The Righteous Live by Faith

Habakkuk 2:2–4 ESV

2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

I. Human righteousness compared with God’s righteousness

Human beings cannot by themselves achieve righteousness in the sight of God

Ec 7:20; Is 64:6; Mt 5:20

Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV

20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Isaiah 64:6 ESV

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

See also Pr 21:2; Da 9:18; Mt 23:28; Lk 16:15; Lk 18:9; Ro 3:10; Ro 3:20; Php 3:6–7

II. True righteousness is the result of the action of God

Ro 8:3–4; Eph 4:24; 1 Jn 2:29

Romans 8:3–4 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 John 2:29 ESV

29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

See also Ro 6:13; Ro 6:16–20; Ro 8:10; Ro 14:17; Ga 5:5; Eph 5:9; Php 1:11; Heb 12:11; Jas 3:18; 1 Pe 2:24; 1 Jn 3:10

III. Faith pleases God

Ge 15:6; Heb 11:6

Genesis 15:6 ESV

6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

See also 1 Sa 26:23; Ps 32:10; Ps 40:4; Ps 84:12; Ps 106:30–31; Je 17:7; Hab 2:4; Heb 10:38; Heb 11:4; Heb 11:7

IV. Righteousness and faith in Jesus Christ

A. It is God-given and not the result of human effort

Ro 1:17; Php 3:8–9 Paul is contrasting this righteousness with his own previous efforts.

Romans 1:17 ESV

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Philippians 3:8–9 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

See also Ac 13:39; Ro 3:21; Ro 3:27–28 It is apparent that faith is not regarded as another kind of “work” which earns salvation; Ro 4:1–8; Ro 5:17; Ro 9:30–31; Ga 3:11–12

B. Faith is centered on Jesus Christ and what he has accomplished

Ro 5:1–2 “justified” means “declared righteous” in a legal sense.

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

See also Ro 3:21–26; Ro 4:18–25; Ro 10:6–10; Ga 3:6–9

C. Saving faith is not mere belief, but acting on the basis of that belief

James 2:21–24 ESV

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

God’s Invitation of Salvation

Hear - Believe - Confess - Repent

Be Baptized - Remain Steadfast

see Rom 10:17; Jn 1:7; Heb 4:14; Lk 13:3; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

John 1:7 ESV

7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Luke 13:3 ESV

3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.