Epaggelia

For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:7

At least 28 times, the Hebrew writer tells us what people did by faith. Genuine faith is action which shows trust in some type of promise. That action is often referred to in the scriptures as “walking by faith”. A.W. Tozer said, “Faith is not a conclusion you reach; it is a journey you live”. Or another way to put it is that faith is not like medicine to take, but more like a muscle we should exercise. This doesn’t mean that the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 were really strong and perfect, they were actually weak and full of flaws, but they had hearts that led them to follow the promises of God into some kind of action! 

Abraham did not understand how God could keep his promise if he were to kill his son, but He believed God was able to do whatever He said – even if it meant that God had to raise Isaac from the dead. Therefore, Abraham obeyed God and offered his son. Walking by faith is being fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promised – not wavering at the promises of God (Rom. 4:20-21). Therefore, those walking by faith obey God.

Here are 3 very basic commands that should test our ability to walk by faith in obedience to God’s example in Jesus.

1. The royal law of love, Matthew 7:12 & James 2:8-9.
2. The law of Christ to participate in the gospel, 1st Corinthians 9:19-23.
3. The perfect law of liberty practicing pure religion and pure speech, James 1:25-27.

The promise of a blessing is very helpful in motivating us to walk by faith! It’s who we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going! William Cowper was a renowned poet who wrote in 3 languages but suffered mental illness and survived 2 suicide attempts in the 1760s, but he managed his healing with faith in Christ. One of his songs is “O For A Closer Walk With God”, wherein he emphasizes our need to walk in faith that Jesus is the light we need to survive the worst of darkness in our life, John 8:12. The last time Jesus walked by faith was with his cross on his back, even then, he collapsed! Do not expect walking by faith to be easy, sometimes we fall. When this happens, follow the example of Jesus, “deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow him, daily”, Luke 9:23.