One sentence, spoken to a troubled prophet, carried through the centuries until it reshaped how Paul understood his whole life. Walk it in two parts. Read the word, work the activity, then answer for yourself.
Habakkuk lived in a season of violence and injustice. He asked God two hard questions: How long? and Why? Then he did something deliberate. He resolved to take his stand at his watch post and wait to see what God would say (2:1). He stopped talking and started watching. God's answer came with an instruction: write the vision plainly so the one who reads it can run with it (2:2). Then came one sentence that would outlive the Babylonian empire.
Habakkuk 2:4In brief: the proud person is not upright within, but the righteous person lives by faithfulness.Read Habakkuk 2:4 in the ISV ↗
Two people stand in this verse. One is lifted up, puffed with pride and self-reliance. The other is just, and that person lives by steady, trusting faithfulness while the vision is still waiting to be fulfilled.
Tap a trait, then tap the column where it belongs. Sort all eight.
Paul opens his letter to Rome by saying he is not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Then he explains why, and he reaches back to Habakkuk to do it.
Romans 1:17In brief: in the gospel God's righteousness is revealed by faith, from first to last, just as Habakkuk wrote that the righteous will live by faith.Read Romans 1:17 in the ISV ↗
By faith from first to last describes movement. Faith is where it begins, and faith is how it continues. The righteousness is God's, revealed to the one who trusts, and that trust keeps growing. Habakkuk's word to a prophet waiting on a watchtower became Paul's word to a whole church.
Tap the words in order to rebuild, in plain words, the line both writers proclaim.
Writing from prison to the believers at Philippi, Paul lists everything he once counted as spiritual profit (3:4–6). By the standards of his day, his record was flawless. Then he says that whatever was gain to him, he now counts as loss for Christ (3:7–8).
These are Paul's own credentials from Philippians 3:5–6. Tap each one to move it from “Gain” to “Loss,” the way Paul did.
The ledger is cleared. Here is what Paul wanted in its place:
Philippians 3:9In brief: Paul wants to be found in Christ, not holding a righteousness of his own from the law, but the righteousness that comes from God through faith.Read Philippians 3:9 in the ISV ↗
Built from the law and my own record. Earned, tracked and defended. This is the soul lifted up in Habakkuk 2:4.
Received through the faith of Christ. It is given, so I rest in it instead of guarding it. This is the just who live by faith.
Found in Christ is about location and identity. Paul no longer wants to be found standing on his résumé. He wants to be found standing in Christ. Identity is intentional: Paul chose where he would be found.
Habakkuk 2:4While waiting for God to act, the just one lives by steadfast faithfulness.
Romans 1:17God's righteousness is revealed by faith, from first to last. Faith is the start and the path.
Philippians 3:9Paul tells his own story: he lays down his own righteousness to be found in Christ.
Choose an answer to see why it is right or wrong.
Habakkuk wrote the vision plainly. Do the same. Where are you depending on your own record, and what would it look like to live by faith there this week?
I AM what I cultivate.
Faith is not a single moment. It moves from faith to faith, and the just keep living it.