Lesson 313 - Senior

Memory Verse

"Now the just shall live by faith:  but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him"  (Hebrews 10:38).

Cross References

I The Joys and Compensations of True Worship

1. The House of God, where the presence of God dwells, is, to the godly, the best place on earth, [PS:84:1-4]; [PS:23:6]; [PS:26:8]; [PS:27:4]; [PS:122:1]; [1CH:29:3]; [LUK:2:36-37]; [LUK:24:52-53].

2. Those who worship God in spirit and in truth are sustained through their whole life, [PS:84:5-8]; [PS:95:6-7]; [JHN:4:14], [JHN:4:23-24].

3. To be able to worship God unhindered is man's greatest privilege, [PS:84:9-12]; [DEU:12:5]; [PS:122:4]; [PS:65:4].

II Scriptural Definitions and Descriptions of Faith

1. Faith is not an intangible, merely theoretical formula or state of mind, but is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, [HEB:11:1-3]; [2CO:5:7]; [GAL:5:6].

2. Faith is necessary in order to please God and enter Heaven, [HEB:11:6]; [JAM:1:5-7]; [1TM:1:5]; [1JN:5:4]; [MAK:11:22]; [JHN:20:27]; [EPH:6:16]; [PHL:3:9-11].

3. Faith is capable of growth, [LUK:17:5]; [1TS:5:8]; [1TM:6:11-12]; [HEB:10:22].

4. Faith can be lost, [LUK:18:8]; [1TM:1:18-19].

5. Faith is received through spiritual reception of the Word of God, [ROM:10:17]; [JHN:20:31]; [2TM:3:15].

6. It is through faith that we receive all blessings from God, [MAT:8:13]; [MAT:9:29-30]; [MAT: 17:20]; [MAT:21:21]; [MAK:9:23].

III The Life of Faith

1. The life of faith in God leaves no room for sin or any work of the flesh, [HAB:2:4]; [ROM:14:23].

2. We not only start our Christian life through faith but go on by faith from step to step, [ROM:1:16-17]; [ROM:5:1]; [ROM:9:33]; [ROM:10:9]; [ISA:41:10]; [PRO:4:18]; [2CO:3:18].

3. Faith in God, and not the works of the Law, is our justification in the sight of God, [GAL:3:6-14]; [PHL:3:9]; [GEN:15:6]; [ACT:10:43]; [ACT:13:39].

4. Perseverance to the end is given through faith, [HEB:10:35-39]; [HEB:4:3]; [DEU:8:3]; [JHN:5:24]; [JHN:20:31]; [COL:1:21-23]; [JAM:2:5]

Notes

God has specially used a short passage of Scripture numerous times to bring salvation to men and women. This passage is recorded four times in Holy Writ, appearing the first time in a more complete form than in the succeeding three times. God spoke these words to the listening heart of Martin Luther, and, as a result, Luther was saved. John Wesley, also, heard them; and through a comprehension of the meaning of these few words he felt his "heart strangely warmed” by the witness of the Spirit to his salvation. These important words are: "The just shall live by faith,” or, as they are originally written, "The just shall live by his faith.” Let us consider them, their meaning, and their application to our lives.

It is obvious that, even though these words have been used by the Holy Spirit in leading men to the blessedness of forgiveness of sins, which experience we call justification by faith, a great deal of the message contained in them is directed to the just -– the already redeemed and pardoned individual. They are, as every portion of the Word of God is, life to those who seek life, and condemnation to those who prefer the ways of darkness. They contain a promise from Almighty God. They show an obligation that rests upon man. They prove that man can be made righteous and have faith. They give hope and comfort and point the way for men of God, of all callings and responsibilities, to know the will of God so each one can walk in the way that God has laid out for him. It is through the principle taught by these few words that the work for the Kingdom is carried on, maintained, directed, and planned. Here is a key to the whole of our operations for God and His cause.

Salvation by Faith

"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” [EPH:2:8]). In other words, the Scriptures tell us that salvation is a gift of God, and we receive it by grace through faith. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” [ROM:5:1]). "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” [ROM:4:3]; [GAL:3:6]; [GEN:15:6]). Paul the Apostle wrote: "I have suffered the loss of all things, . . . that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” [PHL:3:8-9]).

It is evident here that while these words of our lesson text are directed to saints, they also have an important message to sinners, for if one is to walk by faith he must first enter the life of faith; and, conversely, if one enters the life of faith he must then walk by faith.

Faith is all-important -– without it no one can please God [HEB:11:6]). Faith is all-important -– without it no one can be saved [HEB:11:6]; [JAM:1:5-7]). Faith is all-important -– without it we sin [2CO:5:7]). Faith is all-important -– without it we cannot overcome (I [JHN:5:4]). Faith is all-important -– without it we are unstable [2CH:20:20]). Faith is all-important -– we need it to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” [EPH:6:16]). Faith is all-important -– we need it "above all” the other items of spiritual armament [EPH:6:16]).

