We Walk By Faith By Dr. Mack Jones Hebrews chapter eleven lists some of the past great champions of faith, and has been called the hall of faith — in the opening verse faith is defined as: “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is the strong conviction based on our history with God that his greatest and utmost in life will surely be ours in due time. George Mueller wrote: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” There are two words that best describe faith: firm and fixed. These two unparalleled qualities necessitate a guaranteed beginning and ending point. The starting point of faith is to believe in God’s person — he is who he says he is. The ending point is to believe in God’s promises — he will do what he says he will do. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises, even though we don’t see those promises materialized yet, we demonstrate true faith. The writer to the Hebrews calls him, “the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2 Hebrews 11:6 states this: “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.” Now, what’s important to remember is the fact that just believing that God exists means absolutely nothing to him. Because as James 2:19-20 very clearly points out this is exercise in futility: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” The belief of demons in the existence of God cannot reverse their fate! In other words, God will not settle for an insufficient and inadequate recognition of his mere existence by us. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship that will transform our lives — and those who assiduously seek God will find that they are crowned with the ultimate prize, his intimate presence. Far too many people make the mistake of placing their faith in the performance of God — and there is no question that he has the power and might to make it happen, for Paul emphatically affirms: “God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask, or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) However, we need more importantly to place our faith and trust in the person of God because he is a God of integrity and immutability. Walking by faith in God — rather than in his ability to perform, leaves room for God to be God, and does not box him into acquiescing to what we think that he should do for us. Moreover, we will never be disappointed with God, if we don’t get our way, when we understand that he is sovereign and can do what he wants and still be God. Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race is perceptive and insightful when he suggestively writes: “Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.” The Bible says: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) Further, we read in 1 Samuel 15:29: “The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.” Principally there are two permanent and perpetual things that are true about God — his nature and his promises. God is the embodiment of all truth; consequently, he cannot lie... and because God is truth, you can always be convinced of and have confidence in his promises. There is never any need to wonder if he will change his mind or his plans. We tend to forget that God is still God and he knows exactly what he’s doing — he’s even knows the end from the beginning. He also knows what all of his options are well in advance of dealing with our critical circumstances. Take for instance, the liberation of Moses and the children of Israel from the land of Egypt. God knew well in advance of calling Moses to lead two and a half million Israelites into the Promised Land that Pharaoh would quickly change his mind — reject the idea of their freedom and come after them in hot pursuit. God knew in advance that just as soon as Moses and his people were out of the city limits — near to the Red Sea that the Jews would look back and distinguish the images behind the stirred dust, as the chariots of Pharaoh’s army, angrily coming to re-enslave them. God knew that they would have no options of escape, except by faith! God knew that the next great moment of deliverance for them would be the obedience of the man of God, which actuality is what faith is. God knew that when Moses stretched forth his rod — the sea would part into, and the people would proceed across it to safety on dry land and that the army of Pharaoh would be drowned in the sea in one split second of time. Perhaps we’ve forgotten that at certain times faith requires that we stand still and see the salvation of the Lord — at other times; we are compelled to march like Joshua seven times around the walls of Jericho and yet on other occasions, we simply need to be still and know that he is God. Then, there are those unique circumstances in which we may be deceived and betrayed by haters, and wrongfully and unlawfully are placed into a den of lions or a fiery furnace and at the end of the day, we realize that by faith we were not eaten or consumed. The scripture identifies faith’s source as God’s word, and in times of doubt and weak faith we need to remember what God has already done for us. Faith can be stimulated and strengthened “by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 Also Luke slips in this hint, “The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) Peter announces that it is because... “The word of the Lord endureth for ever,” that we are able to continue to walk by faith. 1 Peter 1:25 V. Raymond Edman puts faith in perspective: Faith is dead to doubts— dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities, knows nothing but success. Faith lifts its hand up through the threatening clouds, lays hold of Him who has all power in heaven and on earth. Faith makes the uplook good, the outlook bright, the inlook favorable, and the future glorious. We’ve come this far by faith... Copyright © 2008 World Bible College & Theological Seminary. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

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Apostle Dr. Mack Jones D.D.
Signs & Wonders International Ministries
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