If we would live by faith we must have a clear goal. The goal of the saint is eternal life in the Presence of God. It is the possessing of Christ—to be found in Him.
To attain the righteousness that is of God by faith we always must be pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ." The moment we draw back from the single-minded, intense pursuit of Christ, God has no pleasure in us.
We have not reached our goal until it is no longer we who are living but Christ who is living in us.
The righteous live by faith. The faith that brings the approval of God is made up of the several factors we have mentioned: living in terms of what is invisible; adopting the way of the saints of all ages; recognizing the hand of God in the physical universe; serving God because of our love for Him; walking with God; having Him in all our thoughts; acknowledging the existence of God and recognizing that the pursuit of God is the most worthwhile and rewarding of the opportunities available to people; fearing God; practicing stern, diligent obedience to the revealed will of God; being willing to obey when one does not understand what is taking place; making our goal the knowledge and possession of Christ; plus patience, courage, and all the other attitudes and actions demonstrated in the lives of the people who are included in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews.
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)
Love, hope, trust, courage, and patience are important components of faith. Of special value in the sight of God is our readiness to rejoice in His promise to us before it has been fulfilled—while we yet are in His prison.
The heart of man is so wicked that he always can find a way to use the Divine covenant to thwart God's fatherly intention.
So it is today as teachers of the Scriptures are using "the just shall live by faith" to mean we no longer are required to serve the Lord.
No human being, from the time of Abel to the present hour, has pleased God except through faith. The Scriptures are a record of the individuals who managed to see past the letter of the covenant of their day and come to the understanding that to love and obey the living God is greater than all burnt offerings, observance of statutes, and professions of belief.
(Concluded)
YOUR COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY WELCOME.
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