Sometimes we make the word of God simple – sometimes it is NOT that simple. Example – Paul says, The Righteous will live by faith. And we say, “oh yes, I will live by Faith, and I ‘got saved’ and now I’m going to heaven, there I live by faith.” But it is MORE than just that. Put it in the context of vv14-18 – go read that – Paul’s “faith living” affected all of his life and certainly his ministry. Look at 5 things about Living by Faith in Paul’s life.

1. He was eager to preach the Gospel because he lived by faith and that is an obligation. He was obligated because God had done so much for him. Also because God had told him that his job was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. So he had faith in his obligation, it was not a choice but a debt.
2. He lived by faith in the Gospel itself. This wasn’t just a story, it was Good News. It was life changing. If the gospel can change me, it can change anyone, and so Paul had faith in the gospel.
3. Paul lived by faith in the Power then of the Gospel. He said I’m not ashamed of the power (dynamis = miraculous power, mighty strength, ability) Do we have faith in the power? I think like some people are “practical atheists”, that is they believe in God, but live as if God doesn’t exist. In the same way, some are ashamed, practically, of the gospel. We don’t share because we don’t have faith in the power.
4. Paul lived by faith in the Righteousness of God available through the gospel working in our lives. Pual will build that case throughout this letter, but he believed that while we are righteously bankrupt – yet God can impart righteousness to all through faith in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says the message of the cross is foolishness… but it is POWER to the one who is saved by it
5. And then Paul lived by Faith in the REALITY of the Wrath of God. We are ALL sinners and God’s wrath is revealed as the condition of our destiny without Christ. It’s not a possibility it’s a current condition. Jesus says in John 3, I came because you are already condemned. We must know and believe that this is an eternal problem for every child of Adam – and yet the first 4 things that Paul lived by – The Righteousness of God, imparted by the Power of God, Revealed in the Gospel of God, by Faith in God, gives Salvation from the Debt of Wrath! And as one living in that blessed position, I have an Obligation to Tell Somebody Else