just live by faith

 So often I see believer ridiculed for their faith. As if living b y faith was some sort of disablity, or defect. As a belever, I am instructed ti "live by faith". Not the kind of faith where all reason, logic and common sense are thrown out the window. Submitting my mind, soul and intellect to some "guru" or "priest" like some mindless moron, or zombi.

Without going into all the "reasons" I believe as I do, what I do, and WHY I do, I just want to explore the concept of "living by faith". I don't care if you believe me or not, or if you agree or not, WE ALL (humans) live by faith whether or not we are "religious". First of all, I do NOT consider myself religious, as often labelled, but for the ignorant amongs the nonbelievers, there is a life beyond religion that is God connected and God centered. But that's a topic for another hub.

Is it possible for man(kind) to live without faith?

I don't think so. Not for a moment! As some of the simplest examples i can cite, here are a few that we all experience in one way or another. Each an example of living by faith daily.

1. You leave home, expecting to be home that night......a step o faith.
2. You drive down the road (hopefully at the legal speed limit) expecting the oncoming drivers to stay on their side of the road. They usually do,...but...
3. You arrive at an appointed place, at the appointed time, as arranged with another person. You believe what they told you, when they said they will be there.
4. You step onto a plane, leave the ground and fly thousands of feet/metres up, believeing you will safely land, and arrive at your destination.
5. You swallow little pills prescribed by the doctor, believing it will alleviate/cure your condition, even if the known sidefects could be dangerous.
6. You willingly sign your life away in a wedding ceremony, believeing your partner will love you for the rest of your life.
7. You become parents to little "bundles of joy", believing you will be able to raise good, useful members of society.
8. You ecourage your child(ren) to be the best they can be, or they can achieve amazing things. All without one shred of evidence that they will.
9. You work every day for pay that you believe will be there at the end of the week.
10. You borrow money believeing you will be able to pay it back.

These all require faith. Now, before you are tempted to tear shred off me, be sure of one thing. Just because it's always been, does NOT guarantee that it will always be. Every example I cited has the inevitable opposite happen.

People don't make it home every day. Oncoming traffic sometime DOES cross the road into head on traffic. planes DO crash. Medication can kill. Marriages do break up. Kids go off the rails. Paycheck sometimes do not wait at the end of the week.

So, just because you have evaded any of the above catastrophes in your life, it is on the list of "could happen" to you. How differently would you live if you know that today is the day that (a thing) will go totally wrong?

I find myself often, actually every time, asking the question, "what were they thinking, doing ro where were they going" on the day they died in a tragic car crash. They obviously believed that they would arrive, but, never did.

I am reminded of a terribly tragic crash that happened a few kilometers from where I live. A young woman was on her way home when her car broke down. She could only pull off the road onto the grassy median strip, before shew came to a complete stop. The only thing she could think to do was ring mum & dad to come and help her out. They lived a mere few minutes from the location. Come they did. the parked their car on the shoulder opposite where their daughter was. Walked accross the road, and approached her from the rear. Before they made it to the car, another vehicle, travelling at high speed, veared off the road and ploughed into them both. Killing them instantly. The daughter was uninjured.

What were their plans? Just to help get their daughter home safely. What happened. It all ended that moment. What would they have done differently if they had only known? I don't know. I am convinced they believed they would be home safe with their daughter either by fixing the car, or leaving it there and taking her home and dealing with tha car later, and in some other manner.

 Human relationships would not be possible without faith. I have a very good relationship with my wife. It is built on love, faith, trust and respect. I have no hesitation believing her when she tells me anything. I know her, and her integrity. She does not lie to me. I don't think she has ever lied to me. That means, if she says somone upset her, I am prepared to defend her, based solely on her word. She has never broken an appointment with me. She has cancelled many, but never "stood me up". If she says, "lets have coffee at.....time & place" I will be there. (unless she says something prevented her being there).

I have had faith in many "friends" being there for me, but sadly, they let me down. I'm sure you have too. I actually believed they would do what they said they would do. They obviously do not hold their own word in very high regard. Do you? I try to. To be totally honest, I haven't always been a pillar of integrity myself, but I'm working on it. I bvelieve as humans, we can't always keep our promises, because we aren't in control of everything. That's no excuse for plain laziness.

The Bible tells us to "live by faith". What does that mean?

Simply put, it means living by the Word of God. Applying what He said, to your every day life. Sadly, this very simple statement has gotten many into trouble. They read something that may not, and often DOES not apply to their lives, and go ahead and do it. One example is the religious tradition in the Phillipines, of men having themselves crucified, to be somehow more holy or pure. To suffer for their sins as Christ suffered. Or, to "bear their own cross" literally.

This is an example of what living by faith is NOT.

Living by faith is applying the word in things like, forgivenss, generosity, patience, kindness etc. Revenge and retribution comes naturally. Forgivness takes faith. Loving the unloveable takes faith. Giving sacrificially goes against natural tendencies. Generousity is faith based. Charity is that kind of love that causes someone to give up some/many things to help another in need.

Jesus set the example of what living by faith is all about. He didn't do the traditional things, He did the God-things. He said "I only do those things I see My father doing, and the words which I speak are not My words, but the words of Him Who sent me". What does that mean to you? What do you "see the Father doing", & "what do you hear the Father is saying? Oh, aqnd beware, not every voice that enters your head is from the Father. Thjere arfe many voices out there in the world. Take heed what you hear!!

How can you distinguish between what God is saying and all other voices? Knowing this will save you much heartache, not to mention many people being hurt by your misdirected zeal. Surprisingly, the answer to this is quite simple, yet not without warning.

The answer is The Bible. The Spirit of God will NEVER contradict His written word. He does not have one thing written in it, and then instructy anyone contrary to it. He said "love your enemies" in the Word, so if you are "told" to take some form of hurtful, hatefull act of vengeance, it won't be God.

Just because God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, does not mean every/any other father has to do the same thing.

People in the Old Testament were to stone adulterers, does not mean we are to stone them today.

It is worth saying that we are living in Net Testament times. (Just in caes you missed that point.)

There is need for wisdom, which comes from Him. If you have the Spirit of Christ living in you, you will have this wisdom also. The walk of faith is a growing process. It takes time to grow naturally, and it also takes time to grow spiritually. You have a big enough task in absorbing how God sees you, accepts you, loves you and what plans He has for you. Grow in the knowledge of Him, and He will direct your steps.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned in this walk of faith is to trust Him. There are time when I didn't know WHAT to do. I have found that if I don't DO anything, but pray, eait and trust in Him to sort it out, He usually does. I say usually, not because sometimes He doesn't, but sometimes He later instructs me on what to do. The life of faith is so exciting. You don't have to just rely on your own "wits", or leave your fate to luck, or chance. You have your life in the Hands of Him, who loved you so much, that He sent His Only begotten Son, as a sacrifice to "buy you back". How shall He not, along with Christ give you all things, that pertain to life and godliness. You are in very safe hands.

Blessings. :)