LIVING BY FAITH
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:7
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Supporting Texts: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 10:38; Hebrews 11:6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 11:24
Description: Living by faith means making God, His Word, and His promises the foundation of our decisions, conduct, confidence, and daily relationship with Him.
INTRODUCTION
Faith is not merely something we exercise when we need a miracle. Faith is a lifestyle. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith,” and Paul reminds us that “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Therefore, faith is meant to influence every area of the believer's life.
To live by faith means that our confidence is placed in God rather than in circumstances. We do not allow what we see, hear, feel, or experience to become the final authority over our lives. God's Word remains our foundation, even when circumstances appear contrary to His promises.
Living by faith does not mean ignoring reality. It means facing reality with confidence in God. Faith says, “I can see the problem, but I know that God is greater than the problem.” Faith enables us to trust God, obey His Word, endure difficult seasons, and continue moving forward because we know that God is faithful.
1. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS TRUSTING GOD COMPLETELY
A life of faith begins with confidence in God's character. We may not understand everything He is doing, but we can trust the One who knows the end from the beginning.
a. Trust God Above Your Understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) — Do not make human understanding the foundation of your life; acknowledge God and allow Him to direct your path.
b. Trust God's Faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:24) — The God who called you is faithful and is able to accomplish what He has promised.
c. Trust God in Uncertain Seasons (Psalm 56:3-4) — When fear comes because the future is unclear, faith chooses to trust God.
d. Commit Your Life to God (Psalm 37:5) — Commit your way to the Lord and trust Him to bring His purpose to pass.
Biblical Example: Abraham trusted God enough to leave his country and go to a place he had never seen, simply because God had spoken (Hebrews 11:8).
2. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS LIVING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD
Faith cannot be separated from Scripture. God's Word tells us what to believe, how to live, and where to stand.
a. Build Your Life on God's Word (Matthew 7:24-25) — A life founded upon Christ's words can withstand the storms of life.
b. Let God's Word Direct You (Psalm 119:105) — Scripture provides light when the road ahead is uncertain.
c. Believe God's Promises (2 Corinthians 1:20) — God's promises are dependable because they are established in Christ.
d. Practise What God Commands (James 1:22) — Living by faith requires obedience, not merely hearing the Word.
Biblical Example: Noah demonstrated faith by obeying God's instructions and preparing an ark before the flood appeared (Hebrews 11:7).
3. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS REFUSING TO BE CONTROLLED BY WHAT YOU SEE
Sight focuses on present circumstances, but faith considers God's ability to change those circumstances. What you see is not necessarily the final picture.
a. Do Not Fear What You See (Isaiah 41:10) — God's presence gives us courage when circumstances appear threatening.
b. Look Beyond Temporary Things (2 Corinthians 4:18) — Visible circumstances are temporary, but God's eternal realities remain.
c. Refuse to Magnify the Problem (Numbers 13:30) — Faith magnifies God's power instead of allowing difficulties to become bigger than God.
d. Keep Your Eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) — Christ must remain the focus of our faith regardless of what is happening around us.
Biblical Example: David looked beyond Goliath's size and saw the greatness of the God who had delivered Israel before (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
4. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS OBEYING GOD EVEN WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT
Faith is demonstrated through obedience. When God speaks, faith does not wait for perfect circumstances before responding.
a. Obey Without Knowing Everything (Hebrews 11:8) — Abraham went out because God commanded him, although he did not know all that lay ahead.
b. Obey Even When the Instruction Seems Unusual (2 Kings 5:10-14) — Faith sometimes requires us to follow God's instruction rather than our personal expectations.
c. Obey When Others Do Not Understand (Acts 5:29) — Our ultimate responsibility is to obey God rather than compromise His Word.
d. Obey Until the Promise Is Fulfilled (Hebrews 10:36) — Faith requires patience so that after doing God's will, we may receive His promise.
