How are we to accept those different from us? Can whites, blacks and others really accept one another? Or, can Christians who differ with one another over a hundred and one issues really accept one another? Who must give ground? Who will lose ground? Is this just some pie in the sky admonition from the Apostle Paul, that we accept one another, one far easier to debate than to practice?
It seems Habakkuk 2:4 is Paul's "lesson text" on which he builds Romans. It might even be argued that Romans is a divine commentary on that Old Testament text. Literally, Paul's word order is "The righteous by faith will live" (Rom. 1:17). The first eight chapters of Romans fleshes out the theological meaning of that text, chapters 9-11 discuss the intricacies of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, and chapters 12-16 show how the text applies on a day-to-day basis as one lives out life.
Without going into depth, let me summarize by saying that the key ingredient in the life of a believer is faith, specifically, faith is belief that God has accomplished our salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus; at least this is the way I read Romans. But here's what we might want to consider. It is not through law-keeping that we live; it is by faith. It is not through works that we live; it is by faith. It is not through 100% agreement that we live; it is by faith. It is not through believing exactly the same thing that we live; it is by faith. It is not through approaching Scripture with the same methods that we live; it is be faith. Paul wrote that it is "by faith" that we live.
We can accept one another because we all live by faith, not because of all the things I listed above. So as I reflect on Habakkuk's statement and Paul's explanation of it, I'm wondering how you might fill in the blank: It is clear that by faith we live, therefore it is not by _____________ that we live. What do you think? How would you fill in the blank?
If all of us increase in our faith in Jesus, so also we will increase in our mutual ability to get along with and accept one another.
At least that's what I think. --Terrell Lee
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It is clear that by faith we live, therefore it is not by trust in self that we live.
ReplyDeleteThats how I would fill in the blank.
It is not by things of this world that we live.
ReplyDeleteHabakkuk 2 mentions the worthlessness of idols who cannot speak or even breath. Causes me to consider what idols I may have. Money ? Pursuit of wealth ? Pleasure ? Entertainment ? The righteous will live by faith. If I'm pursuing righteousness I am living by faith.