October
31, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10214915847105164
The
Scriptures declare, repeatedly, "The just shall live by faith."
Habakkuk
2:4 KJV — Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the
just shall live by his faith.
Romans
1:17 KJV — For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians
3:11 KJV — But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is
evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews
10:38 KJV — Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
"The
just shall live by faith" is evidently an indicative statement declaring a
fact about the just, i.e. the just shall live by faith. It is not a subjunctive
proposition how an unjustified (i.e. still in his native state of condemnation)
man can be justified. The latter is a common and popular view.
It
is like taking the indicative statement "whosoever eats has life" as
making a subjunctive proposition to the dead that if he eats, life will be
given to him.
Let's
make some inquiries about the indicative statement "the just shall live by
faith." I'm giving my answers; feel free to give yours to the questions.
1.
Who shall live by faith?
A.
The just.
2. Who are the just?
A.
Those formerly in their native state of condemnation but whom God has freely
justified, without them doing anything; they were incapable of any, being dead
in trespasses and sins.
3.
When were they freely justified by God?
A.
When God effectually called them out of their native state of sin and
condemnation to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ while they were in
their native state of death and condemnation, spiritually dead in trespasses
and sins.
-
In effectually calling them out of their native state of sin and condemnation
to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ, God freely justified them,
regenerated them, and adopted them. These three divine activities -
justification, regeneration, and adoption - in that number and logical order,
are necessary to bring the condemned, dead, and alienated sinner into the state
of righteousness, life and reconciliation, i.e. the state of grace and
salvation.
4.
Did their believing/faith play any role in their justification by God's free
grace?
A.
No, they were incapable of faith in their unjustified state. Faith is an effect
of justification; it is the just who shall live by faith; only the justified
are capable of believing and exercising faith.
5.
On what ground did the righteous God freely justify justly condemned sinners?
A.
The righteous God freely justified them solely on the ground of Christ's
righteousness accounted to them; the righteousness of His own provision through
His Son Jesus is the sole ground of God freely justifying condemned sinners..
6.
Why are the just able to believe?
A.
The justified are regenerated because the justification is the justification of
life.
Romans
5:18 "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to
condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all
men unto justification of life."
When
Christ's righteousness is accounted to a sinner personally in the justification
of life by the Father based on the righteousness of Christ Jesus, the Holy
Spirit regenerates the justified and works in him all saving graces, including
faith. Gal 5:22. This grace of faith worked in him enabling him to believe the
truth of the salvation ALREADY freely bestowed.
7.
What is it to live by faith?
A.
To live by faith is to receive and rest in Christ and His righteousness alone
for our acceptance with God, and walking in obedience to Him, not trusting in
our own works of righteousness.
Believing
the gospel of Christ, he EXPERIENCES the blessings of his justified state.
That's what Abraham experienced in Gen 15:1-6. Abraham was already justified by
God when God called him out of Ur way back in Gen 11.
These
are simple gospel truths to those not crippled by prejudices and soundbites
2Ti 2:7
Consider
what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
