Skip to content

A Word for 2022: The Righteous Will Live By Faith

Romans 1:16-17 NIV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Exegesis

Verse 16

For I am not ashamed: Christians should never be ashamed or embarrassed of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). We should not have to be reminded of this truth, except if we are tempted by persecution and ridicule, loss, hardship and deferred hope to we feel like we have been wrong or have wasted our lives in service to the Lord. It is at the point of testing when we must make our stand for Christ.

The Gospel: Literally, Good News. The glad tidings that result from Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is primarily delivered through word of mouth (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).

Power of God that brings salvation: The salvation of a sinner is nothing short of a miracle, and can only be achieved by the power of God (Acts 26:18). Salvation is grounded in the work of the Son in the past, and is actuated by the work of the Holy Spirit in the present (John 3:3-8).

To everyone who believes: This great salvation comes to us through faith, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

First to the Jew, then to the Gentile: Salvation is “of the Jews,” namely the Jewish Messiah. But through Messiah, salvation comes to all people, irrespective of sex, class or ethnicity (Galatians 3:28).

Verse 17

The righteousness of God is revealed: “Righteousness” here has more to do with what God does. Righteousness is God’s saving acts and intervention on behalf of His people (Isaiah 46:12-13; 61:10).

By faith from first to last: God’s righteousness always has and always will come to those who are of faith (Hebrews 11:1-2, 6)

As it is written: Paul is about to quote Habakkuk 2:4, but be sure that the message of faith is proclaimed throughout the entire Bible (Genesis 15:6).

The righteous will live by faith: Salvation is obtained by faith, but faith is not a one time pledge. Faith is the way of life for Christians. Everything we pursue in this life must be pursued by faith in God’s Word and His goodness (Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6)

Living by Faith in 2022

In 2021, Christians had to contend with the ubiquitous messaging of fear and shame in order to build, plant and increase (Jeremiah 29:4-7). There has been a concerted effort the past few years to discourage and disincentive fruitfulness, faithfulness and productivity, which many gave into.

In 2022, this demonic messaging will persist, along with various forms of coercion. Christians must stand firm and live by faith- focusing not on what is seen, but on God’s invisible reality (2 Corinthians 4:18). We must live by faith in God that He will reward and vindicate us wherever we seek to honor Him, even at the threat of great loss (Hebrews 11:6).

Hebrews 10:19-39 NIV

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.37 For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

38 And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.