Dear Friends,

Everybody believes in something, and we act on what we believe. What do you believe? Do you believe in God’s truth? Do you act like you believe? Do you live by faith?

What is faith? By definition, faith means belief or trust; if we have faith in someone, we believe and trust them. Some say faith is positive thinking, or the ability to live through challenging circumstances with an inner knowing that everything will be OK. But Christian faith is much more than this; it is a deep trust -- that begins in our very core -- in the truth of God’s word as revealed to us in the Bible.

Our human nature would have us to believe only what we can see, touch and feel. While that works out OK during positive times, living that way opens us up to fear, anxiety and stress because we will be overly influenced by negative events we see happening around us, or take offense when others say unflattering things about us, or feel especially threatened and afraid when things don’t go according to our plans. Our flesh might fight faith because we want “proof”, but you cannot live by proof and by faith, and you cannot live by fear and by faith. You have to choose one or the other: proof or faith, fear or faith.  If you live by faith, you trust in the Lord, you believe in God’s word, and you live without fear because you know that God is your protector and provider in all things and for all time.  Sounds like a pretty simple choice, right?

But it is not enough to just think faithful thoughts and say we have faith… we must live by faith with our actions. 

Think about it this way. You work hard to develop your clients’ trust so they follow your advice. If your client says he trusts you but doesn’t follow your advice, then he doesn’t really trust you, does he? Do you say that you trust God, but when it comes down to it, you don’t really follow His advice? Do you obey His word in your actions and behaviors?

It’s OK to talk the talk as long as you truly walk the walk in your spirit. You are truly a Christian when you live by faith so that your deepest desire and your greatest joy are to please Him. I keep coming back to the broken clay pots that make the best lanterns because their inner light shines forth, even during the most difficult times. That’s living by faith!  

Can you recall a time when you wholly “lived by faith,” trusting completely in God’s word even when it was really hard?  What was the impact on your life? Share your story and inspire others to live by faith, too.

Blessings, 

Ron