Thursday, September 20, 2018 - How Important is Faith?
Since man sinned, faith has been an essential principal in man's redemption. "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 to them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). Faith is so vital in man's redemption that the gospel of redemption is called "the faith." "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for 'the faith' which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). Thus the objective basis of redemption is called "the faith." This ties together revelation on which faith rests and the essentiality of faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10: 17).
The obedience of faith is not only the way to heaven, it is the way of life here on earth. The folly of multitudes is the failure to understand this vital truth. One of the reasons so many in the church are so lukewarm in service and unhappy in life is that they think that faith has to do only with the way to heaven and that it has no connection with daily living. Many Christians may not be conscious of their problem but I think the previous statement well describes the trouble. Faith is a way of living as well as the way of salvation. Faith is to be exercised every day and in all relationships and activities. Faith is not something that is to be limited to the way one becomes a Christian and worships. Faith is to be a way of life at home, at work, and at play. In short, faith is the controlling principle of the life of a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:7 - Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight); we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Whatever the circumstances, the Christian must be of good courage because of the eternal hope he has. Paul taught the eternal hope, but in different terminology. Paul teaches that when one is in the physical body, he is not in the heavenly presence of the Lord. The opposite of this is stated in verse eight, which is still a part of this sentence.
When Christians are in heaven, they will literally see Jesus; however, at the present time they see him only by faith. Christians are walking by faith in this physical world. Paul teaches he is confident and not discouraged because of the hope he has. It is Paul’s desire to be with the Lord in heaven and to be absent from the physical body (Philippians 1:21). When Christians are in heaven, they will see God and Christ and not have to walk by faith (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12).