Living by Faith

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Living by Faith – a common Christian saying. We hear it often. We say it often – “I’m living by faith.” What do we mean when we say those words?

I would venture to say that those words are powerful and difficult. I spent some time in Hebrews, chapter eleven as I thought about living by faith.

Hebrews 11:1 reads “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.”

In other words, faith is not some wishy-washy feeling. It is substantial. It is the basis for our hope, and it verifies or serves as proof for the things we have not yet seen.

Faith gives me access to God’s grace by which I am saved. Salvation is not according to anything that I have done but only through God’s unmerited favor paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I access this redemption through faith (Ephesians 2:8 – 9). I trust Him. That is saving faith.

Then I live by faith.

As I read through Hebrews, chapter eleven, several truths about faith become evident.

·       By faith, the elders in the Old Testament obtained a good report.

·       Through faith, we understand that God created the world by His word.

·       Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Those truths are in the first six verses.

Then, begins the roll call of faith as God lists heroes that lived by faith, and we start to catch a glimpse of what living by faith cost them.

·       Abel, who died because he offered a better sacrifice than his brother

·       Noah, who preached for over one hundred years without a convert

·       Abraham, who left his home without a roadmap for where he was going

·       Sarah, who gave birth in her nineties

·       Moses, who suffered with the stubborn Israelites rather than rest in the luxuries of Egypt

On and on the list goes until it ends with “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:37 – 38).

These people lived by faith before the promise came, before Jesus.

I never read those words that my heart is not stirred and convicted.

When I live by faith, the faith that gave me access to God’s grace is lived out in my life daily. It has substance. It is evident in my actions. That’s why James said “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone” (James 2:17, KJV). Living faith shows out, acts out. Living faith can’t help itself, because Living faith has access to the Living God.

When I live by faith it shows

·       in my attitude

·       in my countenance, my demeanor

·       in my activities

·       in my response to trial

·       in my expectations

·       in my hope

·       in my compassion for others

·       in my generosity

·       in my patience

·       in my kindness

·       in my willingness to serve others

·       in my joy in a dark world

When I live by faith, I don’t live in response to my circumstances but in spite of my circumstances. I trust God with the outcome.

That’s why Abraham could leave his home without a roadmap and why Moses didn’t kill the complaining Israelites. That’s why the church has continued for over two thousand years, even though Satan continues to shoot every dart in his arsenal against it.

God’s people live by faith. They continue by faith. They aren’t perfect, but they have faith in and serve a perfect God.

If you have been saved by faith, are you living by faith today? Are you trusting Him to be your light and protection in this dark world? Are you following His way even when, like Abraham, you can’t see the end of the road?

Each morning is a new day to surrender to His will.

Living by faith, fully surrendered to the will of the Father – that’s when life gets exciting.

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Father, thank You for saving me, for granting Your grace that redeemed my soul. You are so good and so kind. I want to live by faith every day of my life, trusting You, fully surrendered to You. In Jesus’ name I pray.