Living by Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb.11: 1-2, 8-16).
Emmanuella, a 28 year old graduate five years post graduation is believing God for two things, a job and a husband. Temitope, a 23 year old undergraduate is believing God for the same thing. Emeka at 36yrs is still hopeful for a career in the banking industry though he is just in 200 level in the university. Chisom is “living the life” far away in “Oyinbo man’s land” smoking, drinking, womanizing while his parents are agonizing daily in prayer for the redemption of his soul.
At 46 years, Gift just got married for the first time in her life and is believing God for the fruit of the womb, whereas, at 47 years Funke a born again is yet to be approached by a suitor after 22 years of praying, fasting and living a life of chastity.
Every human being in life, has a problem, lives with a problem, or is a problem. Therefore, everyone needs a solution or a solution provider. In the morning we wake up and get out of bed because you believe your legs will carry the weight of your body today as it did yesterday, so without thinking twice about it, we stand up on our feet and get out of bed. Is this faith or fate? Let us stretch our minds a bit further. Is it FATE or FAITH that makes one succeed in life?
HEBREWS 11 : 1
Now Faith IS the ASSURANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen. From our text, we come to the realization of the following:
Faith is never in the past tense, meaning it is living and therefore growing.
Faith yields positive results all the time.
Faith requires patience, sacrifice.
Faith accepts God’s decision as final and damns the consequences regardless of whatever they are (Daniel 6: 10, 16 & 23)
Note that the Christian life, is one lived by faith, faith in Jesus Christ leading to salvation, faith that God raises the dead, faith that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. The life of faith is a life of testimonies, because it’s a life that believes in God who makes ALL things possible (Mark 10: 27), in His time if only we would wait. Habakkuk 2: 3 tells us God’s good plan (Jer 29: 11) for our life would eventually come.
The life of faith is a life of delayed but certain, eventual gratification because God himself has promised it. God is the guarantor who makes it all worth it.
Faith is therefore, holding on to whatever God says and acting upon it, whether visibly evident or not (Luke 5: 5). Living by faith means taking ALL of God’s word as ALWAYS relevant and applicable to ALL areas of your life at ALL times and in ALL places, therefore depending on God’s word as the sole means for daily survival. Living by faith means therefore living by the Spirit of God, and this is only possible if you have taken the first step of faith, by surrendering your life to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Some who choose or prefer to be led by their senses and act only on what they see, know or can touch should not be surprised if they end up in frustration as there is nothing in this world of sin, depravity and decay that uplifts man’s heart. He who chooses to lift himself by his shoe straps should also be prepared to face the reality of the Law of Gravity.
Have a week of fruitfulness and stress-free productivity as you walk and work by faith in Christ and not by sight.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede