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Such an understanding of the force of the word in Hab. 2:4 obviously makes Paul's use of the
text in the NT possible. Both Habakkuk and Paul are talking about regularly trusting in God and
His word. The difference between what Habakkuk wrote and what Paul wrote concerns the result
that consistent faith produces in the life of a person. Habakkuk tells us that a person can live
through difficult times if he/she will only consistently trust God. Paul tells us in Romans that a
person can pass from a state of spiritual death to a new state of spiritual life by consistently
trusting in God and His word. He also indicates in Galatians that habitual trust in God and His
word is the key to growth in spiritual maturity. This emphasis on consistency of trust reminds us
that faith is not merely a one time mental assent to God's word. It is instead a dynamic and
habitual response of dependent trust. Such an under-standing of faith will also go a long way in
reminding us that there is little danger of contradiction between Paul's emphasis on justification
by faith and James' teaching of the importance of works that are produced by authentic faith.