Ep 153 - What Does it Mean to “Live by Faith”?

What is the relationship between faith, the law, and our standing before God? In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 4 to explore the "redemptive arc of history" and how the Old Testament substantiates our New Covenant realities.Using the life of Abraham as a foundational case study, we discuss why Paul points back to the patriarch to explain justification. We examine the crucial distinction between living by the law and living by faith, and how God’s grace is woven through both.In this episode, we discuss:The Progenitor of Faith: Why Abraham’s justification occurred before the law and circumcision were ever given.Justification Defined: Understanding our legal standing and identity as being "declared righteous" through faith.Law vs. Grace: Why the law is actually a gift of grace meant to point us away from ourselves and back to God.Lessons from Abraham’s Potholes: How to handle moments of wavering faith and the hope found in God’s steadfast promises.Our Greater Revelation: The comfort of knowing that the same God who worked through Abraham’s "shadow" revelation now works through the full revelation of Jesus Christ.Connect with Us:Visit our website: focusedonchrist.com to submit your questions for future episodes.Read Ahead: Next week, we’ll be diving into one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible: Romans 5.About Focused on Christ:A ministry of @HeritageBaptistChurch dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church.______0:00 – Introduction and the continuity of the Old and New Testaments.1:15 – Context: Justification by faith in Romans 3.3:00 – Abraham: The progenitor who entered relationship with God by faith.5:30 – Defining Faith: Believing what God has revealed.8:00 – Circumcision as a seal, not a source, of righteousness.10:45 – Living by Faith vs. Living by Law: Avoiding legalism and antinomianism.13:20 – How the Law acts as a gift of grace.15:15 – Reconciliation through faith vs. Justice through the law.17:40 – Handling moments of wavering faith and Abraham’s "potholes".20:10 – Closing: The comfort of our greater revelation in Christ.