A sinner coming to God is forgiven of his sins, justified by God's free grace, regenerated by the Blood, and adopted into the family of God through divine mercy, "by grace . . . through faith.” None of these glorious provisions of God's salvation are performed for the penitent if he doubts God or fails to believe the divine promise concerning him. It is only through faith that we can actually come to God; and a certain measure of faith is included in every prayer directed to the Throne, for why would an individual pray to God if he did not have a certain measure of faith in God? "He that doubteth is damned” [ROM:14:23]), but whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have eternal life [JHN:3:15]). "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart . . . thou shalt be save” [ROM:10:9]).

The Just Person's Life One of Faith

Examining the original statement of our text, we find that it includes the personal pronoun "his.” Here a profound truth is suggested and taught. "The just shall live by faith,” to be sure, but it is important that that faith be "his.”

One might feel that he could lay claim to Christianity and godliness because of the righteousness of his parents or of those around him. He might base his eternal hope on a text separated from its context, such as: "The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband,” saying that righteousness is imputed to him because of the prayers of another. A child of Christian parents might seek to take refuge in a similarly isolated text: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” [ACT:16:31]), distorting its true message to mean that because his father or mother prayed for him he could never be lost. Some have felt that because of godly parents they will be saved eventually, no matter how rebelliously they act during their lifetime or how many times they turn the mercy of God aside. But this simple text of our lesson proves the error of all these contentions, for "the just shall live by his faith.”

We see by this that all must come to God, asking for forgiveness of sins, and receive the greater faith that comes through the exercise of the little faith that is originally present in the heart of a penitent sinner. If he is going to live by "his faith,” then it is obvious that he must have faith. If he is in a state of rebellion against God, he obviously doesn't have the faith that is necessary to live by, let alone die by. The faith that God requires of us is that faith which is present in our lives continuously, day after day, night after night.

The faith we must have is that faith which looks to God for guidance, because we have faith that He will lead us. The faith we must have is that faith which looks to God for our daily needs, because we have faith that He will take care of us. The faith we must have is that faith which looks to God for our spiritual nourishment, because we have faith that He will feed us from His Holy Word. The faith we must have is that faith which looks to God for our salvation and for our eternal hope, because we have faith that it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. The faith we must have is that faith which can be present in our very members, that assures us that these bodies will be quickened by the Holy Spirit so we will be able to meet our coming Lord and Saviour in the skies. That is the faith that we must have and the faith that we must live by.

During this brief lifetime there are thousands of times when it is imperative that we rely on our faith in God to carry us through. Paul wrote of tribulations, betrayals, and sufferings in body and soul, and we know that it would have been impossible for him to bear all these things if he had not had faith in God. But even though we may not have to suffer in the same way as he suffered, we still will have to walk by faith in God.

The child of God arises in the morning to take up his work of the day, not in the self-confidence that is common among unbelievers but in the trust that is a result of faith in God. The child of God asks God for guidance during the day, for strength to do the duties that are his that day, and for wisdom in all things so his life can be a blessing to many. He consecrates his life and his day to God. He asks security for those near and dear to him and invokes the blessing of God on every enterprise that is put forth to the honour and glory of God that day. He prays for those who are suffering in their bodies. He prays for the servants of God who are labouring for the cause of Christ. He commits his way to God. The child of God does all this because he has faith in God. He knows that he is praying to a God who hears and answers prayer.

How different is the life of a sinner! He does not live by even what faith may be his. He lives by his own wisdom -- a wisdom that is limited to his finite capacities. He lives by his own foresight -- a foresight that is limited to the knowledge gained from his own experience or what he knows of the experience of others. He lives by his own strength -- a strength originally given him through the goodness of God but which he tries to reinforce by man's skill. The sinner usually dedicates his life to his own immediate family circle; or, if he is one of those who look beyond their own fireside, he dedicates his life to the welfare of mankind in general. The security and benefits he gives to those under his influence or care are the things that he can buy or earn with the strength of his own hands or the sagacity of his own intellect. He has no eternal hope himself and no assuring words of comfort to give to another when that individual comes face to face with eternity. A sinner's life and activities are centred around this present existence and, for the most part, around those who are chosen by him to be his associates and companions.

The just man, on the contrary, goes from "strength to strength,” even through the valley of weeping. When trouble or adversity descends upon him, the just man puts his faith and confidence in God, sees God's delivering hand, and receives inwardly a deep, assuring blessing, even though a storm is breaking against his outward frame. The just man sees in the valley of weeping the God of love who always leads him to ultimate victory and fullness of joy. His strength is in God; therefore he is one of the blessed and happy ones. He will praise God even though trouble settles down upon him from all sides.

