Somewhere deep inside, faith isn’t just a feeling or a vague hope—it’s a radical way to live. When Paul talks about “the faith of the Son of God” in Galatians 2:20, he’s not referring to his own faith in Jesus, but rather Jesus’ faith itself—the perfect, unshakable faith with which Christ walked this earth. It’s an invitation to live by a different measurement, a faith that isn’t about striving but about resting in what’s already accomplished.
You see, the grace message isn’t about piling on rules or trying harder to be good enough. It’s about stepping into this incredible reality: Christ’s faith covers us, empowers us, and transforms us from the inside out. It’s not about our works or our striving, but about living by the very faith that Jesus Himself demonstrated.
Living in the Shadow of Christ’s Faith
Have you ever thought about what it means to live by His faith rather than your own? It’s a subtle but enormous shift. Most believers, even well-meaning grace believers, talk about “my faith” as if it’s something we muster up. But Paul points us in a different direction. The faith that saves, the faith that sustains, the faith that overcomes is “the faith of the Son of God.” It’s Jesus’ own faith—His absolute trust in the Father, His unwavering obedience, His unbreakable confidence in the promises of God.
What changes when you start living by that kind of faith? For starters, there’s no room for performance-based religion. No more beating yourself up because you don’t feel “good enough” or “spiritual enough.” Instead, every moment becomes an opportunity to rest in Christ’s perfect faithfulness. It’s like catching a lifeline and realizing you don’t have to swim against the current anymore.
Why Grace Makes All the Difference
This is where rightly dividing the Word of Truth really matters. The Old Testament law was about works and obedience, but the New Testament gospel is about grace and faith. Paul’s letters, especially to the church at Galatia, underline that we’re no longer under law but grace. And under grace, righteousness isn’t something we earn; it’s something that’s credited to us by faith—specifically, the faith of Jesus living within us.
So many get stuck trying to “make” their faith work, but that’s missing a key point. Faith isn’t a muscle you flex to earn God’s favor—it’s the channel through which God’s grace flows. Christ’s faith connects us to His finished work on the cross. The moment you grasp that, you realize how free you really are. You’re not trying to prove yourself; you’re simply walking in what’s already been secured.
What Does It Look Like to Live by the Faith of Christ?
Practicality matters—even when we’re talking about spiritual realities. Living by the faith of the Son of God isn’t some abstract theological idea. It’s a daily, moment-to-moment reality. When challenges come, doubts creep in, or fear tries to take hold, you’re not relying on your shaky confidence. You’re anchoring yourself in Jesus’ perfect faithfulness.
Imagine facing a tough decision. Instead of scrambling to figure it out on your own, you lean on the faith Jesus displayed—the confidence that God’s plan is perfect and will unfold according to His purposes. When temptation strikes, you don’t just grit your teeth and try to resist; you remember that Christ’s faith is living inside you, empowering you to overcome.
The Spirit’s Role in Walking This Out
Here’s the kicker: you’re not left to do this alone. The Holy Spirit is your helper, your guide, reminding you daily that you don’t have to muster up your own faith from scratch. The Spirit breathes life into the faith of the Son of God within you. This means the same faith that moved mountains, calmed storms, and faced death itself is accessible to you right now.
That’s wild to think about. The Spirit isn’t just some abstract force; He’s personal, active, and working inside you to produce the fruit of Christ’s faith. So, when your faith feels weak, it’s not a failure—it’s a chance for the Spirit to show up big and remind you whose faith you’re really walking in.
But What About Faith and Works? Aren’t They Connected?
This is where many stumble. The grace message doesn’t throw works out the window; it simply repositions them. Works don’t save you—they’re the fruit, not the root, of your faith. When you’re living by the faith of the Son of God, your actions won’t be about trying to be good enough; they’ll flow naturally as a response to grace.
Think of it like this: Jesus’ faith was never about striving, but about trusting. His works—the miracles, the teaching, the ultimate sacrifice—were the evidence of that faith. We’re called to mirror that life, not as a checklist but as a natural overflow of living in grace.
Wrestling With Doubt Without Losing Your Grip
No one’s faith journey is without doubt. Even Paul admitted to struggling with a “thorn in the flesh” that kept him humble and dependent. When you’re living by the faith of the Son of God, doubts don’t disappear, but they lose their power to shake you completely. Why? Because your foundation isn’t your own perfect belief; it’s Christ’s perfect faithfulness.
You might feel weak or uncertain, but the faith that Jesus demonstrated is unshakable. That faith is alive in you, holding you steady even when you can’t see the full picture.
What’s at Stake If We Miss This?
Imagine living the Christian life trying to muster up your own faith every day—like carrying a torch through a storm, constantly afraid it’ll go out. Exhausting, right? Or picture living by the faith of the Son of God, where the torch is already lit and held by someone else, and you just get to walk in the light.
Missing this distinction means missing the heart of the gospel. It means turning grace into a religion of performance and frustration. It means never fully stepping into the freedom Jesus paid for.
Want to Dig Deeper?
If this has stirred something in you, why not explore some daily encouragement rooted in Scripture? There’s a treasure trove of verses that reinforce living by Jesus’ faith on a site offering daily scripture inspirations. Sometimes the right verse at the right moment can reset your whole perspective.
Faith isn’t about what you can conjure up—it’s about whose faith you carry. And that truth? It’s radical enough to change everything.
Living by the faith of the Son of God is more than a phrase. It’s an invitation to stop trying to be good enough and start living in the unshakable reality of Christ’s perfect faithfulness. When you get this, grace doesn’t just become a doctrine but a daily experience. It’s walking a road where you don’t have to prove anything—because it’s already been proven. And that kind of faith? It’s not just good news. It’s life-changing.