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August 16, 2019

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A MORE EXCELLENT WAY

"We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

What is "A More Excellent Way?" It is the principle of faith that God forms in our soul, and is the constraining factor of all our actions.

Many believers in Corinth were still plagued by the baggage from their fleshly life before they were saved. Paul instructs them of a more excellent way that so fixes their eyes on the Lord Jesus, that those encumbering habits, desires, and practices of the past will be lost. This was a revolutionary experience for them as it is for every believer. But this is the challenge for believers if they expect to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.

The world does not understand a life characterized by utter trust in God. The believer who walks by faith, fixes his eyes, not on things visible and temporal, but on things invisible and eternal. He relies entirely on what God can do, not what lies within his capacity. Faith looks beyond the sight of mortal eyes to the unseen of God's superintending providence in all things. Moses exercised such implicit faith when he feared not the wrath of Pharaoh, because "he saw Him that is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).

We rationalize our thinking, our convictions, and our actions to surrender to the life-style we desire, rather than with bold determination have our lives governed by Christ. Paul said, "For the love of Christ constrains (compels, controls, urges) us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). Paul exemplifies one who had it all as far as the world was concerned, but when Christ interrupted his journey to Damascus to persecute the Christians, his life was transformed, as he MET GOD ON HIS TERMS. He saw himself in the bright light of WHO GOD IS!

I wonder...have you been there? Have you taken the time to look at your life in the light of eternity? Have you ever been lost in the "WONDER OF ALL GOD IS?" David had this experience. When he tried to view the majesty of God he said..."What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4). Then later, after contemplating God, he says..."Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness is unsearchable," unfathomable, beyond man's comprehension (Psalm 145:3).

Compare the "more excellent way" with that of the world. Earthly things are an illusion. They dazzle the eye with their superficial appeal...they deceive the mind with temporal gain and wealth, but have no eternal value...they seek to sensualize and debase the soul. When we think we have attained our utmost desire, it alludes us. We grasp emptiness and experience nothing but vanity.

How different is the one who "walks by faith." Who can describe the joy, peace, and comfort of those who, by faith, have already in their souls "the substance of things hoped for, as well as the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)? Can anyone compare the blessedness of the man of faith, who has God as his Father, Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit dwelling within as his comforter, and the blessed hope of heaven as his eternal home?

Oh, that we might ask God to turn our eyes from beholding vanity, and to quicken our souls in His way...to increase our faith so our discernment may be clear and focused...and to "walk worthy of our high calling." God wants us to venture our all in "abandoned faith" and confidence in Him...a deliberate commitment to Jesus Christ! Dare to believe!

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://www.litmin.org/dare.php?date=2019-08-16


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