Walking by faith
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7). The word “walk” is a verb (an action word) meaning we are going someplace. When you add the word “faith”, it takes on a new meaning. Walking by faith cannot be measured by feet, yards or miles. It is a spiritual journey. In this lesson I want to look at that journey in three ways.
A journey with direction
Walking by faith means we are moving in a spiritual direction. There is nothing about the Christian life that is haphazard, it is a life lived by faith (Romans 1:17). Hebrews chapter eleven was written to commend men and woman for their faith, and then there is this: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2). In short, do not lose sight of why you are walking by faith.
A journey with confidence
Walking by faith provides a spiritual assurance that says “I know”. The words of the apostle Paul were written with that assurance. “…I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed…” (II Timothy 1:12). A biblical faith that comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) is a faith based upon evidence given to warrant our trust, and that kind of faith produces confidence. “I know” are huge words in this spiritual journey.
A journey with a destination
Walking by faith means you know where you are going, a destination that is not connected to this world. The patriarchs recognized that their lives were lived as pilgrims, confessing they were strangers (foreigners) on earth (Hebrews 11:13). Just so, Christians are not of this world (John 17:14), like the patriarchs we are foreigners here. We are looking for that which is to come, a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10).
Walking by faith means at least this; you are moving in a spiritual direction, with a confidence that says, I know where I am going. You may not be able to measure my pilgrimage in feet, yards or miles, but I will walk until I reach the journey’s end. Are you walking by faith tonight? If you are a Christian, do not lose sight of the goal. Keep your faith until the journey’s end!
If you are not a Christian, you need to obey the gospel, and here is how:
- You must hear the word (Romans 10:17).
- Believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16).
- Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30).
- Confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32-33).
- Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).