Paul exhorts the Corinthian Christians to, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?“ II Corinthians 13:5
If Jesus Christ is in us, we have access to His grace in which we stand. (Romans 5:2) Are you in a troubling, hurting situation? Are you in marital difficulty? Are you in a financial deficiency? Is it employment related? Are you burdened with fear and anxiety? Do you have a feeling of being unloved and unwanted? And the list could go on…The complexities and perversities of our human nature are seemingly infinite.
The Apostle Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:7; “For we walk by faith, not by sight. (the appearance of things)” “Faith in Christ is the determining factor in the Christian’s life even though He remains invisible.” (Ralph Martin: Word Biblical Commentary) Our walk in Christ has a lot to do with our ability to handle the stress in our lives. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it, with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 This walking will have evidences of being filled “with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18-19
Now let’s look at one who has wandered from the truth, Scripture reading, praying, worshiping, and training in righteousness under the preaching and teaching of the Word in a local assembly of believers. His heart has grown cold from what was a loving vibrant fellowship and walk with the Lord. He has retreated from walking in faith and lives by sight under the influence and persuasion of “things seen”. It is this plight that works havoc and confusion in the mind, emotions, and will of one’s well-being. In his erratic flight he eventually flies into a web intricately spun by a spider. The spider then races to the flailing victim, spinning its web around the body and imprisoning it. The catch is then secure for the spider to devour at his whim. “What they trust in is fragile, what they rely on is a spider’s web.” Job 8:14 (NIV)
And there are multitudes of
webs that believers fly into
as they fly blind,
even though they are
living by sight.
Likewise, the soul living by sight may find himself dismantled, disheartened, and imprisoned by flying into his own particular web of circumstances. And there are multitudes of webs that believers fly into as they fly blind, even though they are living by sight.
So, what must one do to correct this phenomenon? You must rise above your afflictions and live in faith, trusting the Lord. You must repent of your waywardness, casualness and complacency and get back to training in righteousness. Flee to the Truth, the Scriptures, the preaching and teaching of the Word, the fellowship of the local church and worship. Get alone with God in prayer and the Scriptures. Contact godly men and women who know the Scriptures and can help you get back to living in faith so “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” I Peter 1:7-8
May the Lord touch you and give you great faith!
Where the grace blows,
