (Heb.11:6). It takes Faith to please God, because Faith is God’s Lifestyle – His Attitude and Way of Life. God lives by Faith!

We who believe in Christ Jesus are saved by grace through Faith (Eph.2: 8-9). Now, we’re no longer to live by the dictates of the world, the flesh or our senses, but by Faith. God expects us to live to please Him; to live as He lives – by Faith! The Life being referred to here transcends biological or physical living. God has given us Eternal Life in Christ, and this can be lived only by Faith! Although the mention of the word ‘Faith’ often brings to mind images of the great and powerful – fiery prophets, dynamic apostles, courageous martyrs, and exceptional followers of Christ across the ages – every Believer is ordained to live by Faith! Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded: “Have Faith in God” (Mk.11:12). Faith is not a mere suggestion or an option for the Believer.

Faith refers to heartfelt Belief shown through corresponding Behaviour. Faith in God means believing in Him and in His words even though we cannot physically see Him. It infers accepting God’s principles, words, and instructions – believing in and doing what He wants. We have seen in earlier devotionals, examples of Believers who by faith, walked with God, served Him, received answers to prayers, triumphed over adversity, and did amazing exploits (Hebrews 11). These were recorded for our learning: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom.15:4).

A major model Abraham, became God’s friend by Faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God” (Jam.2:23b). At age seventy-five, when he would have liked to comfortably live out his days in Mesopotamia with home and family, God instructed him to pull up his roots and migrate to an unfamiliar territory, the land of Canaan. Although Abraham and his wife were childless, God promised to greatly multiply their descendants. He believed and obeyed! His Living Faith is summarized by the words, “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him...” (Gen.12:4; Heb.11:8).

After the promised son, Isaac, was born, God put Abraham’s Faith to test, instructing that he takes his beloved son to a designated place and there offer him as a sacrifice (Gen.22: 1-12). God had promised Abraham innumerable descendants through Isaac. No matter the contrary manifestations, he believed this promise! He may not have understood how God would work it all out, but he trusted that God knew what was best, that He was in complete control, and if necessary to fulfil His word, could raise Isaac from the dead or provide a substitute (Heb.11:19). He knew that God lives and speaks Faith: “gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Rom.4:17). He named the place, “The Lord will provide” (Gen.22:14).

In every trial and peril, before every challenge and obstacle, the promise that God will provide is the assurance on which Faith thrives and triumphs. Therefore, we do not cast away our confidence “which has great reward” (v.35). Nothing will debar God or stand in His way from doing what He wants to do at His appointed time. Life is truly fulfilling when Faith is in place. In the face of trials, Faith offers freedom from the shackles of doubt, fear, and worry and brings strength and wisdom to receive God’s promises.