1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 300 600 James continues the series “Where Feet May Fail”, looking at Habakkuk 2:1–4 and one of the most important statements in Scripture: “The righteous person will live by faith.” He begins with the idea of discovering something valuable in an unexpected place. On a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, James unexpectedly came across the words of In Flanders Fields. In a similar way, tucked away in the small and sometimes overlooked book of Habakkuk is a truth that lies at the very heart of the Christian gospel. Habakkuk has already complained to God about the violence and injustice in Judah. God’s answer — that he will use the Babylonians to judge Judah — leaves Habakkuk even more confused. At the beginning of chapter 2, Habakkuk decides to wait and watch for God’s response. James highlights this as an important lesson in prayer. When we ask God questions, we should also be prepared to watch for his answer. God may respond differently or on a different timescale from what we expect. Habakkuk discovers that God is gracious enough to hear our complaints and questions. God then tells Habakkuk to write down the revelation, make it plain and ensure that it can be carried to others. James explains that this shows the message is permanent, understandable and important enough to proclaim urgently. Yet its complete fulfilment lies in the future: God tells Habakkuk to wait because what he has promised will certainly come. The New Testament takes this promise further, connecting it ultimately with the return of Jesus Christ. God’s purposes may appear delayed, but they will not fail. James then reaches the central statement: “The righteous will live by faith.” Paul quotes these words in Romans 1 and uses them to explain the gospel and the doctrine of justification by faith. We cannot make ourselves right with a holy God by effort, religious achievement or good works. Salvation is entirely by God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Even faith itself is not something we manufacture in order to impress God; James points to Ephesians 2, where salvation is described as God's gift so that no one can boast. The message is therefore both profound and wonderfully simple. When the Philippian jailer asks Paul, “What must I do to be saved?”, Paul answers: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Jesus has taken our sin and its punishment on the cross. Those who trust him receive forgiveness and are counted righteous before God. The righteousness of Christ is given to us, so that our standing before God depends not on our performance but on what Jesus has completed. James uses Martin Luther as a powerful example. Luther struggled desperately to make himself acceptable to God through religious effort. His discovery of Romans 1 and the truth that “the righteous will live by faith” transformed his understanding of Christianity. Salvation was not something he had to earn; it was something God gave by grace. James closes by reminding the congregation that faith is not only how the Christian life begins — we continue to live by faith every day. Our confidence remains in Jesus, his finished work on the cross and his willingness to save, cleanse and keep those who trust him. The message of Habakkuk is ultimately one of enormous hope: we cannot save ourselves, but God has done everything necessary for us in Jesus Christ. 0:00 The Way of the Righteous 1:11 Finding Treasure in Unexpected Places 4:00 Habakkuk’s Hidden Gospel Truth 5:07 Habakkuk Waits for God’s Answer 9:31 Write Down the Revelation 13:28 God’s Promise Is Worth Waiting For 16:56 The Righteous Will Live by Faith 19:21 Saved by Grace Through Faith 22:15 Believe in the Lord Jesus and Be Saved 26:44 Martin Luther and the Discovery of Grace Sermons from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship http://www.aberdeencf.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/43693429/height/300/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="300" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/43693429