“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4b
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'” – Romans 1:17
“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'” – Galatians 3:11
“But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” – Hebrews 10:38
Repetition is a great teaching tool as we all know. Repetition is good for the young to develop healthy habits. Contrary, it is often necessary for the elderly because of forgetfulness. Many of us need it because we are “thick’ headed. All of us need it because we are hard-hearted. When God repeats something four times, we better take notice.
Behold. Take notice. How does He want us to see? Clearly. Why? Listen to part of Habakkuk’s complaint. “Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” (1:3-4). A good illustration of the clay questioning the Potter. Habakkuk is concerned about iniquity, the righteous and justice. Why is God idle? Doesn’t God see? Not like man does. God’s response: You haven’t seen anything yet. Habakkuk was looking at the immediate, God sees the eternal. Habakkuk was looking at the external, God the internal. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
But. What is it we are to see clearly? The contrast between the proud and the righteous. Habakkuk was confused that God could use a wicked nation like Babylon for His divine purposes. How can a wicked people be used to “punish” a more righteous people? Doesn’t seem fair! God’s response is quoted above. The soul of Babylonia is proud, puffed up, “it is not upright within him, BUT the righteous shall live by his faith”. Listen Habakkuk. Don’t worry. Don’t complain. Don’t question. Believe. The proud will be punished in due time, the righteous will live. Forever. Stay humble.
The Righteous
If repetition is helpful for memorization, exposition is critical for understanding. As this truth, “The righteous shall live by faith” is repeated in scriptures, it’s components are explained. When it comes to defining justification and what it means to be righteous, the Book of Romans is unequaled. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness..since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” You get the picture.
Shall Live
While in the Book of Romans Paul expounds on how we are made righteous, in Galatians he encourages us to live out our faith. How? Freely. In Romans, Paul says he is “not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Different story in Galatians. They were being taught a false “gospel”. One from man, not from God. One that would enslave not liberate. The false teachers were promoting the law which condemns. Hence Paul’s rebuttal, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘the righteous shall live by faith.'” Paul’s advice, live free in Christ. “But now that faith has come we are no longer under a guardian for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” “For freedom Christ has set you free.” “You were called to freedom, brothers.” “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’.” “Walk by the Spirit.” “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” “The one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
By Faith
The last repetition of the words first penned by Habakkuk is found in Hebrews. After stating that “the righteous one shall live by faith”, the author proceeds down the Hall of Faith. Before he does, however, he gives us a definition of faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Throughout Hebrews chapter eleven, many are commended for their acts of faith. From believing to obeying, from offering to refusing. The acts may be different, but the epitaph was the same, “These all died in faith.” Quite a testimony. Quite a lesson.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..” – Hebrews 12:1-2a
Jesus makes us righteous. Jesus empowers us with the Spirit. Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith.
The righteous shall live by HIS faith. Definitely a Truth worth repeating.