Galatians 3:12
Memory Verse
And the law is not out from faith, but the one doing it will live by it (Galatians 3:12).
Since the just live out from faith, Galatians 3:11, and law is not out from faith, law is not the standard for those who are righteous. Christians who desire to live under a law that dictates what they are not to do for the purpose of righteous conduct follow the same path as the Israelites. The Israelites, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, sought to establish their own, Romans 10:3.
The standard for a Christian’s conduct is faith. Therefore, we live by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1. This is a standard of freedom to act in a righteous manner in all things, 2 Corinthians 3:17. When a Christian utilizes the new mind he has in Christ, and seeks out the desires from the Holy Spirit, he is able to express love. By applying his properly trained senses to determine what is proper, he will discern the will of God in any situation, Romans 12:2; Hebrews 5:14, Galatians 5:16–17, Colossians 3:14. After determining God’s will, the Christian is free to work out His will in a manner that is pleasing to him as he manifests the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22–23.
Faith is taking God at His Word and is always based upon a promise, Hebrews 11:1. Faith is not presumption–believe for the sake of believing. Faith requires a promise. God’s promise to those who believe that Christ died on behalf of our sins and was raised on the third day involves the position and possessions we have in Christ. In Christ, the believer is now righteous before God. He has been washed of his trespasses and sins. Living by faith is acting in a manner that aligns with what God has promised. God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness, 2 Peter 1:3–4. We must apply what we have in Christ in faith, not forgetting that we have been cleansed from our old sins, 2 Peter 1:5–9.