Living By Faith?

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

One of the most difficult things I have found in my ministry is to bring a person from law to grace. This was Paul’s desire for the Galatians who had first been established in grace but were allowing other teachers to bring them back under the law. “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3) In this epistle, Paul uses several arguments to open their eyes as to what was happening to them. This shows us that God’s people can be under the law and not even know it. In other words, they can say they are saved by grace, entirely by Jesus, but in their mind they believe it is something they have done that saved them. They are not living by faith. They live their lives believing a law or a work ultimately saved them.

WORKS IS “I DID THAT” SALVATION

Why are so many people prone to do this? Why would anyone desire to be under the law, like the Galatians, or under any works system? Because a works system provides a visible, tangible thing that they can point to: “I did that, and you saw me do it. I did it, you did it, and we are all in it together. I can tell people about it and they can no longer question my salvation.” But faith is internal and invisible: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) You can’t see faith, or what we believe by faith, but it is as real as your love. It is the most powerful force that mankind possesses. It is by faith that we believe in and know Jesus. Therefore, the just do not point to something they did. They point to Christ and what He did. They believe, by faith, that their eternal destiny is entirely in the hands Jesus Christ. Those who live by faith live out their lives depending on what Jesus did to get them to heaven.

Those under the law may see God as having a part in their salvation, but they must have something that they can point to, that everyone saw, to justify them and gain their eternal destiny. They point to it and talk about it when they are asked about their salvation: “I accepted Jesus, I walked down the aisle, I was circumcised, I read the sinner’s prayer, I raised my hand at a revival, I…” But living by faith is not about, “I”, it is about Jesus and what He did and continues to do. “I” am the beneficiary of His grace.

WORKS SALVATION REQUIRES A SINLESS LIFE

If a person is going to point to anything that gained heaven for them they must point to everything they have ever done. In other words, they must live their entire life without sin. That is why Paul continues: “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them,” (Galatians 3:12) in all of them, that is. Conclusion: “No man is justified by the law in the sight of God.”

So, how is it with you? Are you living by faith or under the law? Is your trust entirely in Christ for your eternal destiny? If it is you are living by faith.

- Elder Neil Phelan, Jr.