Faith of Faith - Habakkuk 2:4

 

Sermon . Faith of Faith

Habakkuk 2:4

To those who have received the righteousness of faith and are prepared to enter into the fullness of faith: May the Holy Spirit Father grant you the spiritual purity to cease outward ritual acts and walk in spiritual actions according to His thoughts. Amen.

In the Bible, we find two notable devout men: Paul and James (the epistle writer). Each emphasized a different aspect—Paul focused on one truth, James on another. When studied carefully, they seem different, but upon deeper examination, their teachings unite as one message. Both perspectives are essential for every believer to understand.

Paul taught that salvation is by faith.
James stressed that salvation is evidenced by works.

Which one should we believe?

Faith is believing what God says. In Genesis, it says that Abraham believed God’s word immediately—that belief itself was counted as righteousness. There was no action at that point, only belief. Because of this instant faith:

1. He was called righteous,
2. He was named the father of all believers.

So, faith preceded works in Abraham’s story. Though he later acted, it was faith that came first.

God promised Abraham a son in his old age and descendants like the stars of heaven. Though biologically impossible, Abraham didn’t question—he believed instantly. Many of us today would ask numerous theological questions. But Abraham didn’t. That’s the greatness of his faith.

Paul affirmed this: "Without faith, no one can be saved" (Ephesians 2:8), and "No one is justified without faith" (Hebrews 11:4). Centuries later, Habakkuk declared, “The righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). He didn’t mention works but emphasized that the one who has faith becomes righteous and lives by that faith.

From this we understand three truths:

1. Faith brings justification.
2. Faith leads to righteousness.
3. Faith enables one to live spiritually.

These were not statements about the ungodly but about the righteous and devout.

Paul said: “Even if you have many works, without faith they are nothing.”
James said: “Even if you have faith, without works, it is dead” (James 2:20).

Harmonizing Paul and James

For example: If you don’t help the poor, that’s a lack of action. If you claim to have faith in God but don’t show compassion through your actions, it raises questions. Yet you call yourself righteous and a believer?

This raises a strong argument. Both faith and works must be present.

• Without works, faith is void.
• Without faith, works are meaningless.

In ancient times, Martin Luther read Habakkuk 2:4 and clung to it as the essence of true doctrine. He proclaimed, “The righteous shall live by faith, not by works.” He opposed the Roman Catholic Church’s emphasis on rituals and merit-based salvation.

Rome taught that:

• Going to the city of Rome brought salvation,
• Donations at the time of death secured release from purgatory,
• Rituals for the dead granted salvation.

Luther tried these himself but felt no peace in his soul. He concluded: Salvation is not through rituals, but through faith alone.

This became a foundational truth of the Reformation.

Faith That Grows

Martin Luther read both Paul's and James’ epistles. These men lived long before him, but when Luther was around 20, God led him to read the Bible and highlighted Habakkuk 2:4 for him. That verse became his life’s message.

What should we learn today?

We must have:

• Faith, as Paul emphasized.
• Works, as James emphasized.

Even if someone belongs to a good religion or performs good works, unless they come to Christ, they cannot be saved. They may be morally upright, but without faith in God, there is no salvation.

Doing good deeds alone doesn’t ensure salvation. Paul clearly wrote: “It is by faith in God that one is saved.” Without such faith, all good works are fruitless for salvation.

Abraham’s Great Faith

When God promised Abraham a son, he believed. Later, when asked to sacrifice that son, he also obeyed—without questioning, even though it seemed contradictory.

He could have asked, "Lord, didn’t You say this son would become a great nation? He’s come of age—shouldn’t he be married first? You said his descendants would be like the stars, and now You ask me to sacrifice him?"

But he didn’t ask. Instead, he believed that God could raise his son from the ashes, and still fulfill His promise. That’s faith upon faith—great faith.

1. First came faith.
2. Then came the work of faith.
3. Then came the faith of faith—faith that trusts even beyond logic.

Even before Isaac's children multiplied, those who believed like Abraham already became his spiritual descendants—greater than his physical lineage.

Paul emphasized faith.
James emphasized works.
We must possess both.

Don’t evaluate others by their religion or morality. The true question is: Do they have faith in Christ?

Without Christ, no salvation. Only faith in God brings salvation. Without it, even the noblest deeds are of no eternal profit.

Abraham expressed his faith by lifting the knife to sacrifice his son, trusting God entirely.

Faith must be lived.
Faith must act.
Faith must mature into greater faith.

May your faith and works increase. If they do, you will surely receive salvation and a share in the second coming. May these few words bless your soul and build your faith. Amen.

This sermon was preached by God’s servant,Father.M. Devadasu, on November 4, 1955