Thesis: To teach the hearers that God indeed does use evil that good may come, and the proper response to such evil, and any circumstance.
Text: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4
Introduction,
Today we are going to look at the book of “Habakkuk,” it was penned at about 610 BC, shortly before Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity, the name “Habakkuk” means “to embrace” or “one who embraces.” We need to be ones who “embrace” also, embracing God’s will and ways for ourselves in this New Testament age.
The times then were pretty much as they are today in this country, everyone was out for self, the true religion of God was neglected, idol worship was propagated (covetousness, selfishness in our country, which is idolatry; Col 3:5), and the worship that they did offer to God was laced with the things of men, and it wasn’t from the heart (it wasn’t in spirit and truth; Jn 4:24), again just like today.
The purpose of the book of Habakkuk is 3 fold . . .
1) To pronounce judgment upon Babylon
2) To encourage Judah (God’s people) to make things right with God
3) And to answer the question, “why do the righteous suffer?”
One of the unique features of the book is that not only did Habakkuk take Jehovah’s message to the people, but also Habakkuk took the people’s message to Jehovah.
In chapter 1:1-4 Habakkuk puts forth the question, “why do the wicked [of Judah] triumph over the righteous?” In other words “why wasn’t Judah punished yet for the evil they were committing?” (Again just like today with many in the church believing sodomy, lesbianism, abortion, and so forth are actually approved of God)!
And in chapter 1:5-11 God answers the prophet and basically states “I am raising up the Chaldeans [Babylon] to do so.” (Today I believe His answer would be “I am raising up Russia and China to do so”). And then Habakkuk sets forth another question in response to God’s answer, and this is where we will enter into the text and look at . . .
1) The Complaint (Hab 1:12-2:1)
2) The Command (Hab 2:2-4)
I. THE COMPLAINT (Hab 1:12-2:1)
A. (v 12)
Hab 1:12 Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.
Here the prophet exalts and brings forth an attribute of God, His eternal nature, He is the One “Who was, Who is, and Who is to come,” Who is “from everlasting to everlasting,” we also ought to be about exalting our God, doing all things to his glory (1 Cor 10:31).
1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1. And in contrast to that, the faithful remnant of the nation is put forth, “we shall not die” speaks of them, and is probably an illusion to Habakkuk’s belief that they will not totally perish, for through them the Messiah and His kingdom, the eternal purpose of God would be brought forth, “for salvation is from the Jews” (Jn 4:22).
a. In like manner we who are of the faithful remnant today, ought to posses that type confidence, and know that all of God’s promises will ultimately come to pass (Tit 1:2; 1 Pet 1:4),
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
b. And we should look forward to it with great anticipation (Tit 2:13),
Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
c. Being prepared to give an answer to any person that asks us the reason for the hope that is in us (1 Pet 1:3; 3:15; 1 Cor 15:23),
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
2. Habakkuk here states that he realizes that the Chaldeans are to be the rod of correction from God for the wicked majority of Judah.
a. We also should realize that even to this day God still does chastise His children because (Pro 13:24) . . .
Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
b. Look at Heb 12:6-11. . .
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Heb 12:7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Heb 12:8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Heb 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
c. It is oftentimes hard to realize and acknowledge God’s sovereign rule over all (Job 1:21; Eph 4:6), but we need to, and reap the fruits from it, holiness and righteousness.
B. (v 13)
Hab 1:13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors (perverseness) and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
Here is the problem that Habakkuk does have, he somehow seems to think that because of God’s holiness and pureness, that He cannot use one more wicked than Judah (the Chaldeans) to do His will.
1. God indeed is good beyond compare, as the Lord stated (Luke 18:19) . . .
Luk 18:19 . . . No one is good except God alone.
a. But just because that God uses something that is evil, does not mean that He is in fellowship with it, but rather it shows forth His great providential power seen throughout the ages, those that do, and also those that don’t, submit to God’s will, are but putty in His mighty and loving hands, for there is but (Eph 4:6) . . .
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
b. How does He do it? Who knows? (Deut 29:29)
Deu 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
2. This same type of situation can be clearly seen in the account of Joseph and the evil his brothers perpetrated against him, which was but one of many pawns that God used to bring forth the salvation of mankind, of that event it is written (Gen 50:20) . . .
Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be (saved) kept alive, as they are today.
d. Joseph’s brother’s hearts were set upon doing evil to him because of pride and jealousy, this took place because God made humans in His image (Gen 1:26), one aspect of that is they have been given a free will, and oftentimes people exercise that freedom improperly, but God in His sovereign rule and foreknowledge, used that evil that good would ultimately result, He does the same even to this day, but only those whose eyes have been opened by the gospel of Christ are able to see this working of God, as it was spoken by our Lord (Jn 3:3) . . .
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
C. (v 14-15)
Hab 1:14 You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.
Hab 1:15 He brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad.
Here Babylon is pictured as a proficient fisherman, who in his conquest uses all the tools available to his disposal, and takes these less wicked as easy prey, who are likened to a unorganized group of fish, without a leader.
1. I think one problem that the prophet doesn’t see that we with God’s completed revelation should, is that there really is no distinction in wickedness in the eyes of God, sin separates man from his Creator (Isa 59:2), and that is the hurdle that God wants individuals to overcome through the power of the gospel.
a. Not that the faithful child of God can attain sinless perfection, but rather the habitual practice and desire for sin is taken away by that perfect Law (Ja 1:25) made for imperfect mankind. How? The same way as seen in OT (Ps 119:11) . . .
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
b. In the NT it states (1 John 3:9) . . .
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, (why?) for God's seed (God’s word; Lk 8:11) abides in him, (it guides and directs the one born again) and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. (it defiles his conscience in what he knows to be the righteous will of his Father and therefore drives him to repentance and confession)
c. Therefore we need to be continually feeding upon the word of God (His seed; Luke 8:11), that we might mature from infants unto full grown sons and daughters in His kingdom (1 Pet 2:1-2; 2 Tim 2:15a) . . .
1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
2Ti 2:15a Give diligence (study) to present yourself approved unto God,
d. Holding fast to the word and bringing forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15)
D. (v 16)
Hab 1:16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet; for by them he lives in luxury, and his food is rich (plenteous).
These heathen are pictured as rejoicing in their conquest, and then they sacrifice to these things that they believe brought their victory about, but we know from the scriptures, that it is Jehovah that rose them up, and made their victory possible, not these man made gods, because (Dan 4:25b) . . .
Dan 4:25b the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.
1. Today also, many believe it is the work of “their” hands that has brought them “their” victories, yet the scriptures teach that God is the One responsible for all things (Acts 17:25b; John 3:27; 19:11; Eph 4:6; Ja 1:17).
Act 17:25b seeing he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
a. They and we are work of His hands, therefore let us always give credit and praise where it is due ( Heb 3:4),
Heb 3:4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
E. (v 17)
Hab 1:17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever?
Therefore these that attribute their success to false gods, will God let them continue to reap destruction throughout the earth, those that bow down to the works of their own hands, will He not take issue with them that destroy those less evil and the few faithful?
1. And what about today, our nation and the rest of NATO is continually destroying smaller, weaker nations, seizing their assets, wiping out Christian communities that have been there for thousands of years under various lying pretenses in order to justify it to the masses, why are they allowed to continue in their wickedness, does not God care?
a. This is the same basic question brought forth by the psalmist in (Ps 94:3-11, turn there) . . .
Psa 94:3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked (triumph) exult?
Psa 94:4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
Psa 94:5 They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.
Psa 94:6 They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;
Psa 94:7 and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive."
Psa 94:8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?
Psa 94:9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
Psa 94:10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—
Psa 94:11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.
b. God’s answer to Habakkuk and to us is coming forth in the next chapter.
F. (v 2:1)
Hab 2:1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
Here the prophet waits for the answer which God will give, he even contemplates his next rebuttal to that which God will say, but the rest of the book teaches us that this did not come to pass, instead of a rebuttal; he gives God his rightful praise in the entire 3rd chapter of the book, may we also do the same (Ps 34:1).
Psa 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
1. Today there are those that would state “why does God allows tragedies to take place, does He not care?”
a. Those that attempt to place such assertions at the feet of the Almighty need to study the scriptures more diligently in order that they may understand and marvel at the wisdom of the Most High because He Himself states (Isa 55:8-9) . . .
