The Just Shall Live By Faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

My husband enjoys building Eastern Bluebird Houses. There are specific ways and plans to build them.  Research shows that there are certain requirements:

Style: The birdhouses are built out of rough sawn cedar.  They are rectangle in shape with a slanted roof that extends over the top opening, but also allows for ventilation on each top side.  The bottom piece also has corner ventilation.  The side piece needs to be able to open to clean out the used nest.

Size and shape of hole: It’s an oval shape, one and one half inches wide by two and one quarter inches tall.

Notches: On the inside front piece place notches so the small birds, when they hatch, can climb up and soon fly out.

Place on fence or pole: The top of the birdhouse should be six feet high maximum.

Separate by feet: The Eastern Bluebirds are very territorial and the birdhouses need to be on open land a few hundred feet apart.

If you build them according to plans, within a short time, Eastern Bluebirds will come to these houses.  It is truly amazing!

So does God have requirements? Does He have a plan and purpose for us?

The answer is “Yes, He does!”

But what are these plans and purposes? Let’s research the Bible to see what God has to say about the matter.

Matthew 7:21-23

“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Here we have a quote from Scripture that makes it plain that not everyone that has prophesied, cast out demons and done works in Jesus Christ’s name will be in heaven.  What a very sad condition to be in.

There are also five specific places in God’s Word that say “The just shall live by faith.”

1.Habakkuk 2:4  “But the just shall live by his faith.”

2. Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

3.  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.”

4. Philippians 3:9  “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

5. Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith.”

The faith that God requires is the faith that He gives.

Rejecting Christ is rejecting God’s ONLY way of salvation!  When Jesus is all you have, it’s enough!!

The Better Way: There is no other way but God’s way!

About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
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2 Responses to The Just Shall Live By Faith

  1. Elizabeth Reaves says:

    So true! Great reminder that it’s not our works but Christ has done it all!

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  2. Gail Slawson says:

    Thank you, Beth! What a wonderful statement of faith!

    Like

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