Life by Faith

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Galatians 3:11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Men who are saved by faith become just. The operation of faith upon the human heart is to produce love, and through love, obedience, which is only another name for morality or holiness, the flower of the new nature. The Christian man should aim after the highest degree of spiritual culture and heavenly perfection; yet his salvation depends not on his attainments, but upon his faith in a crucified Redeemer. Faith is the fruitful root, the inward channel of sap, the great life-grace in every branch of the vine.

I. IN THE PUREST SPIRITUAL SENSE IT IS TRUE THAT THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. Great saints must be great believers. Little-faith can never be a matured saint.

1. The nobility of the inner life depends upon faith. A man whose life is hid with Christ in God is one of the aristocrats of this world. In proportion as the spiritual life is developed, the man grows in dignity.

2. The energy of the spiritual life depends on faith. Wherever the spiritual life fairly pervades a man, it is a force which cannot be bound, fettered, or kept under; a holy fury, a sacred fire in the bones. But this energy can only be exerted under the power of faith.

3. Growth in the spiritual life depends upon our faith. Faith enriches the soil of the heart, fills our treasuries with the choicest gold, and loads our tables with the daintiest food for the soul.

II. FAITH IS OPERATIVE IN OUR DAILY LIFE.

1. It sustains the just man under all his trials, difficulties, sufferings, or labours.

2. It has an effect upon the dispensations of Divine Providence.

III. THIS IS ALSO TRUE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS A WHOLE.

1. The Church lives by faith, not speculation.

2. By faith, not retiring despondency.

3. By faith, not "the proprieties."

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