“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4
“For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.‘ ” Romans 1:17
“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11
“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
Paul quotes the later portion of Habakkuk 2:4 three times in his writings to remind us that Believers are not only justified by faith but once justified live out the Christian life by faith, from faith to faith as Romans 1:17 puts it. The actual translation of the phase “the just shall live by faith” should better be translated “the one who is righteous by faith will live”. It is not from faith to works, as if works could preserve and maintain us, but it is from faith to faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 contrasts the difference between the Babylonians who were proud in their own strength with the righteous attitude of the faithful remnant of Israel who lived by faith. The word for faith here in the original carries the emphasis of integrity or the carrying out of official duty. We have no strength to live out a holy Christian life, our duty, when our best is filthy rages. Left to ourselves we will fail over and over. But our faith in God can empower us to live a consistent life of integrity/holiness, through His power.
Why are there so many weak and stumbling Christians? Because they are not living by faith. Many do not really believe a Christian can live a holy life but with the power of our faith in God we can. We must live from the faith that justifies us on to the faith that sanctifies us. Louie Giglio in his book “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” reminds us of three truths related to living a holy life. First, we are sinners saved by grace who are a new creation that does not have to sin. Second, we are in Christ, and Christ in us. Christ has all victory, and His victory is ours also. Third, God is always faithful and will provide a way out. We can always take the way out.
As Christians, let us not draw back into our own strength but rather live our life by faith.
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