The Righteous Shall Live By Faith

A Bible Study by
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin

Hab. 2:4; 3:17-19 • Paul is quoting Habakkuk in saying, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is power…for in it the righteousness of God is revealed; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’" (Rom1:16,17)

The apostles built upon the writings of the prophets. It is important to understand this link between prophets & the completed gospel. Our salvation and our walk of faith is an issue of God’s faithfulness to His Word. This is what is meant by, ‘the righteous man shall live by faith.’

1. Hab. 2:4 is quoted three times in the New Testament.

1. Cf. Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38. The walk of faith is a single issue.
2. It is never an issue of faith in faith. It is never an issue of feelings. It is always an issue of God’s Word.

2. When a man believes, faith becomes a living reality.

1. Cf. Abraham. Cf. Gen. 15:4-6 • What was Abraham believed in?
2. When God & His Word become one, that is when faith fills the heart.
3. "So faith comes from hearing, & hearing by…" [Dia; the channel of; through, or because of.]

3. The Word of God is the channel which faith flows. Faith is what takes place:

1. Therefore the faith of a righteous man rests upon a special message.
2. Our faith is an out-walking of the message of our redemption in Christ.
3. How are righteous men to live? "Though the fig tree should not… no fruit…" • (Hab. 3:17) Cf. 2 Peter 1:1; Hebrews 12:13-16

• Saints live under regime of faith. What did Paul tell the Philippian jailer?

 

1. Every child of God has salvation faith.

1. Our faith enlarges itself as the truths of God unfold. This is why we need to understand the relationship between Christ and the Scriptures.
2. Cf. 2 Tim. 3:14-17 • Not telling Timothy to keep studying until he gets saved. Timothy is a pastor. The Scriptures will make you wise in the ways of the Lord and in the paths of salvation.

2. When Jesus came into the world:

1. He reinforced everything the prophets had said. (Why such a stress on OT?)
2. The entire Bible is a living word to the child of God. Our salvation rests upon the ancient promises.
3. Paul spoke of the mystery of the olive tree. Cf. Romans 11:17,18

3. Believers are grafted into a conscious relationship with God’s work from ancient time. Note vss17³; 18³

1. The root refers to God forming a people through Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob.
2. There is a sense in which you draw directly from the experiences of OT saints. This is a work of the Holy Spirit.
3. When God speaks a promise to Jeremiah, it is as though He speaks to you. Result? Enlargement of faith. Cf. Jer. 1:4-8; 2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Pet. 1:2-4

1. Where we need to understand what is meant by the term "the word of faith." Habakkuk spoke the Word of faith.

1. "Though the fig tree should not blossom...Lord God is my strength.. He makes my feet.."
2. The word of faith is crucial part of faith walk. How do we overcome Satan? "..by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."
3. The word of faith begins with our confession of Jesus as our Lord. Cf. Rom. 10:6-11. It then becomes the presiding element of victory in our lives.

2. The word of faith did not originate in the new covenant. Adam could have spoke it. Let’s see where Paul is drawing from.

1. Cf. Deut. 30:6,9,11-15 • The word of faith is the greatest weapon a child of God has against the enemy.
2. What did Paul tell Timothy? To study Scripture, "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for??"

3. How do we know God keeps His promise?

1. Righteous people have the Lord in their lives. The witness bearer? ot the Holy Spirit was called Ruach HaKodesh.
2. Ancient sages called Ruach haKodesh the spirit of Messiah. God says He will make us know His words.
3. So now the great question that determines where you are in faith.

• Lord say to Sarah when she laughed? "Why did Sarah laugh?" "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"

Conc. The question directed to Sarah is the one question we need to seriously consider in every part of our faith walk.

What did the Hebrew children tell the king of Babylon? "God can deliver us, He will deliver us out of your hands, not bow down."

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