We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

The old King James version of the Bible tells us, “NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). In the Life Application Study Bible otherwise known as the New Living Translation (or NLT), this is how it translates the verse in our modern English: “It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see” (Heb. 11:1 NLT). It is significant to note that the old King James version (or KJV) is “nearest” translation to the Greek original version of the New Testament in which said Testament has been written.

In a legal sense, when we talk of evidence, it is something we can see, read, touch or taste. In other words, an evidence is a substance that can be seen by our naked eyes, or can be read or touched or tasted by us.

The word NOW (capitalized in KJV) is very significant because it emphasizes the present - - NOW. Meaning, even now that things have not yet happened, the BELIEVER, although he has not yet seen the things said by Jesus or prophesied by the prophets, he believes without doubt in his heart that such things hoped for or predicted will truly happen, or as if they have already happened, seen and experienced by him.

Contrariwise, so many people today say, “I’ll believe it when I see it. Seeing is believing.” This was the reaction of Thomas, the disciple of our LORD Jesus. This, however, is no longer faith, because believing before seeing. Thus, the Lord Jesus said to Thomas, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Believing with all of our heart even before seeing, reading, touching or tasting is called FAITH. This is the faith that the author of Hebrews 11:1 had spoken of. Because if one can already see, read, touch or taste it, it is no longer faith, it is already REAL, no longer spiritual (or cannot be seen). There is no more need for faith. This is SAVING faith - - believing before seeing. Thus, the Lord Jesus said to Thomas, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This is the normal and usual attitude of any human being, and sadly, even for the ordinary or nominal Christian. But that is not the way faith works as envisioned by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the prophets.

God wants us to trust fully and believe, first of all, His Word or whatever He says. He appreciates our faith to believe what we cannot yet see, read, touch or taste. He wants to see if we really have faith. “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” (Heb. 11:6 NIV).

For example, God says, “Launch out into the deep! Cast forth your nets and I’ll give you such a catch of fish there will not be room enough to hold it” (Luke 5:4-9). The disciples who were fishing the whole night caught nothing, but following the instruction of Jesus by faith, they cast their net on the other side of the boat, indeed they had “such a catch of fish there will not be room enough to hold it”. The Bible tells us, “With man it is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible, and all things are possible to those who believe” (Matthew 14:29-31; Luke 1:37; 18-27).

If God (Jesus in person) said it and it is recorded in the canonized Bible, 100% surely it shall come to pass. His Word can and will never fail. This is walking by faith, not by sight.