“… The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11- Part 4

The Lifestyle of Faith (part 4)

“… The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Faith is the lifestyle of the believer. Faith is the persuasion in a just persons mind that the word of God is true based on God’s authority and truthfulness. Now, the more we hear God’s word, the more our faith increases (Romans 10:17). As our faith increases, faith’s components are also strengthened which are these: love, belief, loyalty, obedience, trust and confidence. So then our lifestyle of faith is a lifestyle of love; a lifestyle of belief; a lifestyle of loyalty; a lifestyle of obedience; a lifestyle of trust; and a lifestyle of confidence.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” The same is with faith’s component of love. Without love it is impossible to live a lifestyle that pleases God, because if you love Him you will keep his commandments (John 14:15). As it is with faith’s component of love, the same is with faith’s component of belief. Without belief, without accepting God’s word as truth,it is impossible to please God, because “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). As it is with faith’s component of love, and belief, the same is with faith’s component of loyalty. Without being loyal or faithful, it is impossible to please God, as it is written, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Another of faith’s components without which it is impossible to please God is obedience. Now, when we comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of another we are being obedient.

Jesus said these words in Luke 6:46-49 NLT, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” The title Lord means master. Here Jesus is saying, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Master, Master!’ when you don’t do what I say?” Isaiah said the same thing as Jesus but used different words, “Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care— but Israel doesn’t know its master” (Isaiah 1:3 NLT). Jesus went on to give an illustration of what an obedient person is like, “I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. Jesus then compared and contrasted the obedient person with one who is disobedient, “But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” (To be continued)