Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

We are encouraged to live by faith; does this mean that we should abandon our intelligence? We are told in scripture that the Just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4) and the just here are those who act in a righteous manner. So as we live by faith there are conditions that apply, namely we must act in a manner that is Godly with justice and equity. We are then constrained to try to act as Jesus acted and apply this principle to every area of our lives.

Justice is being even handed and fair. One definition of justice is “giving to each what he or she is due.” The problem we face is, knowing what is “due”.

Functionally, “justice” is a set of universal principles which guide people in judging what is right and what is wrong, no matter what culture and society they live in. Justice is one of the four “cardinal virtues” of classical moral philosophy, along with courage, temperance (self-control) and prudence (efficiency). Faith, hope and charity are considered to be the three “religious” virtues. Virtues or “good habits” help individuals to develop fully their human potentials, thus enabling them to serve their own self-interests as well as work in harmony with others for their common good.

The ultimate purpose of all the virtues is to elevate the dignity and sovereignty of the human person.

These are product of faith in God and what the writer Habakkuk alludes to when he states that the just shall live by faith. Living by faith is not just blindly following the word in ignorance, but applying the fruit of the Spirit to our everyday lives.

Today let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control be virtues you possess which emanates from a living faith in Jesus.

Read Hebrews 11