We Walk By Faith

We live in the present moment. We forget the past, strain forward, and press on. We live by the Spirit. We keep in step with the Spirit. We are God's workmanship. We are more than conquerors. We are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth. We are blessed. We walk by faith.

"for we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

The beatitudes end with Jesus telling the crowds they will be blessed when they are persecuted, which sounds like, to me, how James begins his letter in James 1:2-3. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." If a Christian wants to become a mature Christian, he will have trials that will require faith in order to endure them. I like the Amplified Version of this text because it states more clearly what trials do: "Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience." James tell us in verse two that trials prove our faith.



If we as Christians climb the beatitude ladder to its height, we will have many, many trials -- some public, some private, some within ourselves, some with other people, some with believers, some with non-believers, some with family, some with friends, some with acquaintances, some with complete strangers. You can rest assured, you will have trials. And I believe from my own experience, and that scripture substantiates it, that the more mature you want to become, the more trials you will have. Whether we want to believe it or not God and Satan work hand-in-hand to carry us on to maturity. God tests while Satan tempts at the same time, but with God's permission. God knows just how much I can bear, whether I know it or not. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be temped beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" -- endure it. The word for endure here means "to bear by being under, bear up (a thing placed on one's shoulders)." I get a visual here of a body-builder lifting weights in order to have stronger muscles. Trials and temptations are God's way of building our spiritual muscles. Will we be faithful? Will we persevere? Will we go onto maturity by enduring the trial?


James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." The test, my sisters, is life, all of it. Yes, there may be many tests along the way; but this passage implies there is only one: the test of life (singular) in this world, this side of heaven. Here is where faith kicks in. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Faith is the beginning. I must have faith this side of heaven in order to endure 'til heaven.


Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:5 to "Add to your faith goodness; etc., etc. It all starts with faith.


"We walk by faith" is the next step in our spiritual journey in 2010.

(part one)