Luciusministry: How are we to walk by faith

How are we to walk by faith?

Because of the assurance of Christ’s resurrection, believers are expected to be walking by faith and not by sight, because without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re-warder of those who diligently seek Him, but how exactly is this being done?

To walk by faith one needs to know exactly what faith is, and it is stated quite clearly; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

The substance of the things hoped for that is called faith is complete confidence and trust in Jesus Christ, and the evidence of things not seen is the trust and confidence that all things are possible with Him. Walking by faith therefore is to think and believe like the apostle Paul who said; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And for it is God who works in you both to will, and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 4:13; 2: 13).

To walk by faith is to believe and practice what the scripture says about Jesus Christ, because the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:22-25).

To walk by faith one has to believe the scripture which says; “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:4-6).

To be walking by faith one is required to overcome at least six negative influences which are:-

a. Anxiety

We have been admonished saying’ “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

There is also the consolation which says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Let us not forget the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples which says’ “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34).

b. Despair/Despondency

This is a state of mind which normally stems from a condition of hopelessness especially when facing a crisis and having a dreadful feeling that nothing good can happen, or pining over losses of material things or loved ones. But regardless of the terrible loss we have been admonished saying, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."This sentiment is also echoed by the apostle Paul who wrote saying; “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Luke 12: Hebrews 13:5-6).

c. Disappointments

To walk by faith necessitates that we overcome disappointments because according to the scripture, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” And it is He who works in us both to will, and to do for His good pleasure.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph