Living by Faith: Righteousness by Faith

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:11

In the Chapter 5 of the Book of Romans, Paul speaks of the abounding grace of God which brings eternal life, and contrasts it with the fruit of abounding sin, death. He says that where sin abounded grace abounded much more, where one was held accountable for their sin, because of grace they were forgiven through the propitiation of the Saviour (Read Romans 4 and 5).

However, in this post we will discuss the life of faith, one where the justified individual walks by faith.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Many are under the impression that so long we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord we will always be saved. It is true 'that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved'. However, there is a difference between simply confessing with the mouth and confessing and believing within one's heart.

God forbid that we should continue in sin, for we are dead to sin and are baptized into the death of Christ Jesus, that we may resurrect as He did to the newness of life.

What is this newness of life?

The newness of life is walking according to the Spirit, it is dying to sin and being alive to God. We no longer walk according to the flesh, not according to our passions and feelings, but according to the Spirit, by the mind serving the law of God. For those who are in the flesh cannot please God, for with the flesh is served the law of sin.

With that being said, what does it mean to be alive to God but dead to sin?

It means to walk in the newness of life, that is, according to the Spirit, becoming slaves of righteousness, a life of obedience unto righteousness, and freed from sin.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness. - Romans 6:12-13

LiFE Ministries Team

All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version 1611. -
Romans 6:21
Romans 6:1
Romans 10:9

Next week: Seeing our Faith (Glorification)

Living by Faith: Justification by faith

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
- Habakkuk 2:4

In the book of Romans, Paul quotes from this very same Old Testament verse, however, here in the book of Habakkuk, we are given a contrast between the faithful life and the faithless. He whose soul is lifted up, who trusts in himself is not upright, but he whose life is directed by trust in God, and that alone is just and upright.

The Bible defines faith as the hope of things not seen and the evidence of things hoped for; walking by faith and not by sight - it is, simply, seeing as God sees.

In the book of Hebrews, we are given the experiences of the patriarchs and pilgrims of old; Abel, Abraham, Noah, Moses and others. It is written, ‘by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’

Faith is essential in every Christian’s life, it is by faith that we have an audience with the Most High; it is by faith that we have a relationship with the unseen God, who is immortal and invisible. By faith all things are possible.

Indeed, it is by faith in the news of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection that we are justified. The just live by trusting in the gospel of Christ for their salvation, for it is in the gospel that the righteousness of God is revealed. When complete surrender is given and trust is put in the sacrifice of Christ, we see the justice and mercy of God. Before man and the unfallen worlds is displayed God’s ability to be just and uphold His eternal Law by not seeing sin’s penalty be paid. Yet He is still merciful and sends His only, begotten Son, the express image of His likeness, the fullness of His glory, to be the captain of our salvation through suffering.

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.


But for us also, to whom it (righteousness) shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. - Romans 4:24-25
LiFE Ministries Team

All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version 1611. -
Habakkuk 2:4
Hebrews 11:5-6

Next Week: Living by Faith (Righteousness by Faith)

Looking Unto the Unseen

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Paul writes to the church in Corinth that although they be afflicted, and cast down, although they are persecuted, troubled on every side that these tribulations are, indeed light, and for a moment. Though around them circumstances seem unfavourable their affections are set on those things that are heavenly, those things which are eternal and cannot be seen.

The pleasures of this earth are not hidden but, rather, are in plain sight, and appear appealing and satisfying. The devil, knowing that his time is short, determinedly, seeks to entice us, and goes out of his way to lure us with the pleasures of sin, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes.

When Jesus was in the wilderness, it was the devil himself, who took Him to the exceeding high mountain and showed Christ all the kingdoms and glory of this world. Satan brought before the eyes of Christ a beautiful and glory-filled panorama of palaces and kingdoms and declared that these would be Christ’s, if He would only bow down before the deceiver. However, Christ knew that the Kingdom which was His Father’s in Heaven was worth much more than the temporal monarchies on earth, although He could not see the Kingdom, He set his mind heavenward. The affliction therefore proved to be light and Christ, although on this degraded and dark world, looked with eyes of faith to the Kingdom awaiting Him.

There also should our affections be directed, though our wily woe seek to distract and detract our eyes from the King, let us be as Moses ‘choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.’

Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that this will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, because all things that we desire will be added unto us. (So long as they be in accordance to His will)

Let not our selfish desire for so-called happiness, detract us from the beauties of Christ, but let our desire and hunger for righteous lift our eyes unto the One who is righteous. For, he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.


Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.- 1 John 2:14-16

LiFE Ministries Team

All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version 1611. -
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
1 John 2:16
Hebrews 11:25-26
Matthew 6:33
1 John 3:7