“As you believe the truth, you will access the grace to walk in the truth”

— Clint Byars

We can’t obey God in our own strength. We can’t please God in our own faith. In fact, like Jesus, we can do nothing of ourselves regarding spiritual fruit. Thankfully God gives us grace to live the abundant life. God’s grace teaches us to live holy. And grace strengthens us to rise above sin and failure. When properly accessed, God’s grace becomes everything we need to live a godly and fruitful life.

We must use faith to access grace. Keep in mind that faith is a response to what God has done in Christ. Faith is not your own capacity or strength to believe. Faith does not convince God to give you grace, grace is always available. Faith acknowledges that we are weak, and He is strong in us.

Faith says yes, Jesus, you already paid the price and have already given it to me by your spirit. Now I’ll renew my mind and remind my heart that Jesus is enough. We can then expect grace to come alive in us when we live by faith.

Another key component to living by faith is knowing that you are already justified. If you approach God like the prodigal son, feeling worthless and unqualified, your heart will not be receptive to the good things God has for you that you can receive by faith.

The Just Shall Live By Faith

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.

The just shall live by faith, but you must know that you are justified to approach God for grace confidently. When you believe you are justified, you'll live by faith. When you live by faith, you'll access grace. When you access to grace, you will live by his spirit and obey him from the heart. You must be convinced that you are justified through the blood of Christ so you will remain confident before God and not disqualify yourself from receiving from him.

Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Our faith is not in our faith, it’s in him. Living by faith is not living by the strength of my ability to believe. Living by faith is living persuaded of all that Jesus has accomplished on my behalf. If I am facing something in life that Jesus affected on the cross, I have the right to believe that what Jesus paid for should be the reality in my life rather than the temporary circumstance I may be facing.

As we stand in grace, by faith in Jesus, God’s logos will manifest in our lives and change things. The nature of spirit will change this physical world. This world was designed to be influenced by God’s spirit. God has now placed his spirit in you, so you have the power to influence the world for the Word’s sake. No matter what you see, keep believing that God’s spirit is at work and manifestation is in progress. Like a tree in the winter that will eventually grow leaves and bear fruit, so will the heart that lives persuaded of the finished work of Jesus.

Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

But again, a key to living by faith in Christ to access grace hinges upon your confidence that you are justified. It’s vital that you know the Gospel and continually persuade your heart of it, so your heart will be receptive to the influence of God’s spirit.

Romans 3:21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

YOU WILL LIVE BY FAITH WHEN YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE JUSTIFIED AND RIGHTEOUS

YOU WILL ACCESS GRACE WHEN YOU LIVE BY FAITH

YOU WILL LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN EVERY AREA THAT YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS

BELIEVING THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH IN HIM, AND THAT YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, SHOULD RESULT IN A HEART THAT THINKS SPIRITUALLY AND CONTINUES TO LIVE PERSUADED OF THAT FINISHED WORK, WHICH RESULTS IN WALKING IN GOD’S INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

Jesus Lived By Faith

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

How do you live on the Word’s that come out of God’s mouth? How do we live under the influence of this unseen spirit that is active in our lives?

Knowing the written is paramount. The living Word of God is in you, but it will verify the written Word. Jesus went to the written Word, and it became strength for him. You can do the same thing.

You can go to God’s Word and feed on it, and it will become strength to you. Think of the situations you need God to move in your life and then discover what Word you need to live by. Not just in practice but for strength. Do you trust that planting his Word in your heart and mind will be strength and life for you?

It takes faith to believe and experience the fruit of God’s word in your life. But your faith doesn’t make it work, it simply aligns your heart to experience what is already seeking to grow into your life from God. So faith is more about assuring your heart in the promises of God, it’s not about trying to get God to move for you. Faith is assurance that God keeps his promises and Jesus already qualified you for them.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2 This is why the ancients were commended. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see!!!!

Meditate in His Word until His promises and what He says is possible is more real than what you’re facing. Use it as a lamp to light your way. Feed on it to think spiritually, so you'll stay in faith and live by every word that God gives to your heart, which ultimately is his grace working in you. Then you will be led and taught by God.

We Live By The Faith of Jesus

Allow me to add one more layer of nuance to faith. When we are born again, we place our faith in Him to be saved. From then on, we have the capacity to be empowered by His faith. Faith is a gift (grace) from God that works just like wisdom or a word of knowledge. The gift of faith will arise from your heart when you take the time to persuade your heart of the character and trustworthiness of God.

When the gift of faith comes alive in your heart, you can do what Jesus did. You can follow and obey God as Jesus did. When you allow yourself to be empowered by the faith OF Christ, you are truly living by faith

Galatians 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith OF the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

DON’T NEGLECT GRACE GO TO HIS WORD TO RENEW YOUR MIND AND BECOME EMPOWERED AS IT BECOMES ALIVE IN YOU.

When faith access grace, it becomes power for us.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Believing that you are righteous by faith in Christ and that you are justified by His blood will result in a heart that thinks spiritually and continues to live in Christ’s finished work. You can not live the abundant life Jesus came to give you in your own strength, you need His grace.

When you live persuaded of your righteousness in Him, your heart will apply His Word, and you will follow Him and obey Him. Do everything you can to stay in faith toward God and expect His grace to be alive within you; when you are weak as well as for everyday living. Trust in Him for everything. Know His Word and apply it to your life’s circumstances. When you live this way, you will see God’s blessings and promises overtake your life beyond your wildest imagination.

I pray you watch the full sermon above. As always, this article is a snapshot of a much bigger picture in the sermon. I pray it’s a blessing to you.

Watch the whole series LIVING UNDER GRACE on YouTube.