2 Corinthians 5:7- Walking By Faith

I recently read that an African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall.

Why?

The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. So, zoos can take advantage of this behavior by using low, solid walls or moats that obscure the landing area.

The symbolism is rich and powerful. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see. With faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that fearfully hinder, halt, or hold us captive.

The apostle Paul who encountered many obstacles in ministry, personal pain, persecution, rejection, and misrepresentation by false teachers, offers a simple mantra that guided his life. It’s one all disciples must embrace.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

#1 Faith Empowers us to Courageously Stand.

Satan will assault our faith and assail us with tantalizing temptations, spiritual trials, and physical troubles to cloud our sight and cause us to lose focus. It is then, we must by faith stand up against the Devil’s devises.

Ephesians 6 portrays the Christian as a soldier, putting on his spiritual armor to fight against the enemy. Three times Paul says “to stand.” Stand against Satan’s schemes. Stand up for Jesus. Stand for Truth. Faith allows us to stand strong. Firm. And courageous. Even when we cannot see what lies ahead.

#2 Faith Enables us to Lovingly Obey.

A. W. Tozer was right when he wrote, “Faith that does not lead to obedience is not faith at all, but a disguised form of rebellion.”

Walking by faith goes beyond saying, “Lord, Lord.” It issues itself in doing the Father’s will. (Matt. 7:21-23). Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15).

This attitude leads us to trust and obey not only when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. When it’s mentally challenging. When it’s emotionally draining. When it’s physically demanding.

Charles Spurgeon expressed it this way. “To trust God in the light is nothing–but to trust Him in the dark, that is faith.”

#3 Faith Energizes us to Boldly Pray.

Because Jesus is our Great High Priest who understands our frailty and empathizes with our feeble feelings, He provides access to the Father’s throne. The author of Hebrews admonished, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

We can boldly pray because our faith is in God’s power, not ours. Indeed, as William Cowper put it, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”

#4 Faith Encourages us to Confidently Hope.

The prolific author anonymous wrote, “Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future.”

The Bible reminds us that we have “one hope,” that’s promised by the Father, centered in Christ, the cross, and the empty tomb, and revealed and described by the Holy Spirit. It is called a good hope. A blessed hope. A better hope. And a living hope.

This little 8 word passage packs a lot of power. And leaves us with much to ponder. And more in which to find assurance when we can’t see over the wall.

Indeed, “Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible” (Corrie ten Boom).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman