Hi Mandy,
The paradigm of the three tenses of salvation (past, present, and future) is actually carried out throughout the whole of the Old and New Testaments.? The phrase in Habakkuk 2:4, however, is what unlocked two concepts for Paul
in the 1st century AD and the reformers Luther, etc. 1,500 years later: "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for,
The just shall live by faith.”??
1.? A person is not and can never be justified (declared righteous by God and thus become a child of God) through any works that they themselves do, including the work of obeying the Law.? As Ephesians
2:8-9 states clearly: "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
2.? The clause "The just shall live by faith" unlocked the second blinding insight that they experienced.??
- "The just" are those to whom point 1 pertains, in other words, those who had already by faith accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; this is past tense, done and dusted.? When they were justified, they were saved from
the penalty of sin ("the wages of sin is death") and now had life eternal with Christ.
- "Shall live: expresses how those who had been justified will live their lives by setting themselves apart (sanctified) from sin.? This doesn't mean that they will never sin, but that
with the aid of the Holy Spirit, "... sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)"? In other words,
ongoing throughout the rest of their lives,?the justified believer, buttressed by the strength of the Holy Spirit, is free to live a
life saved from the power of sin. Satan has lost his power over the sanctified because they live in the strength of God.
- "By faith".? Faith provides protection in several ways: first, it was faith that led to being justified.? Faith helps one live day-to-day sanctified lives.? Finally, it is faith in life after death and being redeemed to live
with Christ in the future (glorification) that provides moral and spiritual strength today as well.? In the presence of Jesus, believers will be protected (saved) from the power of sin.
So, huge and powerful concepts are contained in a mere six words!? "The just shall live by faith."? It's not surprising that you find this challenging - it has riven religions and nations and families over centuries.? In our lifetimes, we are experiencing the collapse of Western Civilisation as it has chosen to ignore the basis of its existence and strength.? In just two weeks, the people of the United States, weakened by decades of white-anting from within, will decide whether to continue in faith (with not only faith in God but faith in themselves as a free people) as a Constitutional Republic or trade that in to become enslaved serfs in an elitist-dominated Marxist totalitarian nation.*? As I said, no wonder you find this concept challenging.? I do too.
Thanks for asking.? Let me know if this answer helped.
Blessings,
Ray
* As in the time of the Judges, the West now reflects Judges 17:6: "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."? And now, as then, the people clamour for a king, "...?now
make us a king to judge us like all the nations. (1 Sam. 8:5)"
Ray