Introduction

‘For we live by faith, not by sight.’ 2 Corinthians 5:7

There are several instances in the gospel where Christ rebuked His disciples for their faithlessness. His assertions severally show that faith is one of the inevitable ingredients for our walk with God.

Paul clearly states that as God’s people, we walk by faith and not by sight. In a segment of his sermon on the mount, Christ encourages us to avoid anxiety about food, drink, clothing and other matters of this life.

The way to avoid needless anxiety is to develop a strong faith in God as this comes with a sound understanding of prioritising spiritual matters over physical issues. The Hebrew writer listed a number of faithful men of God but let us specifically focus on Enoch.

The Holy Writ tells us that he did not see death because God took him. It was said of Enoch that he pleased God! He certainly walked with God by faith. The scriptures instruct us that it is impossible to please God without faith. It is simply impossible to walk with God without faith!

However, James extended the scope of this matter when he explains that faith must be accompanied with works to be alive. We can therefore safely conclude that God’s people must not walk with God without living (or active) faith. Our faith will be made evident by our works. We cannot idly claim to have faith.

I. Baltzell (1880) in his hymn ‘I want to be a worker for the Lord’ says: ‘I will work, I will pray, I will labour every day in the vineyard of the Lord’.

‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’ Hebrews 11:1-6

Prayer

Great is Your faithfulness, Oh Lord our Father! There is no shadow of turning with You. May You increase our faith in You. May we walk with You by faith that is made alive through our works – even the faith that overcomes the world!