Faith Not Sight

2 Corinthians 5:7: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The natural order of things is to see something and thus be able to believe it. The spiritual order of things is to believe it and thus be able to perceive it. If faith came through sight it would depend upon our eyesight. Those of us with astigmatism would have distorted faith in a distorted god. Those of us who are near-sighted could not see that God is everywhere. Those of us who are far-sighted could not see that He is near. Those of us who are blind could never come to faith in God.

John 1:18a: No man hath seen God at any time; . . .

We need faith in someone we have never seen.

John 12:37: But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Geneva Bible Notes on John 12:37:

Faith is not of nature, but of grace.

Adam Clarke*s Commentary:

Yet they believed not on him. Though the miracles were wrought for this very purpose, that they might believe in Christ, and escape the coming wrath, and every evidence given that Jesus was the Messiah, yet they did not believe; but they were blinded by their passions, and obstinately hardened their hearts against the truth.

People*s New Testament Commentary:

Yet they believed not on him. They had a kind of intellectual faith, but were filled with doubts when they could not understand. There was no real trust.

It is actually evil to want God to prove Himself by showing us signs. He has already given us enough information in the creation, in our consciences, in the witnesses He gives us and in His Word to prove Himself worthy of our complete trust.

Matthew 12:39: But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If salvation is a gift, which it is, then saving faith must be part of the gift.

Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 10:9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

It is logical that those who have invited Jesus into their hearts have saving faith in their hearts.

It is also logical that those who have been born again have saving faith and those who have not been born again do not have it. Faith comes along with the new birth and dwells in the heart of the new creature.

John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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