“See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright — but the righteous will live by his faith.” — Habakkuk 2:4 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul quotes this verse when writing the book of Romans. It is our faith that makes us right with God and moves our daily lives. It is not our good works, religious lives, or any things that make us right with God. Our faith in Jesus Christ is what does it all. Our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection is what saves us and makes us right with God, and what moves us to live a righteous life.

It is important to understand that at the very center of our Christian belief is God’s grace (not ourselves). We are the recipients of His gracious works, not the earners of it because of any goodness in us. The importance of this lies in the fact that if God is at the center, then we know it is good and right. If we are at the center, we can never be certain that it is sufficient. The Holy Spirit has encountered us with the truth of God’s Word and has created faith in our hearts. He has breathed in us and made us “born again.”

Our Christian life is motivated by the same grace that redeems us. The freedom we find in Jesus moves us to live a righteous life. In short, our entire Christian life is motivated by gratitude for all that God has done for us. May the righteous life our faith produces shout out to the world around us that God is a God of grace.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church