SOUNDING OUT:
Seeing the Invisible

  People often lament their lack of faith and desire to have their faith increased. When reminded that they have the faith of Jesus Christ and that no greater faith than that is available, they even respond, “Yes, I know I have the faith of Jesus Christ spiritually, but I cannot seem to believe.” Two things about that statement cause me concern.

  First, people use the word “spiritually” as if that has nothing to do with reality. “I have the faith of Jesus Christ spiritually, but in reality I cannot believe to operate the power of God.” What they have spiritually in Christ is so far removed from reality in their minds that they cannot equate the two.

  Second, the use of “but” indicates that they do not really believe what they previously said. It shows contradiction; it shows contrast; it shows that they really don’t believe that what precedes the “but” is “in reality” true.

  Where do our minds go when we think about the great spiritual realities of life? Is it just, “Pie in the sky, by and by!”? Is it just a dream, or is it reality? Can it be true and not be real? Doesn’t the truth make a difference in our lives? Of course it does.

  We are told to look at the unseen things, which are eternal. At first glance, this verse appears to be impossible, a contradiction. How can you look at something that’s invisible? It is the figure of speech, oxymoron, wise saying. What at first glance appears to be foolish or impossible is upon further consideration exceedingly wise.

  We cannot let ourselves be fooled by the five senses. God did not magnify our five senses above His name; He magnified His Word above His name. We look at the truth of the Word as being more sure than if we actually saw it with our eyes. The things you are to look at are eternal, even though they may be invisible to your sense of sight.

  Notice that Paul did not say that we look at things that “are not” or “do not exist.” He said that we look at things that are unseen. They exist; you just can’t see them with your natural eyes. This is absolutely critical to understand, and God emphasized it with the figure, oxymoron. The things of the Spirit are real, and they exist. They are just invisible. Remember Hebrews 11:1?

  Faith gives substance to the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word is true even if no one believes it. However, when someone does believe it, their faith makes it tangible, giving them the evidence or proof that it is real. Too many people think of the great spiritual realities of life as existing on a different plane than the one on which we live. Our righteousness, our healing, our sanctification, and redemption are real. They are realities, and they exist. God’s Word declares the truth that they are ours, NOW. Too often people beg and plead with God to do something that God has declared in His Word He has already done. Indeed, our very request indicates that we do not believe what God declares in His Word.

  When something changeable collides with something that cannot change, it is the changeable that alters! The eternal will remain unchanged. How you feel and think right now are temporal; they can change. God’s Word is eternal and cannot change. When the facts of your situation collide with the eternal Word of God, the Word of God will not be what changes! If anything changes, it is our circumstances that must change to line up with the Word.

  How does one, “Look at things that are eternal.”? We look on things eternal when we meditate on God’s Word. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Speak the eternal truth to yourself and others. The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word will do its job (never returning void; Isaiah 55:11), as we do our job and speak it upon lips of believing.

  Perhaps you are thinking, “I wish I had the faith to do that!” You do! When you feel you need some help, go to someone you know can help you. Even in the face of continued failure we can say, “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief.” Your faith, the faith of Jesus Christ, is able to do the job. I know you may want more faith, but you do not need it. You are never going to get more faith, than the faith of Jesus Christ that you already have.

  When the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, his answer to them was very enlightening. People get so concerned at times at “building their believing.” I’m just not so sure that is a biblical concept. People can get so “hung up” about the “size” of their believing. If only I had greater faith I could… (You fill in the blank.) Let’s read what Jesus said when his disciples asked him about increasing their faith.

  What did Jesus do in response to their request? Did Jesus lay hands on them and impart to them more faith? Did Jesus commend them for wanting to get more faith? It seems to me that Jesus simply changed their focus. Instead of working to increase the amount of faith they had, he simply exhorted them to realize the power in the faith they already had. Even the tiniest seed of faith can do wonderfully powerful things if we would attach words to it. Faith is demonstrated in our words and actions. The mighty power of God’s Word is unleashed when it is spoken on lips of believing.

  Remember those great verses in Mark 11?

  Remember Jesus is teaching them after just having demonstrated the truth when speaking to the fig tree. When we walk by the spirit we simply say and do whatever God inspires us to say or do. God empowers us to believe when we operate the manifestation of faith. Faith produces miracles and gifts of healing when we attach words to it. If we want the same “spirit of faith” that Paul had we should do as he did. Remember what Paul said in II Corinthians 4:13?

  Both here and in Psalms 116:10 from which it is quoted, it is faith in God’s saving grace that led to speaking. As Spurgeon has so eloquently said, “The most powerful speech which has ever been uttered by the lip of man has emanated from a heart fully persuaded of the truth of God.” If you believe, then you speak. Logically then, if you do not speak, then you do not believe.

  Notice that it says first we believe, then we speak. We do not confess something we do not believe. We do not “fake it ‘til we make it.” We do not convince ourselves by confessing it. It is confession of belief that yields receipt of confession. We do not have the attitude that “I’ll say it and see what happens.” If we know what God says we simple believe it and tell the world about it.

  It is so unprofitable to try to evaluate how much faith you have. Why does it even matter if we can as Jesus taught, “Have the faith of God.” Faith, as a mustard seed, can move mountains if you express it in words. Concentrate on the promises of God and speak to the situation with your mouth out loud. That’s what Jesus did.

  Jesus told them to “have the faith of God” and then talked about what their faith could do. Jesus could not command them to do this if it were impossible! Therefore, you can! You can speak to mountains and have them move. Don’t go around saying that you just can’t believe God. Go around saying that you can believe God, because Jesus said you can! Yes, God’s Word says so!

  Jesus said verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto it will get what they say. When we speak, believing what we say shall come to pass, we receive whatsoever we speak. The power of God’s Word is unleashed when we speak it.

  Although we often emphasize the faith part, Jesus really emphasized the speaking part. The people Jesus commended for great faith were those who believed that when Jesus spoke, something would happen. They believed so much in the power of words that they did not need Jesus to come and minister personally. Jesus spoke and things happened. What power is available to us as we speak the Word of the Lord, remembering the Word of the Lord never returns void.

  The centurion (Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:2-10) understood authority. When Jesus offered to come and heal his servant he said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus recognized and marveled at this man’s great faith and said that he did know of anyone in Israel with this kind of believing.

  A Gentile woman, who was not one of the children of Israel to whom Jesus came to minister, persisted in asking Jesus do something about her demon-possessed daughter even after being told that it was not available. She just sought for a crumb from the master’s table that would heal her daughter. She received her “crumb” when Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Jesus merely spoke those words; and the woman believed the words. Jesus spoke and her daughter was healed. What an example of great faith.

  They both knew that what was needed was for Jesus to speak the word. When he did it would be done. Their faith was great because they demonstrated an understanding of the power of the spoken word. They received and it was done unto them according as they believed.

  Don’t belittle how much you already believe. Unleash your faith by putting words and action to it. Say and do whatever God tells you. You will find the exceeding greatness of His power is directed to you who believe.