The Vitals of a Disciple:

Faith

Romans 1:17

Introduction

The Righteous Will Live By Faith

1. The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
2. “The Righteous” – Identity in Christ

Paul’s phrase presupposes justification. Those who are “righteous” are not self-righteous; they are those who have been declared righteous through Christ.

“The gospel is not about how we make ourselves righteous, but how God makes us righteous through faith in His Son.” R.C. Sproul

1. “Shall Live” – The Ongoing Experience

The verb “live” denotes continual action. It describes a way of existence, not a momentary event. The life of faith is ongoing moment by moment, day by day.

1. “By Faith” – The Means and Motivation

The Christian does not live by sight, emotion, or circumstance—but by faith in the unchanging character of God.

“The just shall live by faith because faith unites us to Christ, and to live by faith is to live by Christ Himself.” RC Sproul

1. Defining Biblical Faith

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Faith is both assurance and conviction—a confident trust in God’s character and promises even when circumstances seem contrary.

Wayne Grudem defines “trust or dependence on God based on the fact that we take Him at His word and believe what He has said.”

Faith, then, includes three essential elements:

Knowledge – We must know who God is and what He has said. Faith is not ignorance; it grows out of understanding God’s Word.

Assent – We must agree that what God says is true. It is not enough to hear the truth; we must affirm it as reality.

Trust – We must personally rely upon that truth. Faith is more than believing facts about God; it is entrusting ourselves entirely to Him.

“It is one thing to believe in God; it is quite another to believe God.” R.C. Sproul

III. Faith Is Not a One-Time Act, But a Lifestyle

Faith shapes how we face trials, make decisions, relate to others, and trust God in uncertainty.

1. Faith Sustains Daily Living

Faith is not static; it is dynamic, active, and enduring.

“Faith is not only the way we are saved but the way we stay saved. It is not a single decision—it is a life of trusting God’s promises day by day.” John Piper

 Faith Confronts the Unknown

Faith is most visibly expressed when life becomes uncertain. Faith walks into the unknown with confidence in the known character of God.

1. Faith Produces Obedience

Faith is not opposed to works it is the root of true obedience. Genuine faith always results in action.

“Faith is not just believing that something is true; it is acting on that belief.” W. Grudem

1. The Enemies of Faith
2. Unbelief
3. Self-Reliance
4. Worldly Distractions

The ultimate goal of faith is not merely to start the race but to finish it well. Paul declared at the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Conclusion: Living by Faith Until He Comes

So, believer—Walk by faith. Live by faith. Endure by faith. Because “the righteous shall live by faith.