Sermon Snippet – Live It Up
INTRODUCTION – One of the most well-known verses in Scripture is found in Romans 1:17b: “As it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Writing under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul quotes another verse – Habakkuk 2:4b. It is always wise to compare Scripture with Scripture and to study the context of both. Today, we will consider three implications of this foundational statement of our faith.
1. WE LIVE BY FAITH BY TRUSTING IN GOD THE SON, JESUS CHRIST, FOR ETERNAL SALVATION
Romans 1:16 specifically references “the Gospel of Christ.” It is available to all, both “Jew” and “Greek” (non-Jewish people). This “salvation”: is the ultimate revelation of “the power of God,” for it restores an everlasting relationship with God that was completely ruptured by our sin (this is the meaning of “righteousness of God” in verse 17a, it is a renewal of right relations with Him). God is wholly holy (Habakkuk 1:13a – “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity”), we are not, and never the twain shall meet – that is, without the direct intervention of our Savior God. Jesus, fully man and fully God, died on the Cross as our perfect substitute to take the full punishment for our sins; He rose the third day because He is the God of life; He ascended to heaven to prepare His home to be our home also; He has promised to return one day for everyone who wants to be with Him. These truths are crucial to “the Gospel of Christ.” Saving faith acknowledges these facts and trusts in the Holy One Who accomplishes them.
2. WE LIVE BY FAITH BY BEING FAITHFUL
Part of faith is faithfulness. Romans 1:17a uses the phrase “from faith to faith” to indicate that from the beginning to the end our salvation is God’s great work of grace and thus that we too should be characterized by loyalty and fidelity. The following passage (verses 18-32) presents a startling and stark contrast, showing what a faithless life can quickly and easily become. Although Habakkuk is historically distant from Romans – separated by more than 600 years and by the Cross of Christ – the two are the same theologically. The prophet lamented the faithlessness of the Israelites (1:2-4) and then further lamented that they would be chastened by the Chaldeans, an even more faithless people (1:12-13). God’s answer to the puzzled prophet was Habakkuk 2:4b: “The just shall live by faith.” This sentence is introduced by “but,” the conjunction of contrast, indicating that the people of God cannot live as the sinning Israelites and Chaldeans did. We must be faithful to our family, our friends, and our obligations (including work). Of course, I know non-Christians who are genuinely devoted in these areas; their faithfulness looks just like ours. However, our faithfulness to God adds an additional layer to what we do – a substantive, solid layer – for we are tangibly expressing our faith.
3. WE LIVE BY FAITH BY ENJOYING OUR LIFE OF FAITHFUL Habakkuk had reached a surprising conclusion – truly a faith-driven conclusion (3:17-19): he was going to find reasons to “rejoice.” In fact, he was even going to sing about these reasons. There are things in life that are low, base, hurtful, destructive. We cannot ignore these disturbing realities, but we do not need to wallow in them. Faith seeks out the good and enjoys it. James 1:17a reminds us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”; I Timothy 6:17 assures us that these blessings are to be appreciated, for God “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” I frequently think of Philippians 4:8 (it reminds me of my youthful trophy wife): “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” We see that Paul, whose life was decidedly difficult, came to the same conclusion that Habakkuk reached: we must be determined to enjoy life. If we find ourselves struggling, a good antidote is to think about eternity, for heaven awaits.
CONCLUSION – Let’s really live it up. Let’s live forever by trusting in Jesus as Savior. Let’s live with purposeful faithfulness by serving others. Let’s live in enjoyment of the good things in life – and in anticipation of the greater good things to come. Let’s really live it up.