Walking By
Faith
Christians
have both the obligation and privilege to walk by faith. Paul said, "We walk
by faith, not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) All things done by
Christians must be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus" or "by
His authority." "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
(Colossians 3:17) The Bible is the standard of faith for the Christian.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) Christians must have a deep respect for Bible authority in all
religious matters. Everything done by Christians must be authorized by the New
Testament. Living only by things authorized in the New Testament is what it
means to walk by faith.
God
authorizes by direct statement: Mark
God
authorizes by example: Christians are commanded to observe the Lord's
Supper. "And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat;
this is My body which is broken for you; do this in
remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper,
saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of
Me." (I Corinthians 11:24-25) In
churches of Christ we follow their Bible example.
Both by
precept and example Christians are instructed to observe the Lord's Supper
every Sunday. (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2) You may observe it in an upper
room, but that is optional, not binding, as one may observe by studying the
several passages concerning communion. Christians are also commanded to give.
(II Corinthians 8 & 9) By example we are taught to give on the first day of
the week. (I Corinthians 16:1-2) Many inspired examples in the New Testament
make it possible for Christians to "walk by faith."
God
authorizes by inference: An example of inference is in the conversion
of Saul of Tarsus. The Bible teaches that Saul was baptized. It says nothing of
his repentance. But, all Bible students know he repented. God commanded that all
that would become Christians must repent. "Truly, these times of ignorance
God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." (Acts
God
commanded communion. Involved in the command is the authority to purchase or
provide the items necessary for communion and for serving communion. Many
inferences in the Bible make it possible for God’s children to "walk by
faith."
God
authorizes by expediency: Every thing God commands involves expediency.
God commanded singing. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
The song book is expedient to that part of worship. An instrument is not an expediency; rather it adds another type of music. It is
an addition to what God has commanded. We are warned strongly that we must not
add to or take from. (Revelation 22:18-19)
God
commanded worship. He said that we are not to forsake “the assembling of
ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching." (Hebrews 10:25) The place is an expedient. You might rent a
place to conduct worship or the church might own a place to conduct worship, whichever
would be most expedient.
Christians
can know God and have eternal life. "And this is eternal life, that they
may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You
have sent." (John 17:3) Knowing and obeying truth is possible. "If
you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) Thank God we can
"know" how to go to heaven!