“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:24)

So far, we’ve learned how to know what God wants,

1. Direct commands & statements.
2. Approved Examples.
3. Implications & Necessary Inferences.
4. Silence, when God gives no command.

Today, let’s talk about walking by FAITH and not by sight. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7).

I’ve written about FAITH before in the article “Lord, Increase our Faith” Sept 04, 2022. To summarize…

Faith is the FULL BODY of God’s revelation. Jude 1:3 “The faith once delivered.”

Faith is ACTION based on the information. James 2:14-24 “justified by works and not by faith only.”

Faith is INSISTENT on standing firm. Hebrews 11:24-25

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; [25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”

Faith is Believing and TRUSTING in the results from keeping God’s word. Colossians 2:12. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Faith is HOPE that the Lord will reward those that keep His word.

Hebrews 11:1, 6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Faith is listed among the 9 spiritual gifts early saints could receive during the writing of the New Testament (1Cor 12:8-9; 13:2; Matt 17:20).

These several senses above all combine to mean FAITH. Where there is no word of God there can be no faith in God. This is an unquestioned teaching of God’s word. (See also John 20:30-31; Rom 10:17: Eph 3:1-4) If therefore, God says nothing concerning a given course, there can be no faith. Since we are to walk by faith, it follows that in any matter whatsoever in which we are not directed by the word of God, we are neither walking by faith nor pleasing God.

To walk by FAITH is to act upon God’s revealed word, the faith, and not by opinion. If people are seekers of God, they will seek His will before acting, rather than acting and hoping God will sanctify the actions.

One man said it this way about a particular religious action he had taken. “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong. I just do my best and ask God for mercy.” If you don’t know if it’s right, then DON’T DO IT. There’s a principle that speaks directly to this; “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).

Let’s state it another way. God accepts no gratuitous service in matters to be rendered exclusively to Him. Man possesses an undeniable right to exercise his own judgment in the management of his personal affairs, as long as he does not violate any principles of moral correctness or righteousness. Man is guided in his personal life by God’s moral law and is given liberty to make individual choices under generic authority live, prosper and enjoy (1Thess 4:1-12; 1Tim 6:17; 3John 2).

However, In the service to be rendered exclusively to God, He has legislated. He has ordained the worship to be rendered to Him, and human wisdom must neither add to, take from, nor in any way modify what he has prescribed, otherwise those who do so are walking by their own judgment, and not by faith. Let’s review a few examples…

Water Baptism has been commanded by Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-36; 22:16; 1Pet 3:21). Who are we to alter it or even hint that one can be saved without it? Note the urgency of Baptism in the book of Acts. “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33).

Adoration in vocal song (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Who are we to do what God has commanded not by introducing instrumental music? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The Lord’s Supper is given to be observed by the assembled local church (Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1Cor 11:17-34). Who are we to move it to a digital venue, or a cruise ship vacation, or to any other place of convenience where there is no local church assembled? The idea that any group of Christians is a church is false. (see Matt 18:16, a distinction is made between a 2-3 individuals and the church)

We are commanded to Keep the faith “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim 4:7), and to Keep God’s commands (1John 5:3). Who are we to tell anyone that they may be saved without obedience to the faith, or that they can never fall from grace? “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb 12:15).

“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Rom 1:5).

We must walk by FAITH, not by the sight of our own opinions.

Agape,

Spencer