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I. DESCRIBE THE JUST MAN OF THE GOSPEL.

1. The term "just" not used in its comparative and popular sense. It is so used sometimes in the sacred Scriptures, as in Romans 5:7. There are those who are "just before men." Their words are true, their promises faithfully kept, their actions irreproachable. Measure them by the Divine standard, and they dwarf down to nothing; see them as God sees them, and all their righteousness is as filthy rags.

2. Not in its strictly legal sense. There was a time when there were just men on earth; that time was brief. There are just men "made perfect," but they are before the throne of God, and serve Him in His temple. There are none on earth now.

3. The term is used in the evangelical sense — justified.

(1) Not to make just. The term is a law term, and has a proper legal meaning, which is,

(2) To pronounce just (Deuteronomy 25:1; Romans 3:4; Exodus 23:7). How, then, can it apply to us? We give the satisfactory reply in the language of the apostle (Romans 3:21-24).

4. This declaration is connected with the faith of the justified person. Luther at one period suffered so much from a sense of sin, that his health rapidly gave way. An old monk entered his cell and spoke kindly. He knew little but his creed, which contained something that gave him comfort, and he said in his simplicity, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins." Luther repeated, "I believe in the forgiveness of gins." "Ah!" said the monk, "you must not only believe that David's or Peter's sins are forgiven — the devils believe that. The commandment of God is, that we believe our own sins forgiven. Hear what the Holy Ghost says: 'Thy sins are forgiven thee.'" He renounced the thought of meriting salvation, and trusted with confidence in God's grace in Christ Jesus.

II. THE LIFE HE ENJOYS. He "shall live by faith."

1. Observe the import of this assurance. "There is, then," said Luther, after studying these words, "for the just another life than that possessed by the rest of men, and this life is the fruit of faith." What is that other life? The elements of life are(1) Sensation and perception. There is a world of sense for the natural man; there is an ideal world of speculation for the philosopher; there is a spiritual world for the believer. It has another sun, other produce, other inhabitants (Hebrews 12:22, 23). It is life to see this spiritual world, and faith is the eye that sees it (1 Corinthians 2:9, 10).

(2) There are vital functions which are necessary for its support. A tree or an animal live because they can derive nourishment from the material world. "As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Christ says, "I have meat to eat which the world knoweth not of," and He promises to His disciples that He will give them the hidden manna. How different are the Bible, the sanctuary, godly discourse, sermons, means and ordinances to the believer and the unbeliever! All these exercises are conducted by faith.

(3) There is activity. The missionary Luther was distinguished for his zeal. The Thessalonians from whom the Word sounded out. The heroes in Hebrews 11. all worked by faith.

(4) There is enjoyment. Healthy life produces enjoyment. This is a common use of the term "life" as distinguished from mere existence (Romans 5:1-5). Whence we see that true happiness flows from faith.

2. The truth of this assurance.

(1) God has said it (Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 1:5).

(2) He has provided for it (Colossians 1:19; John 14:19; Galatians 2:20; John 1:16).

(3) History and experience prove it. Whenever Christ has been exalted, the Church has lived. Do you not feel that as you look to Him you live?Application:

1. Sinner, are you dead? This voice bids you live by faith.

2. Let believers cleave to this doctrine.

(The Evangelical Preacher.)

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KJV: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

WEB: But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."