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
b. Again, except one be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, he cannot understand the paradoxal nature of the kingdom and how it all fits together, but that is why Jesus came, that we might see, believe and obey (Jn 9:39) . . .
Joh 9:39 . . . Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.
c. That was a look into the “complaint” that Habakkuk brought forth to God, next we will look at God’s answer.
II. THE COMMAND (Hab 2:2-4) We need to understand when God speaks, it’s always authoritatively, He is over all (Eph 4:6), His answer, His word, “is” His command, they are synonymous, they are one in the same, this can be seen in 1 John 2:3-5, turn there . . .
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
There are many people that do not look at the NT as authoritative, but rather nothing more than a collection of love letters, yet that is not what an inspired apostle reveals, look at 1 Cor 14:37 . . .
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
With this in mind let us enter into our text . . .
A. (v 2)
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
Habakkuk didn’t have to wait long for the Lord’s answer, God instructs the prophet to write down the vision (i.e. the answer) in order that it may be preserved for future generations, this question of why God allows wickedness to prevail still is being asked today, but the answer is to be plainly spelled out, that after it is read, the reader may run or hasten to align one’s self according to God’s holy will.
1. And here it is in our very hands (the bible), the answers to why, and what our response is to be in any and all circumstances (2 Pet 1:3) . . .
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
a. The Divine knowledge given to us through the holy Scriptures contain at least in a general sense the answer to any and all questions, yet our minds will need to be renewed somewhat by the Holy Spirit through study and application of God’s word in order to properly perceive, and make full use of the living waters of His instruction, this is a process that should be taking place daily in the life of the Christian, for it is written 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:1-10; Tit 3:5). . .
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away (decaying), our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Col 3:7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
Col 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
b. The Holy Spirit renews us through that sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Eph 6:17) coupled with the events that take place in our lives, being thereby taught by God (Jn 6:45), in order that we might be more like God, to the end that we may be brighter lights in this sin darkened world and better fitted to be with God, in that eternal Day.
2. Let us also note that God’s word is “plain” it is for the most part “simple” so that when we read it we can understand it, this idea is also put forth in Eph 3:4 . . .
Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight (understanding) into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by (in) the Spirit.
a. God’s word is “plain”, “understandable” when read, the biggest problem lies with individuals not believing that it means what it says, so many look for others to assure them that it does not mean what it says, but I assure you God cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), and the scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35), thereby I encourage you to believe it, and obey from the heart, unto eternal life.
B. (v 3)
Hab 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
God states that the vision, the revelation that He is giving to Habakkuk would come to pass, the Chaldeans would indeed reaped what they had sowed, and that is what the rest of this chapter speaks of (Gal 6:7).
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
1. Even at the time of the writing of this book God’s providence was working through the upraising of the Media-Persian nation, who would destroy Babylon, bring the faithful remnant back, rebuild Jerusalem and the temple under Zerubbabel (which are yet to be destroyed) and establish yet another intricate piece of the fullness of time (Gal 4:4-5).
Gal 4:4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
Gal 4:5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
a. Again, for it is impossible for God to lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), and the scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35).
C. (v 4a)
Hab 2:4a "Behold (the proud; NKJV), his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
“The proud” is not italicized in the NKJV, but it should be, it is added to the text, yet I believe the thought is there, God recognized the prideful ungodliness of the Chaldeans, it is written (Pro 16:18) . . .
Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
1. Neither was God overlooking it, but rather He was making full use of it, to punish the unfaithful, and to ultimately deliver the remnant, base upon His perfectly laid out time-table.
b. The same is true today, God is allowing many things to take place, in order to give time, time for the gospel to be preached, and time for people to respond thereto (2 Pet 3:9).
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach (come to) repentance.
c. For the suffering that takes place in this world is temporal, but at the 2nd coming of the Lord, the suffering and the reward that is assigned at that time, will be eternal (Mt 25:46)
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
d. God is looking at the long haul and not so much at the short and ultimately insignificant setbacks, we also need to have this mindset, as did the apostle Paul in (Rom 8:18).
