By Larry P. Stover
The Selma Times-Journal

Most of us are quick to say; “I have faith in God.” When the discussion continues, the usual sources of faith tend to center around what we can do with our own resources and initiative.

After reading the book of Galatians from the New Testament,, it is obvious that we are to “walk by faith and not by sight.” After countless discussions with Christian believers, I am convinced that very few truly understand what it means to live in a “faith” relationship with Jesus Christ.

As long as things are going good, all is well. But, when things start to get tough, rather than trusting God through faith, we live by our own efforts and, we do the work of the Holy Spirit. The tragic consequence is that our results will be human at best but never divine. The average American Christian seems to be at peace enjoying their human level of self reliance accepting it as “living by faith.”

Galatians 5:25 reminds us, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Strong faith allows God to do His work in our lives without our interference. It’s been said that a reason God created man last was so that he would not claim some of the work of the Creator.

A weak faith comes from “walking by sight.” I want to present some questions that might help us all draw some conclusions as to how much we trust in God and how much we trust in our own merit.

First of all, “Am you trying to change things with your own efforts?” Have you ever prayed about a matter and then tried to answer that prayer yourself?  It’s called doing the work of the Holy Spirit yourself.   You might think of it as coming up with the game plan for your life and then asking God to make it happen.

A second question might be, “Are You trying to control the situation yourself?” Who’s in charge of this dilemma? Are you one of those individuals who don’t want to bother God with your problems? I’m discovering that people today think that God only works with major issues or that this is too simple to waste time asking God for direction. Where does God fit into our life?  Is it easier to convince ourselves that God should not be bothered with our problem or to consider the reality that we really want to have it “our way?”

It is a tragedy when Christians replace “faith in God” with faith in their family, friends or in the system.  I guess the old saying is true, “You get what you ask for.”

God is an awesome God. Let’s all quit limiting God by putting Him in a box. He can do anything. Having faith in God will involve leaving the “timing up to Him.” The acts and blessings of God are not received like a meal at a fast food restaurant. In our “instant gratification” society, faith has been placed on the back burner. God’s timing is always “right on time.”

More than anything else, living by faith makes life “simply beautiful.”