In the season of trials I have experienced since the beginning of 2018 God has been dealing with the pride of my heart and teaching me that the righteous shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38).  In fact, without faith it is impossible to please God; for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Did you catch that?  Faith is directly attached to seeking God.  The righteousness we have in Christ is based on right-standing, or more specifically, right-relationship with God.  The type of relationship that is grounded in faith is one of deep intimacy and dependence on Him, acknowledging all our ways with openness, transparency, and vulnerability before God.  It is a relationship established by believing who He says He is, and believing who He says we are in union with Him.  It is a relationship marked by bold reliance on God; a relationship marked by trust and obedience because we have come to know Him and have received His love (truth, forgiveness, restoration, discipline, blessings).

Hebrews 10:38-39 “‘But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

Romans 14:23 states, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”  That is a hard word, but it is a glorious, life-giving truth.  Let us examine our hearts; are there beliefs we are attaching to, or decisions we are making that do not proceed from faith, but fear?  If so, Father God, we ask for great conviction of our hearts; in faith let us embrace convictions and be transformed by them; let us reject condemnation, shame, and fear of judgment.  In Jesus’ name.  The righteous shall live by faith!