We live by faith, not by sight. -2Cor 5:7. Paul’s statement is profound. By it, we know that our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is all we need for this Christian life as well. Likewise, Peter wrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” -2 Pet 1:3. The thing He gave us was the gift of faith. It is everything we need. There is only one caveat: We must learn to live by faith. That is a tall order! When Paul wrote, “…not by sight” we could also add the words, “…or smell, or taste, or touch, or sound.” Our humanity—the flesh—makes it hard to live by faith. For years and years, we learned to live by our senses and intensions. It was the only way we knew, and there are rich rewards for doing so in this world that worships the human body.
Before going any further, let’s look at the definition of faith, from Hebrews. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. -Heb 11:1
In his attacks on the church, Satan has distorted the definition of faith to include works. But faith only does one work: Faith believes God. Beyond that, I can tell you with the utmost assurance that your faith does not possess the ability to make you do anything. Furthermore, it does not know anything beyond the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. It is as simple as that. Paul wrote, “In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what He has freely given us.” -1Cor 2:11-12. Faith opened your eyes to the truth of who Jesus is. But this passage reveals that faith does not understand the thoughts and desires of God in any given moment. That is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, whom you received from the risen Christ when you believed.
If the enemy can get you to believe that faith is supposed to be doing works, you will get involved in works-righteousness rather than anything pleasing to the Lord. Consider also, “However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” -Rom 4:5 Thus, faith actually stops you from working, and enables you to trust God. The popular verse, “Be still, and know that I am God” is a statement of faith in action. Faith trusts in the Lord, and puts no confidence in the flesh.
But with so many demands upon us in any given day, how do we live by faith, and not by sight? Well, your faith believes that Jesus is Savior and Lord, right? So, we lean upon the Lord portion of what faith knows. Now a lord is one with absolute authority. Thankfully, the Lord we worship by faith is indescribably loving, so we can trust Him with all the moments of our days and the trouble each day may bring. To live by faith is to begin with worshipping your Lord, listening to Him through His word, and praying. To live by faith is to resist making plans for the day. If you must make plans, living by faith is to allow the Lord to change them or cancel them without resisting. It is to relinquish them to Him as you go through the day so that you see the events of the day through His eyes, not your own. He will do this for you, through faith in Him. Jesus said, “…in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world”-Jn 16:33. We are not supposed to lead the way anymore. As Jesus said to Matthew and Peter and so many others, including us, “Follow me.” By faith, His Spirit leads. The day is already known to Him; He will be your eyes, ears. Talk with Him as you go along.
Faith does not worry. When you feel that way, understand that it is coming from the flesh. There is no guilt in this, but knowing allows you to return to living by faith. Cast your cares upon Him, trust Him, and rejoice.
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