Live By Faith

Galatians 3:11 (ESV) says, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Paul was quoting the Old Testament from Habakkuk’s prophecy. The concept of living in faith is not bound to the old or new covenant, but the power of faith is completed in the new covenant.

The old covenant was the written law. It was given to Moses and outlined what Israel should and should not do. It told them what sacrifices they should offer to atone for their sins and provided a moral framework for how they should live. Still, this law lacked the power to transform them and make them holy and free. It only bound them in its truth.

When Jesus came, he mediated a new covenant. One that is of the Spirit. In this new way, the power of God rests upon those who believe. While the law remains valid in its essence, the ability to live in freedom and godliness is granted to those who will receive the promised Holy Spirit.

When Paul writes about living by faith, this is what he means. Galatians 2:20 (ESV) says. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

It is because God loved us that we are granted access to the spirit of freedom. To live by faith means to give up yourself to be crucified with Christ. To lay your fleshly desires on the altar and receive a new heart. In this way, we overcome sin and the grave.

The Bible shows us a vital lesson here. Just because we received Christ does not mean that we instantly get transported to heaven. We know that we will receive new heavenly bodies in the New Jerusalem, but until then, we are stuck in what one of my friends likes to call our “dirt suit.” If we don’t learn how to live by faith, we will likely grow discouraged as the desires of the flesh rise up and attempt to overcome us.

So while we live out our lives in the flesh, let us live it out in faith. We are trusting the God who loved us and gave his life for us. He lived as an example so we could follow after him.

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