Christian Living

We Walk by Faith

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
10/15/20
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“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

From the dictionary, we learn that the definition of belief is an acceptance that a statement from someone is true or that something exists. Faith is defined as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something usually not seen. These definitions are close, but there is a difference. Taking the definition that belief is true, faith is the action one takes of their belief. An example will be that if I believe a chair will hold my weight when I sit on it, that is good. But by faith, I prove my belief by actually sitting in the chair. Faith is taking action on what you believe to be true. Another way to view it is if I was moving from West Virginia to Florida, and along the way, someone asked me where I was from, I would answer Florida. I have not been to Florida, but it is where I am from because that is where I am going to live. I have never seen Florida’s beaches, but I believe they exist, and I am going there to rest on the beaches that I believe are there.

For our purposes, faith is the action that we take based on our belief that the Word of God is the truth. If we do not take action on God’s Word in obedience, people will question if we believe God’s Word. Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) When we believe God’s Word is the truth, it is only reasonable for us to live on those words as truth. Even if what we believe cannot be seen, we live as if it is there. Has any man seen Heaven? No, but we believe and live as though it is real. By living as citizens of His Kingdom, we prove by our actions that our convictions of faith are real to us and that Heaven does exist.

We cannot please God if we do not prove our belief in His Word by our faith’s actions. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Having faith and living by our faith is an absolute requirement in our belief in God. If we do not prove our belief by the faith we have in His truth, then what is it that we believe?

What is the faith that we, as followers of Christ, are required to have? The writer of Hebrews gives us a great definition of faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman Christians, gave another insightful point to faith. “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)

Abraham is called by some the father of faith. Abraham believed the Word of God and acted on that belief in faith. As a result of Abraham’s faith, God accounted it to him as righteousness. Faith then assured Abraham’s place in the Kingdom of God. Faith for the Christian is believing what God says and living on it in faith. That faith is what pleases God. When we tell our children to do a particular chore, and for that, there will be a reward. They obey in faith that our word was true. When God tells us to do something, and there will be a reward, we do it in faith that His Word is true. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Luke 18:17)

Another example that we see from Abraham is that our belief is not just an intellectual exercise but is a deep conviction that motivates our core and drives us to take action upon what we believe. Our beliefs must result in action based on those beliefs by walking in them by faith. If our beliefs do not cause actions through faith, then we will have no good works to show for our efforts. Being a Christian is not a passive sport. We are not spectators, and God did not save us to be slothful but to do His Kingdom’s work. We do this work by faith in His Word. As James tells us in his letter. “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:20)

Jesus had made plans for us before the foundations of the world, and He has chosen us to complete that work. It is planned and prepared, and all He needs is for us to do it with faith in His Word. This work is our purpose and what we were created to do. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Adam and Eve’s sin was faithlessness. They didn’t express God’s Word by faith but instead chose to believe what could be seen. They saw the tree, they saw the fruit, and they saw the serpent and thought it to be good and ate the forbidden fruit. This sin, this disobedience to God’s Word, broke their intimate relationship with God. Because of this faithlessness humanity, today cannot walk with God or be in His presence. The loss of righteousness has placed a barrier between man and His Creator.

Satan is an example of faithlessness. Satan and his demons believe in God, they believe in His Son, but this is not saving faith. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19) Believing in God is not enough; it requires faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) The grace of God saves us through our faith in His Word. That Faith requires action, as faith that does not result in good works is useless.

The evidence of our faith is that which we believe to be true, God’s Word. As we hear the Word of God and believe to act on faith, our faith produces the evidence because His Word is true. Chapter eleven in the book of Hebrews is called the “Hall of Faith.” It is a testimony of those who’ve gone before in faith and did mighty good works of the Lord. Most of them suffered for their faith, but all of the mighty works done through them are recorded history today. Chapter eleven is their testimony of what God has done through them and with them. Faith adds credence to our testimony and is the example that we can have a secure belief in God’s Word, for it is true. Hebrews twelve begins by stating that we can have the same confidence in the Word of God because of their work. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

From time to time, God will bring us to a brick wall to test and strengthen our faith. He led the Israelites out of Egypt to the banks of the Red Sea. Their faith was tested with their back to the sea and the armies of Pharaoh closing in upon them. There they grumbled and wondered why they had left Egypt. How many times do we hit brick walls and think it would be better to return to the bondage of sin? Moses, a man of faith, said to the people. “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14) The Red Sea’s waters were parted by the hand of the Lord, and the Israelites were saved.

Do we place our faith in this passing world? How many times has that faith been disappointed? Our faith is in the Word of God, it is a saving word, and we will be upheld in the righteous right hand of our God the Creator. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant. April 18. 2018