“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith"
An Orderly Account
Of The Greatest Story Ever Told
(A Study in Luke)
Chapter 6:22-36:
In our last lesson, we began the study of the “happy are you” portion of the Lord's sermon to His disciples. Keep in mind that this sermon exists under the Old Law, and was given to establish the original intent, in contrast to the traditions of men that existed. As we study each of the portions of the sermon, we will look at the original Old Testament principle and for the sake of application to Christians, we will look at the New Testament principles that uniquely match.
Text#1:
Luke 6:22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake.”
Corresponding text of Matthew:
Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
Again, we have a unique paradox in the concept of happy are you if you are tormented! Yet, this is the very intent of this beatitude. A true servant of God has always been at odds with those who belong to the world.
I am reminded of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; whose names were changed in Babylonian captivity to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. As they would not acknowledge the idolatrous god of Nebuchadnezzar, they were cast into a fiery furnace. God saved them, however, their unwillingness to yield to Nebuchadnezzar's idol stemmed from their faith in God and they were prepared to die in this life for the blessings of God ( Daniel 3 ). Likewise, all the true children of God were persecuted for righteousness sake.
In addition Jesus now adds, “For My sake” to acknowledge that true righteousness was to come from Him; now in preparation for the kingdom and then in the kingdom itself.
Jesus would include an illustration in the sermon for the sake of seeing this point, note:
Text #2:
Luke 6:23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets .”
Corresponding text of Matthew:
Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you .”
Jesus would specify these prophets as all of them from Abel to Zechariah ( Matthew 23:35 ).
New Testament: The Apostles of the Lord would continue to stress this very necessary paradox into the kingdom. They would add that it should not even be counted as strange that persecutions and fiery trials should follow true Christians and that they should rejoice in the very sign that persecutions represented that they were practicing righteousness.
1 Peter 4:12-16 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
Text #3:
Luke 6:24-26 “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
It is remarkable how different are our human standards of value from those of God. But what should be the criteria by which men recognize hearts of loving kindness, attitudes of justice, and characters of righteousness? These are the attributes of God! It was to be their achievements in these areas that determined their standing (blessed are you, or woe to you!). Human wisdom, might, and riches easily generate pride!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus says the Lord :
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord , exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord .”
New Testament: Again, we find corresponding Apostolic instruction along the same thought process, note:
1 Timothy 6:6-9 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
1 Corinthians 1:26 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”
Text #4:
Luke 6:27-36 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Corresponding text in Matthew #1:
Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
“You have heard it was said”: This is the first corresponding passage in Matthew that we find the actual reference to the misuse of the Old Testament precepts by the rabbis. This introduces the portion of the sermon where Jesus would first point out the error and then with the statement, “But I say to you” ; correct the error.
In this first portion, there were laws in the books to distribute punishment on a man who hurts a woman with child, causes disfigurement of a neighbor, or bears false witness against another ( Exodus 21:24 ; Leviticus 24:20 ; Deuteronomy 19:21 ). However, these were to be government sanctioned sentences and not individual retribution as the rabbis were teaching.
Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord .”
New Testament: Again the teachings of Jesus would find their mark in the prophetic words of His apostles to Christians, note:
1 Peter 2:21-23 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps :
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
Corresponding text in Matthew #2:
Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Under the teachings of the Law of Moses we have the foundation laid for what many of us realize as the golden rule. In addition, there would be instances that one was not to seek recompense but to trust in God, and to behave kindly towards a noted enemy, note:
Exodus 23:4-5 "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.”
Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord .”
Proverbs 20:22 “Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the Lord , and He will save you.”
Proverbs 24:29 “Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."
Proverbs 25:21-22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.”
New Testament: The Apostle Paul would likewise infuse in Christians the need for a unique behavior towards others; first towards those on the outside and then towards brethren, note:
Romans 12:17-21 “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself . 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”