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
e. Here is the mindset we ought to possess as we watch God’s working unfold in us, through us, and around us (1 Pet 5:5b-6) . . .
1Pe 5:5b "God opposes (resists) the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
D. (v 4b)
Hab 2:4b but the righteous shall live by his faith.
And here is God’s answer, to those of Habakkuk’s day, and to those of our day, God would take the Babylonians out, they would never be a power again, but the remnant needs to be aware of God’s time table, and believe that what God said will come about, for it is written (Isa 40:31) . . .
Isa 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
c. And during one’s waiting for the Lord one is to live a life of faith driven obedience to His will, the faith that prompts one to obey is the faith that will save, one can look at example after example in Heb 11 (commonly called the hall of faith) and see that “by faith” individual after individual believed (possessed faith) and that faith prompted them to “do” the will of the Father (read Heb 11).
d. In the book of James this principle is clearly explained (turn to Ja 2:14-26) . . .
Jas 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
Jas 2:16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
Jas 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Jas 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Jas 2:20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was (perfected) completed by his works;
Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God.
Jas 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
e. And even today, the faithful (faith-filled) child of God will continue to live a life of faith-driven obedience to God’s word, and as always, that from the heart, not hypocritical obedience, Paul refers to it as the “obedience of faith,” the obedience that is the fruit of one’s faith, the epistle to the Romans starts with this concept, and ends with it (look at Rom 1:3-5; 16:25-26).
Rom 1:3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
Rom 1:4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Rom 1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
Rom 16:26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
f. It should be noted in our verse (Hab 2:4) that in most reference versions the translators give an alternate translation “faithfulness” for the word “faith,” in other words “faith” and “faithfulness” are interchangeable in this context, and every time that this passage (Hab 2:4) is quoted by an inspired writer in the NT (3 times - Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38) it refers to this same principle laid out here in the Book of Habakkuk (look at Rom 1:17)
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith (to) for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
g. In Rom 1:17 it means that the righteous will inherit eternal life by faithfulness to (believing and obeying) the gospel (turn to Gal 3:11)
Gal 3:11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
h. In Gal 3:11 it means that no one is justified by the Law of Moses, but again rather by his faithfulness to (believing and obeying) the gospel of Christ (look at Heb 10:38)
Heb 10:38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."
i. And in Heb 10:38 it means that when Christians suffer persecutions for the cause of Christ, they need to focus on the eternal, enduring , instead of succumbing to these temporal sufferings . . .
j. For we know that (Heb 11:6) . . .
Heb 11:6 . . . without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him
k. A person must “believe” first and foremost to be rewarded
3. And what is faith? (turn to Heb 11:1) . . .
Heb 11:1 Now faith is assurance (the substance; NKJV) of things hoped for, a conviction (the evidence; NKJV) of things not seen.
a. Faith, belief, scripturally speaking is the result or evidence of things hoped for, it is an inward conviction that leads to outward actions, and the source of a person’s faith comes from hearing, reading and studying God’s word (Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (God).
4. And this faith, faithfulness, is to be the basis of, to under gird all we do (Gal 5:6).
Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
5. But Hab 2:4b is best defined by the command given through John in Rev 2:10b . . .
Rev 2:10b Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
6. Therefore we need to be faithful, no matter what takes place, living lives in accordance with that perfect law of liberty, designed for imperfect mankind.
7. And the first step to living in one’s faithfulness is to express one’s faith by initial obedience to the once and for all time delivered Faith (Jude 3), the gospel of Christ, wherein . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This is how the Father plants the seed, the word within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4, 1 Thess 4:16-17); this is where that process of “being saved” (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) begins, when hearing and believing are brought together (Jn 5:24) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Yet one is to continue “by faith” to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, it is the result of godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:10).
And “by faith” one is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And so should you.
For the Lord himself said (Mt 10:32) . . .
Mat 10:32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
And also “by faith” one is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16); immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34); unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16);
And finally one is to “by faith” continue living a life of faithfulness according to the gospel of Christ (2
John 9), being renewed day by day, through study and earnest application of God’s ever abiding word
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Striving “by faith” towards perfection, completion of holiness, for we are called to be saints (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 7:1),
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
For the righteous shall live by his faith (faithfulness; faith-filled-ness).