THE EFFICACIOUS NATURE OF FAITH WALKING -- Tomorrow:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7)
Devotion 3 of 24
DEFINITIONS
"For we walk . . . "
In Scripture, our manner of life is depicted as a "walk." This is an appropriate word because life is directional, and therefore requires the involvement of our persons. We have some ultimate objective, and are headed some place. For some, the goal is wealth. For others it is pleasure. For others it is a career. For still others, it is to be "ever with the Lord," and "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (1 Thess 4:17; Psa 27:1). Those with this ambition earnestly desire to be presented "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24). For them the prospect of hearing the Lord say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" is everything (Matt 25:21,23). However, when it comes to an eternal destiny "with the Lord," we are not being carried along, or brought to such a glorious haven independently of our own involvement. Further, progress is being made in relatively short increments – like steps. The process of advancing toward this envious goal is referred to as "walking."
When we speak of the "walk of faith," we are referring of a manner of life. It is maintained at the daily decision level, a dimension that is motivated and maintained by faith. Objectives, delights, responses, and expressions are all dominated by personal faith in God – a faith that comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). The point of our walk is not merely to cover a lot of distance in a short time – although that may happen. The real aim is to arrive at the appointed destination!
Walking is not undirected strolling. It is not wandering aimlessly, or being blown here and there by the varying winds of circumstance. The walk of faith is a pilgrimage through this world, with the aim of finally being a source of glory to God "throughout all ages, world without end" (Eph 21). In Christ we are really citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20-21), and are therefore constituted "strangers and pilgrims" in the world (1 Peter 2:11). Those who are walking by faith "abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul." They do so because they are walking through an alien world in quest of their true homeland.
FAITH
" . . . by faith . . . "
Faith essentially has to do with the unseen realm. It perceives a God that is "invisible," dwelling in light that no man can "approach" (1 Tim. 6:16). Faith is not concluding from tangible evidence that living for God is wise. That is not faith! Faith is launching out toward heaven without any earthly reason for doing so, and with no visible support for the activity. It is taking God at His word, believing that this world is going to be destroyed, and that there is an unseen world that will ultimately be revealed – a domain in which "dwelleth righteousness" (2 Pet 3:13). What can be seen militates against faith, and is generally at a variance with the realities faith perceives and holds.
Faith is substance! Other versions translate the word "substance" as "assurance" or "persuasion." I believe there is a reason why other translators use the word "substance." It is true that faith is the assurance that the message of the Gospel is true FOR US! Faith does involve a settled persuasion of the realities of God, Christ, and our eternal inheritance. But faith is a stronger word than that. Faith goes around the senses, convincing the heart without involving the senses. The convincing is not a delusion or wishful thinking. Faith substantizes spiritual realities to the soul, convincing the believer of both their realness and accessability. Thus they become even more real than things that are seen and touched, for they are eternal.
Faith is evidence! The world considers evidence something "in the hand." The "evidence" of the lush fruitage of Canaan was the sample grapes of Eschol (Num 13:23). They were very real grapes that could be seen, touched, and tasted. They were proof of what was in the promised land. The "evidence" of Abraham's wealth was the treasures Eliezer delivered to Rebekah, her brother, and her mother (Gen 24:53). The "evidence" of Christ's resurrection to Thomas was the Lord's hands, feet, and side (John 20:28).
However, to the child of God, faith itself becomes the evidence. When the reality of the things of God bursts upon our spirits, that is our "evidence" of their reality, and of their availability to us. Faith is, after all, a most marvelous and effective thing!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the persuasive power of faith.