To go from "strength to strength” is a glorious experience in itself. The righteousness of God is revealed to us "from faith to faith.” These two expressions are closely connected, for if we would go from "strength to strength” we must have gone from "faith to faith.”

Let us consider the case of a newborn child of God who comes against his first opposition, which is, in actuality, a trail of his faith. When a child of God leans hard on God, while in the midst of trial, he sees his faith in God honoured and a victory accomplished. He is strengthened by the experience, for by exerting his faith in God he has received new strength from God. Before long, the child of God will undoubtedly face another crisis of some kind, perhaps along a different line than the former test or trial. Again he leans on God, with new willingness and increased faith, because he now has the knowledge that when he did it on the former occasion God was near to deliver him. Again God honours the faith and gives him the strength he needs.

The greater trial was the test of a greater faith, which, in turn, brought greater strength from God. He has gone from "faith to faith” and from "strength to strength.”

So it is all through the life of a Christian. Each trial fortifies the child of God and strengthens him for the difficulties, which are still to come; and when he looks to God for help, while in the heat of the furnace, he is strengthened and made more confident in God. The faith that was originally planted in his heart has increased and developed through the oppositions he faced and overcame through the love and mercy of God that has been manifested toward him.

A just man looks forward with confidence, with faith in God, to the crises that he knows must come to him in order that his faith may be tried. In this he lives "by his faith.” His prayer and assurance is: "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”; and "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” Here, also, he is living "by his faith.” When he looks back at the victories and accomplishments that are behind him, he takes no credit for even a single one, but, rather, says to himself: "What has thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

[1CO:4:7]). He knows the One who is entitled to the glory and he knows how the victories and accomplishments were received from that One.

Knowing the Will of God by the Exercise of Faith

There are many avenues of blessing and Christian experience that are unexplored by us. There are heights and depths that we, individually, have not scaled or sounded. We must "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” [JUD:1:3]). One may have reached a certain goal while another person may have climbed to another goal. But we all need to make continuous progress in God if we are to be "perfect and entire, wanting nothing” [JAM:1:4]). Sadly, we can see that there are many who have not begun to test the goodness and love of God and to know how vitally interested He is in us, in all that we do or are for Him.

The highest ideal that a godly person has is that he might be in the perfect will of God. To be in the centre of God's will is a godly person's utmost desire. How can he know the perfect will of God and be able to walk in it once he knows it? The answer is found in our short text: "The just shall live by his faith.”

In the first place, we must realize that the God who notes the fall of the sparrow, who numbers the hairs of our heads, and who is mindful of our every need, is vitally and personally interested in us. We must realize that He loves us. We must realize that He is concerned about us, regarding every incident and occasion that comes to our life. If we really believe that, we can boldly come to Him for help, for guidance, for strength, or for any other thing we may need. He has promised that He will grant our every request, if it is in accord with His will. Here, then, is a way to find the will of God. If we have the faith in God that allows us to step boldly out on His promise, sincerely and fully meeting the conditions He has set forth as obligatory to us, we can have the confidence that the result will be His will for us.

If we feel that God has given us a work to do, we can test that call by the provision He makes for carrying it out. Godly men and women of the past have dared to step out in faith many times, to see God carry them through and provide for their every need. If God wants us to speak, He has promised to give us the wisdom we need. If He wants us to go, He will provide the way and means for us to go. If He wants us to endure, He will give us grace to do so. This is our faith! This is our confidence! This is our trust! We live by that faith. If we cannot do that, we actually have nothing upon which we can depend.

Oh, how great is the mercy and love of God! How wonderful is His great plan for us all! How simple that plan is and how opposite to the spirit of the world and of the age! Though it is beyond our comprehension, still it is attainable. It is a life of simple trust in God – a life of faith. It is obligatory upon all who bear the name of Christ, for "the just shall live by his faith.”

Questions

1. Look up the four times that the words, "The just shall live by faith,” are written in the Bible. Read the verses that precede and succeed each quotation.

2. What is the meaning of going "from strength to strength”?

3. How is going "from faith to faith” connected with "from strength to strength”?

4. What does the Psalmist say about service in the House of God as compared with the life of sinners?

5. Memorize [PS:84:11].

6. How is [LUK:2:36-38] a fulfilment of Psalm 84?

7. What two very prominent men in the Church were saved through this text?

8. Give the Scriptural definition of faith.

9. Explain why faith is necessary, quoting Scripture passages to support your statements.

10. How can we determine the will of God through the life of faith?