“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Heb. 11:3)
I am going to say something here that I believe almost everyone who reads it will agree with, but few will voice these words, and even fewer care to consider them.
Faithful believing is quite easy, acting in faith can be more than difficult, it can be downright frustrating.
Think here on all those of the Old Testament that the Almighty spoke to directly, either by audible words, dreams, visions, angels, even many in the few short years after our Lord’s resurrection received personalized visits in some form. And please do not read the following words in a derogatory or offensive manner. For they are not intended as such, but what do we get?
“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2nd Cor. 5:7)
Even if we entertain angels, we do so in an unaware state that they are angels. No audible voice from the Almighty, dreams and visions possibly, but you had better be sure it’s not just your fanciful imagination. We see through a glass darkly these days, these last two thousand plus years, and we are meant to.
“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1st Cor. 13:8)
They ceased because we are supposed to live by faith, not sight.
So then, what are we to base our actions of faith upon, a feeling? A premonition? An emotion that says, “I think the Holy Spirit is leading me in this direction?”
We like to think that if it is the will of God for us, then all the pieces will just fall into place, don’t we? And if the Most High decides that unfair charges are brought against us, if malicious lies about us are believed and we are cast into prison, what then?
I am not saying that all we have is the Word of God to go upon, we have the Holy Spirit within us, and He does more than comfort us. But consider this, have you ever moved in faith solely for the glory of God in perfect, unswerving faith, knowing without a single doubt that what you plan to do is exactly what He wants you to do?
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1st Cor. 10:11)
This may sound over simplified to you, but it is wisdom. Steps of faith require faith.
There are people out there who honestly believe they were called to be pastors, and many of them speak to basically the same people decade after decade. There are those who go to the mission field who could have been more profitable in another area, and there are those who fear to take steps of actions in faith, just in case they may be wrong.
What leads me down those stairs twice a day to pick this pen up, my desire to seem profitable, or the Holy Spirit?
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
Alright then, how much fruit should we bear?
Believing in faith for those who are hid in Christ comes quite easily most of the time, moving in faith, acting upon your faith is an entirely different thing. Ten coins received ten more, five received five, but look what happened to the one who received one.
By faith, not sight, not needing to see one healed, not needing to be present when one is born again, not needing to witness a miracle.
Just by faith.
It’s a hard read sometimes, isn’t it? Not knowing for sure, acting so to speak on a feeling we like to call a prompting. But I will guarantee you this, if you do not take steps to act upon your faith, you may end up being unprofitable.
