Live Daily By Faith

In the message "Proving Our Faith" we saw how our faith is revealed and strengthened as we walk through our trials. It's not surprising that we often discuss the importance of faith, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). If we desire to live a life pleasing to God, we must increase our faith and learn what it means to live by faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7
"We live by faith and not by sight."

The first step of faith is when we recognize our sinful condition, repent of our sin, and believe Jesus died so our sin can be forgiven. This belief in Jesus is not a result of what we see, but a result of faith - and without this first step of faith it is definitely not possible to please God.

As we continue our walk with Christ, He becomes more and more real. With each new step our eyes are opened a little wider and we are allowed to see a little clearer. The challenges of yesterday which required great faith have become easier to bear...for now we can see!

But the increase of Spiritual sight is not the same as an increase of faith. As our Spiritual sight grows, our need for faith in order to walk the same path is actually reduced. Less faith is required when we clearly see; "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). True faith always involves a confidence of the unknown, an assurance of what is unseen. This point is easy to misunderstand so stay with me here.

Our Heavenly Father desires to lead us in a life of faith. He continues to draw us into the unknown, for it is only in the unknown that we truly learn to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). And as the unknown becomes known, He will surely call us to take the next step and trust Him more.

Where is God calling us today? For some it's to take the awesome step required for Salvation through faith in Jesus; "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7). For some it's a step of trust for a burden which right now seems completely unbearable; and for some, it's a step into a level of service which appears impossible to achieve. Each of these require a step into the unknown, into a place we cannot see; but each is part of the great adventure of faith!

Though the unknown is sometimes uncomfortable and maybe even a little scary, being guided by God into what we cannot see is the essence of a life of faith - a life which pleases God. Until the day He calls us Home, we must continue to listen, step, and grow - we must continue to live daily by faith.

Steve,
Both of your messages on faith (today and yesterday) are very important for new "believers" and mature "believers" alike. Sometimes we confuse belief, trust, faith, knowledge, etc. James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder."

So what you are saying about needing less faith to walk the SAME path is true because we have seen that path before. What we need to remember when we are walking down a new, perhaps scary, path is Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." But our faith has increased because we have seen his faithfulness!
David Barnes

Steve,
You are also correct when you say the point is easy to misunderstand. I'm still turning this over in my mind becase faith is at the crux of the issue. Paul tells us by grace we are saved through faith (Eph 2:8) and that the righteous will live by faith (Rom 1:17).

So what exactly is faith and how is it different than believing there is one God (Jam 2:19)?

You gave us the verse that defines faith -- Heb 11:1. In the New Living Translation it reads, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Jesus implies that faith is measurable (Mt 17:20).

Therefore once something happens that we hoped for or once we begin to see things that were previously unseen, faith is replaced by fulfillment.

I think what I'm wrestling with is the concept that spiritual sight reduces our need for faith. I'm wondering if spiritual sight isn't evidence of increased faith/confidence/assurance.

One of the pitfalls that concerns me is the familiar path and assuming I know God's will without carefully listening for it daily. Your messages are extremely valuable to me for keeping "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" at bay! It may have been a familiar path that kept Moses from reaching the promised land. In Ex 17:6 he was told to strike the rock but in Num 20:8 to speak to the rock.
David Barnes

Hi David! The idea in this message is almost too difficult to put in a one page message. I'm trying to get across the idea that God is continually leading us to trust Him more and more - an ever increasing level of trust. And I don't believe this is the same as an increase in faith.

Here's an example - but it's a dangerous example because it mixes money and faith. I'm not a prosperity guy and I really don't like the way many preachers define faith in monetary terms.

If I had no money and I had to trust God for $10 per month. I didn't know how the $10 would arrive but I believed by faith that God could supply the $10. It would be a big step of faith if you had no experience with God's provision in the past. However, after you had seen God supply the $10 month after month, year after year, you would become very comfortable that God would always provide. You would clearly "see" His provision. In a sense it would no longer require an exercise of your faith to trust the $10 would arrive because you had come to expect the $10 would arrive - you would KNOW it would arrive. However, since we are to live by "faith", this might be the time to seek God and see if He is leading you to a deeper level of trust - calling you to exercise your faith. Perhaps (in keeping with our dangerous money example) He would call you to trust Him for $20 per month.

I guess I'm saying that faith is only exercised when there is a degree of uncertainty - and when I am certain of an outcome I do not need faith.

Maybe when I send out this message again I should focus on the "exercise" of faith. Maybe this would better explain what I am trying to say. What do you think?

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water [supply me with $10/month]."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water [each step = $10/month] and came toward Jesus [becoming very comfortable...]. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:28-31

Steve, in your message "Looking At Our Heart" you tell us that God looks past the external and directly pierces into who we are on the inside. I don't know if faith can be exercised or if it just needs to be refreshed on a regular basis, but it is a heart issue.

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" Lam 3:21-24.

David Barnes

Steve,
I've been reflecting on the nature of FAITH and asking the Holy Spirit to help me understand it. I think I have a nonverbal understanding but can't seem to find the words to express it, therefore my concern when encountering an expression that doesn't quite mesh.

I'm wondering if FAITH isn't like spiritual muscle...use it or lose it...so it needs to be exercised daily. Therefore, when you say "you would become very comfortable that God would always provide" couldn't you say that your spiritual muscles have developed so that becomes less challenging/fearful?

You preceded your example with a statement that God is continually leading us to TRUST Him more and more but that you don't think that an increasing level of TRUST = an increase in FAITH. How do these differ? Thanks for your help!

David Barnes