We live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us “We live by faith, not by sight.” In other words, we grow in faith as we make decisions which seem illogical in that they have little if any basis in reality.
The step of faith rarely seems prudent. Prudence contemplates what can be perceived with the senses. Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1 means being certain of what is not seen. Because we are physical beings living in a spiritual world, we need faith as a navigational aid.
Much of Jesus’ discipling efforts were directed toward helping his followers rely on faith. Over and over again he pointed out those who exercised their faith or those who did not.
How do we know when to exercise faith? First, we must be clear about His purposes and passions. They are a reliable guide to action. Second, we must listen for His voice. He will tell us when to act. Third, we must look for His hand. If He is at work, faith may safely impel us to join him in his work.
Steps of faith tend to seem to be big and periodic, whereas prudence should be ongoing in its impact. Faith frequently flies in the face of what seems prudent. But prudence should not be allowed to contravene what faith has apprehended. Not once do we see Jesus exclaiming over the prudence of a follower, but repeatedly he lauded those who saw with the eyes of faith. When faith speaks, prudence must be turned off. The walk of faith is always imprudent.
Most Christians live their lives having given lip service to faith. They never learn to trust the goodness of God and they never learn to hear the voice of God. So it is that when the guide rails of a comfortable existence are removed that the goodness of God can be made manifest. Sometimes in the crises of life, we lurch about, crying in desperation, “God where are you?” Only to be startled into a state of spiritual wakefulness when He answers, “I am here.”
While we, by nature, don’t want to have to trust a God we cannot see or understand, we are happiest when, having trusted Him, we have found Him trustworthy. Doing so at the time may have seemed imprudent, but in retrospect seems at once sage and courageous.
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This is one of my favorite verses:
Faith = Life
Sight = Existence
There is so much in “sight” that assaults the faith-life, what Paul called the “fight of faith.” That’s what I so appreciate about your blogs: they stir my faith, not my sight. Thank you, and keep ’em coming!
Dear Brother,
I am Waseem Yousaf from Pakistan. I have studied your web site, and I found it the most wonderful site to get righta to the True Word of God. My suggestion for you is to create your material in my language of Urdu and Punjabi also. It will bring lots of blessings of the Word of God for the Pakistani and Indian Urdu and Punjabi speaking people. For that purpose I as a translator will bring your material into Urdu languages and into Punjabi language as well. Although it will take your low expenses as well, as fund for the Word of God to reach out to the deserving people. I my self, work on a local radio station also. Many times it becomes difficult for us to keep doing this because of being minorities and because of the lack of the financial resources. I will wait for your response.
Sincerely,
Waseem Yousaf ( Pakistan ).
I found your site very useful. I found out more explaination on the topic (for we walk by faith, not by sigth) it the ECWA topic of the year in Nigeria. I am very bless with what i read.
I found your site very useful. I found out more explaination on the topic (for we walk by faith, not by sigth) it the ECWA topic of the year in Nigeria. I am very bless with what i read.
Thanks, please look up Angus Buchan/shalom ministries/MMC it was an event where more than 300 000 men gathered at Greytown South Africa in the name of Christ.
I agree that most Christians never learn to trust the goodness of God and they never learn to hear the voice of God. I too struggle with this. It is difficult for me to Be Still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) There is a plan. I just need to stop and listen.
I too am struggling to live by faith becuase I am distracted by all that I see. Even though the word of GOD promises me that HE is with me, my emotions get the best of me and I questions if GOD is good and if what HE says in HIS word comes to pass no matter the plans of men. Thank you for this teaching
Very good. I have shared this on my facebook
Hi. I am glad to share in the glory and the mercies of G0d that are new everyday. I used to have a fl0ating faith, trusting in G0d 0ne minute and the next minuteI doubting all His promises. By the grace of my L0rd JEsus all that is in the past and my faith matures every day. The HOly Spirit is my helper and guguides me all the away. Our God is in control. We jumust just keep trusting
I too feel what you talking about. It’s a fight for me every day and I too question my beliefs. But stay true to myself and know the difference if right or wrong and doing everything I can to make my family comfortable showing them no matter what happen during our lives we still are blessed when we wake up the next morning and giving another chance to have faith. So stay strong I believe now after my struggles they taught me to be strong and completed another day. That’s where our Faith comes in to our hearts. God bless and stay strong remember the fight your fighting us all for a purpose it’s faith!