Biblical Example: Peter obeyed Jesus' instruction to let down the nets again even after an unsuccessful night of fishing, and the result was a miraculous catch (Luke 5:4-6).
5. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS REMAINING STEADFAST IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Faith does not guarantee the absence of trials. Rather, faith gives us strength to remain standing when trials come.
a. Stand Firm Under Pressure (Ephesians 6:13) — After doing everything required, faith enables us to stand.
b. Do Not Give Up (Galatians 6:9) — Faith keeps working even when the harvest is delayed.
c. Trust God in Affliction (Psalm 34:19) — The righteous may experience many afflictions, but the Lord delivers them from them all.
d. Believe That God Is Working (Romans 8:28) — Even when we cannot understand the process, we can trust God's purpose.
Biblical Example: Job maintained his confidence in God during severe trials and declared his faith in his Redeemer (Job 19:25).
6. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS DEPENDING ON GOD'S POWER
Human ability has limitations, but God's power has no limitation. Faith moves us from dependence upon ourselves to dependence upon God.
a. Acknowledge Your Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) — God's grace is sufficient when human strength is inadequate.
b. Depend on God's Strength (Isaiah 40:29-31) — God gives power to the weak and renews those who wait upon Him.
c. Believe God for the Impossible (Luke 18:27) — What is impossible with men is possible with God.
d. Give God the Glory (2 Corinthians 4:7) — When God works through human weakness, the excellence of His power becomes evident.
Biblical Example: Gideon's small army defeated the Midianites so that Israel would know that the victory came from God rather than human strength (Judges 7:2-7).
7. LIVING BY FAITH MEANS LIVING WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S FUTURE
Faith gives us confidence concerning tomorrow. We may not know everything that tomorrow holds, but we know the God who holds tomorrow.
a. Trust God With Your Future (Jeremiah 29:11) — God's plans for His people are rooted in His purpose and goodness.
b. Hope in God's Promises (Romans 8:24-25) — Faith enables us to wait patiently for what we hope for.
c. Expect God's Goodness (Psalm 27:13) — Faith gives us confidence that we shall see the goodness of the Lord.
d. Keep Moving Forward (Philippians 3:13-14) — Faith refuses to remain trapped by yesterday but presses towards God's calling.
Biblical Example: Joseph continued to believe in God's purpose through slavery and imprisonment until the word God had spoken concerning him was fulfilled (Genesis 50:20).
CONCLUSION
Living by faith is a daily commitment to trust God, obey His Word, depend upon His power, and remain steadfast regardless of circumstances. Faith must influence our decisions, our relationships, our service, our prayers, our attitude towards trials, and our expectations for the future.
Do not allow what you see to determine what you believe. Let God's Word determine your faith, and let your faith determine how you live. The circumstances may change, but God's faithfulness remains constant. Live by faith, trust God completely, and continue to follow Him until His purpose for your life is fulfilled.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me grace to live every day by faith and not by sight, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, increase my confidence in Your Word and Your promises, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from fear, doubt, and unbelief, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, help me to trust You completely in every area of my life, in Jesus name.
5. Father, give me grace to obey You even when Your instructions are difficult, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, strengthen me to remain steadfast during every trial and difficult season, in Jesus name.
7. Father, let Your power be made perfect in my weakness, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, help me to see beyond my present circumstances and believe Your promises, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let my faith produce obedience, patience, courage, and spiritual maturity, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, help me to finish my journey faithfully, always living by faith and trusting You, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall live by faith and you shall not be controlled by fear.
2. Your confidence in God shall increase every day.
3. You shall not be defeated by what you see around you.
4. You shall receive grace to obey God in every season.
5. Your faith shall remain strong in the midst of every trial.
6. God's power shall be manifested in your areas of weakness.
7. Every impossible situation before you shall become a testimony of God's faithfulness.
8. You shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
9. You shall not abandon God's purpose because of temporary difficulties.
10. You shall finish well, finish strong, and fulfil God's purpose for your life.
