I remember as a child we would sing a song very often called “Living By Faith.” It is an old hymn that was first printed in a church hymnal in 1918. It is a song that teaches us to live by our faith in God. In Hebrews 11:1 faith is defined as, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” To have faith is to have unwavering confidence in something or someone. Each of us has faith in something or someone, but our faith in Jesus Christ is the only faith that will take us to Heaven.
What does real faith look like? Real faith does not worry about tomorrow. When our confidence is in the one who is in total control, we can have peace in our hearts. Paul teaches us this truth in Philippians 4:6-7. That does not mean that we will not have problems. Peter teaches us that we will have trials and our faith will be tested. I have heard it said many times a faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. In I Peter 1:7, it will be tried with fire, this refers back to the gold mentioned. The way to purify gold is to melt it down to separate the impurities out so you will have only the gold, the valuable part, left. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we will have troubles in this world but when we have our faith in Him, we can overcome them when our faith is in Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I Peter 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it is tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
We also find in the Bible that those who are just shall live by faith. The promise of our eternal life is only promised based on our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is telling the Galatians that we are not justified by the law but by our faith. God is a just God and He has every right and the authority to judge us according to our actions, but because our sins would bring judgment, God made a way to stand before Him as just. When Jesus is our Lord and Savior God looks on us just as if we had never sinned. This is the faith we must have to be declared just and enter Heaven.
Galatians 3:11 “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Living by faith is placing our full confidence in the finished work of Jesus. We are confident that God will do as He said He would when our life here is finished. He will take us to Heaven to live with Him for all eternity.
Living by faith assures us that whatever trials we face, God will be with us and help us to face hard things that happen in this life. In Hebrews 13:5 he tells us He “will never leave us or forsake us.”
Living by faith will carry us through whatever difficulties life can throw at us. It will give us inner peace that God is in control, and He will do what is best for us. Do we always understand what God is doing or why He is doing something? Absolutely not, but when our faith is firmly placed in Him, we can live above the circumstances rather than allow them to dictate our lives. Living by faith is the only way to live a life filled with inward joy, peace, and hope that will carry us into eternity.
