Walking In Faith

Christianity centers on the word “faith”, but the subject is often muddled in the minds of believers. What does it mean to “walk in faith”? It has taken me a long time to understand.

[Before we get into the topic at hand, let me remind you of the Easter message I gave last year, since it’s that time of year again:]

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Even the demons “believe”

In a modern system framed by Atheism, many assume that “faith” is the acceptance that there is a God, while others claim it means believing that Jesus was a real person who did everything recorded in the New Testament about him. That is certainly important, but look at what the Bible itself says:

(James 2:19) You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Demonic spirits believe there is a single God, and shudder at the thought of Him. And although spiritual beings were created with a perspective into the divine realm that we lack, the point is clear: we will not receive credit for simply accepting that God is real, or that there is only one God. The difference is what you do about it.

Satan’s servants not only believe that God is real, but they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was given the Kingdom of God to rule. They work against him actively, and hope in the success of their conspiracy, knowing that they have limited time. If they thought that Jesus was a fraud, or a nobody, wouldn’t they pour their combined efforts elsewhere? Instead, they are obsessed with undermining the truth of the Bible, because they believe, but still hate the Truth.

James is criticizing Christians who sincerely adopt the correct beliefs, but neglect to put that worldview into practice in the real world. This is why it’s called “walking” in faith. Walking is not idle. It is forward progress, made by decision-making, commitment, and effort. Peter walked on the water by faith (Matthew 14) and did not simply stay in the boat and believe from afar. He partook in the miracle.

Eyes to see

Once we understand that “faith” is not about some intellectual stance, but rather about personally getting involved in the risky business of God’s Kingdom, we are mobilized to “walk in faith” every day, trusting that events will work out for the best, even if they seem to be getting worse. I do not mean a happy ending in this life. It is much more about a unique lens by which to see everything, in real time. We see (“by faith”) that God is working in our own lives, and in the world, whereas others only see chaos, confusion, and the logic of circumstances. So it is not because we are intellectually superior and have learned how everything works that we see God’s working, but rather because our instinct has changed: we now interpret everything as being pieces of a great puzzle that God is putting together before our eyes, invisibly. We are simply one of those pieces.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

• Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God."

• Ephesians 2:8-10 – "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… created in Christ Jesus to do good works."

• Colossians 2:6-7 – "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him."

• Hebrews 11:6 – "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

• Hebrews 11:8 – "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."

• 1 John 1:7 – "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin."

• 1 John 2:6 – "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked."

To walk in faith is to let go of rational calculation, and trust that God has command of the whole world, and especially of our own lives. Even the most menacing situation is in His hands. We have nothing to fear at all. God has a plan for us, and that plan goes far beyond this little life. Suffering and death are not punishments, but a test of our commitment and a testament to our faith, so that we can be credited with it for eternity.

Salvation is the first step. Then comes grace. Then comes trust. Then comes transformation. Then comes opportunity. Then comes reassurance. Rather than arguing about “salvation by works” or “salvation by faith”, we should think of salvation as merely our entrance into God’s amazing project, to which we are being dedicated. In order to serve this Kingdom, we must have enough faith to see the world as an ongoing undertaking of angels and men, and to see ourselves as an active participant, guided by the Holy Spirit and Scripture.

Have faith. Know that as the world descends deeper into madness and evil, the plans of God are being completed exactly as He intends, and you are uniquely invited to get your hands dirty speaking the truth, exposing the lies, and helping where opportunity arises. Do not be too eager to do “good works” or force anything. Not every day will bring opportunities. God lets us live ordinary lives as well, and just as suddenly He can throw us into a crazy situation that we could never have dreamed of, even if we had planned it. Watch and wait, speaking to God and listening for answers. Enjoy the work, and have fun with the absurdity of life when it happens; every servant of God will experience absurdity, if he or she is blessed enough.

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