Living by Faith and Walking by Faith: Are They the Same?
Though the phrases “live by faith” and “walk by faith” sound similar, they are not identical. They share a common foundation—faith in God—but they emphasize different aspects of the Christian life.
To put it simply:
- Living by faith refers to the foundational reality of how a believer stands before God—faith as the principle by which one receives and maintains spiritual life.
- Walking by faith refers to the daily practice of relying on God—faith as the active principle that guides a believer’s choices, actions, and endurance.
While one focuses on identity and position (living by faith), the other focuses on behavior and practice (walking by faith).
Living by Faith: A Matter of Righteousness Before God
The concept of living by faith comes directly from Scripture. The key verse is Habakkuk 2:4, which says:
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”
This verse presents a contrast:
- The proud trust in themselves and are not right with God.
- The righteous trust in God and, as a result, live by faith.
This principle is so important that it is quoted three times in the New Testament—Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38—each time emphasizing a different aspect of what it means to live by faith.
- Romans 1:17 – Faith as the Means of Justification
- Paul says, “The righteous shall live by faith,” showing that righteousness before God is not obtained by works but by trusting in Christ.
- This is foundational to the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide).
- Galatians 3:11 – Faith in Contrast to Works
- Paul repeats that “the righteous shall live by faith” to emphasize that no one is justified by the law.
- He contrasts faith with works, showing that righteousness is imputed, not earned.
- Hebrews 10:38 – Faith as the Means of Perseverance
- The writer to the Hebrews quotes “the righteous shall live by faith” in the context of enduring trials.
- True believers will persevere in faith rather than “shrink back” to destruction.
From these passages, we learn that to live by faith is to trust in Christ for salvation, receive His righteousness, and continue in that faith for the entirety of life.
The Ongoing Nature of Living by Faith
Living by faith does not just mean believing once and then moving on. It means continually relying on Christ in every moment. This includes:
- Trusting in Christ’s finished work rather than our own performance.
- Looking to God’s promises rather than our own understanding.
- Depending on God’s grace rather than our own strength.
Faith is not just the entry point into the Christian life—it is the way the Christian life is sustained. We live by faith every day, just as we began by faith.
Walking by Faith: A Matter of Daily Obedience
While living by faith speaks of our standing before God, walking by faith describes our daily conduct. The key verse here is 2 Corinthians 5:7:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
What Does It Mean to Walk by Faith?
Walking by faith means that our decisions, actions, and attitudes are governed by trust in God, not by what we see or feel. It means:
- Relying on God’s Word even when circumstances seem contrary.
- Obeying God even when we do not understand everything.
- Enduring trials with confidence in His promises.
This is contrasted with walking by sight, which means living according to what appears to be true based on circumstances, emotions, or human reasoning.
Biblical Examples of Walking by Faith
- Abraham – He walked by faith when he left his homeland without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8).
- Moses – He walked by faith when he chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the riches of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-26).
- The Israelites at Jericho – They walked by faith when they obeyed God’s command to march around the city, trusting that He would bring the walls down (Hebrews 11:30).
Walking by faith requires trust in God’s character and promises, even when obedience is difficult or the future is unclear.
How Living by Faith and Walking by Faith Relate
Though distinct, living by faith and walking by faith cannot be separated.
- Living by faith (our position before God) enables walking by faith (our practice before men).
- Living by faith is about trusting in Christ’s righteousness; walking by faith is about demonstrating that trust through obedience.
- One who truly lives by faith will necessarily walk by faith.
To illustrate:
- Living by faith is like a tree being rooted in good soil.
- Walking by faith is like that tree producing fruit.
A tree cannot bear fruit unless it is first alive, and a tree that is alive must produce fruit. Similarly, a Christian cannot walk by faith unless he first lives by faith, and a Christian who truly lives by faith will walk accordingly.
Application: How Do We Live and Walk by Faith?
Since faith is central to the Christian life, how do we cultivate both living by faith and walking by faith?
1. Grow in Knowledge of God’s Word
Faith is not blind—it is based on God’s revelation. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
- To live by faith, we must know what God has promised.
- To walk by faith, we must obey what God has commanded.
2. Trust in Christ, Not Yourself
Many struggle with assurance because they focus on their own performance rather than Christ’s finished work.
- Living by faith means resting in Christ’s righteousness.
- Walking by faith means obeying because we trust that He is sufficient.
3. Pray for Greater Faith
Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but it is also something we must exercise and grow in. The disciples asked Jesus, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), showing that we should pray for the same.
4. Obey Even When It’s Hard
Walking by faith means acting not based on emotions or circumstances, but on God’s truth.
- This might mean sharing the gospel despite fear.
- It might mean tithing even when money is tight.
- It might mean forgiving even when we don’t feel like it.
Obedience strengthens faith. The more we walk by faith, the stronger our faith becomes.
Conclusion
Living by faith and walking by faith are distinct but inseparable. Living by faith refers to our righteousness before God—trusting in Christ’s finished work for salvation and continuing in that faith. Walking by faith refers to our daily conduct—acting in accordance with that faith, trusting God even when we don’t see the full picture.
The Christian life begins with faith, is sustained by faith, and is completed in faith. We are saved by faith, we live by faith, and we walk by faith. And by God’s grace, we will finish the race by faith.
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