True Christians, those have surrendered all to follow Christ, must not live their lives as the world does, but instead must place their full trust in the Heavenly Father for all things. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This includes all things that have to do with our lives to include, our needs, ministry, etc. Thus, we do not need to know who to minister to or at what time we must do so, where we must go, why we must go there, or even how we will get there. These are all things we must trust the Father has under control. He will use the power of the Holy Spirit to take care of these things for us. In essence, this is the very definition of what it means to walk by faith. Walking by faith means placing our total trust in the truth that God has everything under control at all times. “We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Thus, the key here is that we surrender our purpose and will to allow our lives to be governed by the Fathers' purpose and will.
Consequently, the Christian that walks by faith will find each day as a blessing and opportunity to serve the kingdom of heaven according to the Father's will. Therefore, we must make time each day to come before the Lord in our times of gladness, joy, sorrow, and trouble to share with Him the ups and downs of our lives. Furthermore, we can be sure that the Lord is always with those who walk by faith. Accordingly, if we stop and listen to the voice of God we will learn to see His power as He ministers to our feelings, emotions, wishes, desires, etc. at all times. “The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him. And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it” (Isaiah 30:20-21).
Hence, the true followers of Christ can find peace in the midst of any storm if they set their minds on things above, not on earthly things. “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). However, walking by faith is not always easy and especially difficult when we lean on our own understanding. We cannot live a life of “faith” based on human thinking. For example, one time when Jesus was sleeping in a boat His disciples who were with Him found themselves in the midst of a great life-threatening storm. “The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm” (Matthew 8:25-26). The disciples were reacting based off human understanding and failed to trust that God had the situation under control in spite of the storm.
Thus, Christians must learn to walk by faith and lean not on their own understanding. For those of us who have been chosen to serve the kingdom of heaven it is imperative to understand that this world is not our home. We are called to do the will of the Father and turn away from a self-serving life focused on this world. “So, do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done God’s will, you will receive what He has promised. For, in just a very while little, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:35-39). The world does not and cannot understand the meaning behind these spiritual truths, but we as Christians must live by them. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Consequently, the Christian that walks by faith will find each day as a blessing and opportunity to serve the kingdom of heaven according to the Father's will. Therefore, we must make time each day to come before the Lord in our times of gladness, joy, sorrow, and trouble to share with Him the ups and downs of our lives. Furthermore, we can be sure that the Lord is always with those who walk by faith. Accordingly, if we stop and listen to the voice of God we will learn to see His power as He ministers to our feelings, emotions, wishes, desires, etc. at all times. “The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him. And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it” (Isaiah 30:20-21).
Hence, the true followers of Christ can find peace in the midst of any storm if they set their minds on things above, not on earthly things. “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). However, walking by faith is not always easy and especially difficult when we lean on our own understanding. We cannot live a life of “faith” based on human thinking. For example, one time when Jesus was sleeping in a boat His disciples who were with Him found themselves in the midst of a great life-threatening storm. “The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm” (Matthew 8:25-26). The disciples were reacting based off human understanding and failed to trust that God had the situation under control in spite of the storm.
Thus, Christians must learn to walk by faith and lean not on their own understanding. For those of us who have been chosen to serve the kingdom of heaven it is imperative to understand that this world is not our home. We are called to do the will of the Father and turn away from a self-serving life focused on this world. “So, do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done God’s will, you will receive what He has promised. For, in just a very while little, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:35-39). The world does not and cannot understand the meaning behind these spiritual truths, but we as Christians must live by them. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
