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The Just Shall Live By Faith

by Joe R. Price

After nearly forty years of wilderness wandering, an entire generation had died because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19). During that time Israel had fed each day upon manna from God. They had been protected from the normal wear and tear of a nomadic life would bring (Deuteronomy 8:3-4). He had defeated their enemies and directed their journey (Numbers 21:1-3).

But now, as they must journey around Edom on their way to the promised land, they become discouraged and complain against Moses and against God (Numbers 21:4-5). God's hot displeasure is displayed by the fiery serpents He sent among the people. Many people died in this divine judgment (Numbers 21:6).

But there was a way of escape. The people confessed their sin and Moses prayed for the people (Numbers 21:7). God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. When an Israelite was bitten by a serpent, he could look at the bronze serpent and live (Numbers 21:8-9).

Why didn't the Lord just remove the serpents? While we are not told, we can deduce one thing: here was an opportunity for men to show their faith in the word and power of God! If they wanted to live, and they believed God had the power to save them from death, they looked at the bronze serpent. And, they lived - just as God promised they would.

They lived by (or because of) their faith. Their faith was responsive, submissive and obedient. Unless their faith moved them to obey the word of God, they would die in unbelief.

This is the same kind of faith which saves us. Like that bronze serpent, Jesus was lifted up on the cross to save sinners from the eternal death brought on by sin, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15).

What kind of faith brought life to the Israelite bitten by the serpent? An obedient faith. One that did what God said (look at the serpent). What kind of faith brings life to one who is lost in sin? An obedient faith. One that will take Jesus at His word and do whatever He says (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus says when we have been "bitten" by sin we must believe He is from above and confess our faith before men, repent of our sins and be baptized for the remission of our sins (John 8:24; Matthew 10:32; Luke 13:3, 5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Then we, by faith, shall live (Romans 1:16-17). A faith that will not obey is a faith that will not save (James 2:14-26)!

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