Sunday, April 19, 2009

Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith

But we live by faith, not by what we see (2 Colossians 5:7 CEV).
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.

The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other.

They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.

But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.

God's Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit. (Galatian 5:16-18, 25 CEV)

It's easy to get caught up in the every-day circumstances of life. We get up, we have to go work, get the kids ready, go grocery shopping, make dinner, do work at home, get gas for the car and a whole host of other things that consume our time and make up what we call 'life.'

But how do you view your life? Do you see it as an amalgamation of duties, obligations, and responsibilities? Or is there an underlying meaning to your life?

What I'm asking is - is there a purpose for your life or are you just living? Are you spending your time running errands, attending school recitals, watching your kids' soccer games and doing laundry? Or is there something more that drives your life?

Because it's okay (and necessary) to do all the ordinary things - after all, dinner doesn't cook itself, homework doesn't magically get accomplished and somebody's gotta make sure the kids get to school. But life is not ONLY about those things.

We (Christians) don't walk through life merely to exist. There is a greater purpose and meaning to our lives. Ultimately, to serve God. Which means, on a day-to-day basis, we see through the eyes of faith.

We see the content of a person's spirit and not simply what he or she presents to the world. We believe with blind faith things that others say can't happen in a million years. We use God's insight and wisdom to walk by faith and not by sight.

And what does walking by that faith mean? That we recognize the truth of what's going on here in the natural world (i.e., our company is downsizing and we may be in danger of losing our jobs), but that we don't allow that truth to override the overarching TRUTH (namely, that God has promised that He will never forsake the righteous and that our children will never go hungry (Psalm 37:25)). It means that we believe God MORE than we believe the news reports, what our friends think or 'conventional wisdom' (because we know that the world's wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor 3:19)).

God has also given us His Holy Spirit to help us in our walk of faith. By following the Spirit, we won't follow the flesh. That simply means that we will be so caught up in doing the right thing, thinking the right thoughts and behaving in a righteous manner, that we won't have the time to pursue our own selfish, acrimonious or divisive desires. God's Holy Spirit helps us to make peace with others, be the bigger person in an argument and keep eyes firmly fixed on the actions of Jesus as our ultimate role model.

God has given us life. God has given us His Spirit. See your life through the eyes of faith and be steadfast in your walk of faith. Be guided by God's spirit and He will never lead you astray!

13 comments:

La Espada De Dios said...

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

kramer said...

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BR said...

I like your blog alot! I'm a Christian blogger and have been looking for other blogs to read, thankyou for posting! I look forward to reading more.

Global7x said...

He who is within us is greater than he who is in the world.

Anonymous said...

Hi! How are you?

I really, really need prayer.. do you think you could visit my blog and bring any other Sisters in Christ over too?

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much!

Tidbits of Torah said...

it is called the evil inclination / the yetzer hora and we overcome it every day by following the commandments of G-d

Michael Lantz said...

I like your blog too.I got a link to your blog so that I can read your blog and other blogs.

Unknown said...

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Anonymous said...

Thank you for this text it is very helpful for me. I am going to talk about that topic and your thoughts brought me forward.
theresa

Miley said...

God isn't actually real.

Unknown said...

I really Appretiate your blog LEDD it inspires me alot! keep it up LEDD!! :)

calvaryoakville

Anonymous said...

Greater is he who is in me then he that is in the world. Thank you Jesus for all your blessings, thank you for your grace and most of all thank you for saving my soul. God is real folks, just believe and receive him. He wants to save all his people but we have to do our part and accept him. God is good, he sure has filled my heart with joy! Praise your sweet holy name my Jesus!