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Sunday, October 3, 2010

Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona

Last week I had the great pleasure of touring the Pima Air Museum in Tucson,
Arizona. Being a long-time lover of airplanes and the flying of them I was
agog (I've always wanted to use that word) for several hours while wandering
amongst some of the most unique and best airplanes ever built. I mention
this tour as a lead-in to our lesson today because it is something about
flying that serves me as an inspiration for our topic, which is - "faith."

In a past editorial I spoke on the value, or worth, of things and, for a few
moments here today, I'd like to talk about the value of "faith." I think it
behooves us to look first at a few scriptures regarding "faith," sort of as
laying the foundation of our study here. I think that the first one we
should consider is the Biblical definition of "faith" and find that in Heb.
11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it
gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (NLT)

Then the next passage that fits perfectly with Heb. 11:1 and is found in 2
Cor. 5:7 very plainly tells us how "faith" applies to our lives. It reads:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." Paul is referring to how Christian's
live their lives during the time our souls inhabit their earthly bodies. In
other words, we act and operate with the belief that our souls' will someday
return to God and we want them to be in such a condition that God will
accept them back and not reject them.

You see, we believe that, in order for our souls' to be acceptable to God,
we have to live our lives in accordance with His Will and when we do that,
we believe His promise of salvation and a home in heaven awaits us. That is
our "faith." We have a great example, seen in reverse, of what will happen
if we do not "walk by faith." In Heb. 3:16 - 4:1 we find a warning being
given to us to NOT be like the Israelites that left Egypt and failed to make
it into the "promised land" because of a lack of "faith." The inspired
writer says that they were "unable to enter (His rest) because of unbelief."
He goes on to say that the promise of "His rest" awaits us, so let's not
miss it for the same reason the Israelites missed out on theirs.

You see what I meant when I talked about the value of "faith?" The value of
"faith" is equal to the value of our soul. If we don't have "faith"
obviously we don't attach any value to our soul. It's a pretty simple
equation, if you ask me. And here's another easily seen equation: God's Word
teaches that "faith" must be evidenced. It must be able to be witnessed in
order for it to have any value to us.

Evidence equals action. Talk is not action. James most directly teaches that
lesson in the 2nd chapter of his book. Read verses 14-24 and, for brevity
sake, let me paraphrase his words here. He says there that if someone "says"
they have "faith" yet they have no actions that indicate it, then they
really don't have it. That a person's "faith" must be evidenced by their
actions ("works").

In other words, their "faith" must be able to be seen, witnessed. James
cited the example of Abraham's "faith" seen by his offering of his son Isaac
on the altar and look at what he says about the evidence of Abraham's faith:
"his faith was completed by his works."

I think that some words of the Apostle Paul in Gal. 5:6 can give us a great
insight into the value God places on "faith." Basically it lets us know that
the only thing that "counts" with God is "faith working through love." There's
that thought of "works" again. Or action, if you will.

Then if you drop down a few more verses in the 5th chapter (22-23) you'll
see just what actions are observable in a faithful person's life. Notice
that Paul refers to those actions as "fruit of the Spirit" and they include
things like "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control..." Let me ask you, aren't these "fruits," these
"evidences" observable by others?

Let's recap what we've talked about so far. Hebrews showed us that "faith"
is believing without having to "see." 2 Corinthians told us that if we have
to "see" then we're not walking by "faith." Our other passages have shown us
that "faith" requires action on our part. That it must be observable by the
way we operate in our lives. That means that the effects of our "faith" has
to be noticeable. Others must be able to witness our lives and see our
"faith." We see examples of this in how Paul talked about the Churches in
Rome, Ephesus and Colossae when he wrote to them. He mentioned how he had
"heard of their faith" or of how their "faith" was "spoken of." What a great
compliment.

And, in our recap, allow me to reiterate here; if you have to "see" then you're
not "walking by faith." If you say you believe, that you have "faith" then
your life has to show it. IE: there has to be visible proof of that "faith."
The effects of one's "faith" has to be observable by others. If there are no
effects visible, then there is no "faith." Thus a claim of having "faith" is
empty. In other words, has no value.

Now, in closing, I'm going to return to our opening illustration, our
lead-in, and what got me to thinking about this lesson today. It's the
lesson based upon that verse in 2 Corinthians about "walking by faith and
not by sight." "Faith" only applies to our existence on this earth. Only to
our time here in this human realm. Someday, we'll "walk" by sight. We'll
know because we'll see. There won't be anymore requirement for "faith." As
Peter puts it, the "outcome of our faith" will be the "salvation of our
souls." (1 Pet. 1:9) (ESV)

My inspiration for this topic is this: almost four years ago a friend of
mine, a truly gifted individual and a beautiful person lost his battle with
cancer and his soul returned to its eternal home. He was a fellow-hunter, a
fellow-pilot and a fellow-Christian and I still miss him. Why does his death
serve us here with this lesson today? It's because of the inscription on his
gravestone. If you're a pilot you'll understand. If you're not a pilot, ask
one and they'll explain it to you. But, it's something that all of us will
someday experience. It simply reads:

"TRULY VFR ON TOP NOW"

Ron Covey

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