It is not enough that, by faith, we receive the first impulse of life, but, having passed from death unto life, by the same means, we must continue to receive and appropriate spiritual nourishment, that we may grow thereby; we must walk by faith, following the leading of the holy Spirit through the Word of Truth. The life of faith is an individual matter, as well of the heart as of the head. It is far more than an acceptance of doctrines which we consider Scriptural and therefore true; it is the assimilation of that which we have proved to be the Truth, so that its principles become our principles, and its promises our inspiration.
Mankind's efforts under the fallen condition to gain everlasting life by works have proven disastrous. The sacrifice of Christ has made it possible that a righteousness apart from the law might be given all who exercise faith therein. Whoever, therefore, accepts Christ as his Savior, gains reckoned eternal life through faith, and thus the just shall live—gain everlasting life reckonedly through faith. The consecrated also live by faith in that theirs is a life of faith as distinct from living by sight. And, finally, actual eternal life is gained on all planes of being by faithfulness. Thus in three senses the just shall live by faith.
Hab. 2:4; John 3:15, 16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; Rom. 1:17; 3:19—5:1; 10:4; Gal. 2:16-21; 3:5-13, 21-26; Eph. 2:8-10; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 11:3-39; Jas. 2:17-26.
