Are You Living By Faith?

   Galatians 3:10-11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

   Most believers understand that we are save by grace through faith, and it was never about our works (see Ephesian 2:8-10). We were and are justified by faith, but living by faith goes further than just accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. In fact, an argument could be made that if a person legitimately did receive Him, he or she would be living by faith. As Jesus said, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them” (Luke 6:46-47).

   Faith requires hearing, which means one must be in relationship with God to live by faith. As we know, Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). In short, in order to walk by faith, we must first hear from God. Once we do hear, we have a choice or decision to make: to obey or not obey. Having faith in Jesus is a beginning, but not the totality of waking by faith. So, here’s the question: are you living by faith?

Living by Faith is an Act of Obedience

   It really is simple: to be obedient, a person believes what he or she hears with the intent to submit to God out of love. Obedience acts on what is heard. It would be disingenuous to say one is obedient but fails, or more accurately, refuses to comply with the Word.

What is Dead Faith?

   What does it mean, faith without works is dead? James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. When you know what to do, and you don’t do it, that would be considered dead faith. On the macro, it is like those who say they believe the Bible, but they don’t live it. They don’t act on what they read, let alone hear. That’s dead faith. James gives us some examples.

   James 2:14-16 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

   Is it faith to say the words, but not act on them? Hmm.

   James 2:20-24 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

   In one sense, works complete faith. When you read the story of Abraham, and see all that transpired, we understand that he obeyed what he heard. In Genesis 12, God told Abraham (then Abram) to leave his family and country, and go to a land that God would show him. What was his response?

   So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran (Genesis 12:4).

   If Abraham did not depart, his faith would have been considered dead. By the way, he was 75 when began the journey, so please don’t use age as an excuse to not comply with what the Lord may be asking of you. Your background and age don’t matter. What matters is what He says. He makes a way when it looks impossible.

   Quickly, don’t get wrapped up in works. Works don’t save us, nor do they make us good. Jesus makes us righteous, and works is the result of faith. In order for something to be considered a work of faith, hearing must come first. If it makes it easier, being led by Holy Spirit is the way of faith. To say, “I’m going to step out on faith and climb a mountain,” but didn’t hear first, it would not be a step of faith. You simply got some exercise. It’s one thing to do a good thing; it’s another to do the right thing.

James sums this up very well: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (James 2:18). True faith is followed by action, dead faith has only words.

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