“…the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” - Gal. 2:20b
Paul was certain that the way to live his daily life as a believer was by faith.
Of course, he knew he sinned. In fact, he goes so far as to boast in his weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). He knew that deep in his heart were the same roots of sin that had led him to be a blasphemer and violent aggressor (1 Tim. 1:15).
So what did Paul do to overcome these dangerous things that he confessed were in his heart? Did he fight them by trying to NOT think or do them? Did he muster up strength to remain righteous?
No - Paul says that he lived each day by faith. Faith was the root of the life and righteousness of Paul.
When he was tempted to sin, he turned, not to human effort, but to faith. And the faith was specific - it was faith in the love of Jesus for him, and the death of Jesus for his sins.
Paul lived by faith in the reality that in love, Jesus had died for all his sin! Why was this the key? Because it removed the temptation immediately. The love of Christ, and His death for Paul’s sins on the cross melted his heart and made him long for righteousness.
Paul understood that all righteousness was a byproduct of that faith, and so his main goal was faith, first. From that place of faith, he knew the many many commands of the New Testament would not be ‘burdensome’, as John said (1 John 5:3).
But without faith, Paul knew that he was going to sin (Rom. 14:23), just as the author of Hebrews knew that without faith, it is impossible to please God (11:6).
For us, the great need when we are tempted to sin is not to try to tamp it down with human strength. Instead, we must confess that temptation to God - acknowledge our sinful motives or desires. From there, we discover that, in spite of our sin, Jesus loves us and has died for that very sin - that temptation, or lust, or bitterness. We’re already forgiven.
Forgiven, and loved, we find strength and joy to turn from sin and live righteously — a byproduct of our faith.
