Faith Or Sight

Text: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV).

Another version of the Bible puts it this way: “We live by faith, not by sight” (NIV).

Another version of the Bible says, “For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight” (Today’s English Version).

Each version talks about the same two words; namely, faith and sight.

What is faith and what is sight?

Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Did God give each of his children a certain amount of faith?

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, while talking about how one should think of themselves, he says, “….in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).

This indicates to me that all of us have a “measure of faith.” God has given each of us certain spiritual gifts. He did not give all his children the same gift.

For example, some are called to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers (Ephesians 4:11). Whatever gift we have been given, God expects it to be used for His glory and honor.

God refers to these gifts as “a measure of faith”. Each of us has been given a share of faith. You do not have a greater share than me and I do not have a greater share than you. If I thought my share was greater than your share, there would be a tendency for me to place myself above you and I would become conceited.

The gifts and abilities God has given us should bring us into a closer relationship with Him and his children. We are each a part of the glorious body of Christ. Just as each part or member of our human body has a certain function, we as parts or members of the body of Christ are to do our part to build up the body of believers which is the body of Christ.

We are to use our God-given gift; preaching, teaching, serving, encouraging, comforting, helping, or whatever it might be to bring others into a right relationship with God the Father, God the Son, with the help of God the Holy Spirit.

Now that we have an idea of what faith is, let’s see what is meant by sight. When we see or hear the word “sight” it indicates to us the ability to see something through our earthly eyes.

We use our sight to see objects and people. We use our sight to see an event that is taking place. We use our sight to see the TV or the movie on the big theater screen.

Sight enables us to see material things, while faith goes much deeper and gives us insight. Insight allows us to comprehend the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Insight permits us to really understand God’s idea of love, compassion, truth, courage, caring, sharing, and so on.

Insight helps us understand why God sent His Son into the world to pay our sin debt. Insight helps us comprehend the life God wants us to lead. The Holy Spirit gives us insight when we live contrary to God’s Word.

Now that we know a little bit about “faith” and “sight” let’s look into why Paul even brought up these words.

Paul wrote this second letter to the people in Corinth for several reasons. One reason was that the church was weak and sinful things like idolatry and immorality were running rampant.

Also, some people were having a difficult time understanding and accepting bodily resurrection. Paul talks about the bodies we now possess and about the bodies we will possess.

Paul writes, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed….” (2 Corinthians 5:1). The earthly tent Paul is talking about is the earthly body we have.

There is no question that at some point our earthly life will end. He realizes that in his own life, death is a reality.

Death is an experience that is mysterious and difficult even for the individual who has a strong faith. People do not accept the fact of dying with composure and calmness. Most people don’t like to think about it. They like to think it will not happen to them. Those who think about it at all consider it a step into the outer space of darkness.

There is a future for each of us. The future is a blessed one. By faith, you and I and all other Christians look forward to spending eternity with our Lord and Maker. Listen to the words of a dying child:

Story: “The Blessed Future”

The doctor did not think the dying daughter would hear when he said to the mother, “Poor child; she has seen her best days.” But she heard him and said, “No, Doctor, I haven’t seen my best days; my best days are still to come when I shall see the King in His glory.”