In reading 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-8, two amazingly, awesome scriptural truths jump out at us: (4:18) “…we do NOT look at the things which are seen, but (we DO look) at the things which are unseen….” And (5:7), “For we walk by faith, and NOT by sight.”
We read Exodus 15:23-26, Isaiah 53:4-6, and 1 Peter 2:21-25, and know if God says we ARE and WERE healed, then we are indisputably healed, yet rather than receive our faith from God’s “forever-settled-in-heaven” word (Psalm 119:89), we look at what can be seen (or diagnosed); thus, what was “faith-from-the-word” then becomes self-centered doubt and disbelief.
Yet, God’s word commands us to “walk by faith, and NOT by sight”, and to “NOT look at the things which are seen”, but we disobey God, disbelieve His word, and walk by sight; what we see or think at that moment. We all do this until the Holy Spirit changes (separates—Hebrews 4:12),) our spirit (heart) from our soul (mind) (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
Faith is doing what God’s word says, as seen in Romans 10:16-17, 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says (in 53:1), “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing (comes) by the word of God.
Therefore, faith knows and obeys what God says in His word, because we only receive faith from God’s written word (Romans 10:17); from Jesus, God’s living Word (John 1:1-4, 14; Hebrews 12:1-2); from praying in the Holy Spirit and staying in God’s love (Jude 1:20-21).
God’s living and written word is absolute, unchangeable, forever-settled-in-heaven, whether we believe it or disbelieve it (Matthew 24:32-35); the fig tree like all earthly things pass away, but not God’s word, for God and His word are eternal.
When then, we disobey God and His word, and “look at things which are seen” (“walk by sight and not by faith”), instead of looking “at the things which are unseen” (“walk by faith, and not by sight”); faith to receive God’s promises, avoids us and doubtful fear rushes in.
God does not want His children diseased, sick, or suffering; if so, He would not have included James 5:13-20, in His written word, the Bible, for these scriptures show suffering is from not praying; cheerfulness needs anointed singing; sickness needs faith-praying and confessing our disbelief of God’s healing promises, for looking “at the things which are seen”.
Read all these scripture passages again and include 3 John 1:2, and then examine the “soul” to see if the three parts of the soul—emotion, mind, will—“prospers” (journeys, succeeds in receiving God’s promises). If God’s word and Holy Spirit prayer does not fill us with undoubtable, unmovable, most holy faith, then we should seriously examine our love-relationship with God, His word, and Holy Spirit praying (Jude 1:20-21; Romans 8:26-30).
Hebrews 11:5-6, assures us we get nothing from God without faith, for God only rewards faith that seeks Him in obeying His word and by thanks to God for the ability to obey His word, so He receives all the glory and honor from us using the faith Jesus, the living Word, gives us to study and obey the written word, and the Holy Spirit love-prayers in God’s will (Romans 8:26-27).
Faith looks at what is unseen, because God’s word says it IS there; whereas, doubt and disbelief look at what can be seen; even though God’s word says it is NOT there.
The most holy faith in Jude 1:20, from Holy Spirit praying, works through God’s love (verse 21; Galatians 5:6), and can be felt, when our Lord Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), wills us to feel faith because He wants some particular something to happen, so always obey His leading.
We have used healing and health as one area of faith, but this is true in all areas of life.
Jim Nabors
