Are you an instrument pilot?

It is refreshing to be able to edify even as I have been edified.

2 Cor 5:7
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

We purchased a video series a few years ago called "Moody's Sermons from Science". One of them describes what it is like to fly an airplane from instruments rather than from sight and how vital it is to know how to do this. Or maybe I should say that it shows how dangerous it can be to fly an airplane by sight under certain circumstances. In fact, all airplanes today are required to have instrument panels and pilots must have the skill to operate the plane solely by instruments only under such conditions as clouds, fog, darkness, heavy winds or storms, ...etc. No human mind has the ability to fly by sight under these conditions. You will be misled by what your mind tells you if you believe your eyes and your physical sense of balance. This is why instruments are necessary for pilots to survive the dangers of the sky.

This is a perfect analogy for Christians walking by faith and not by sight. What does this mean to walk by faith and not by sight? Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Heb 11:1, Rom 10:17).

If you are not personally diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth then you will find yourselves tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. God's Word is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ep 4:14, Heb 6:19, Ps 119:105, 2 Tim 2:15)

As it is with the instruments for the pilot so also a Christian must rely solely on God's Word in this dangerous and deceptive world as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. If we rely on what our minds and emotions tell us under certain conditions and do not test all things; hold fast what is good, we will find that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. God would rather that you know His Scriptures and meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (2 Pet 1:3, 1 Thes 5:19, Prov 14:12, 16:25, 1 Tim 4:15-16).

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. We should be as one who meditates day and night on these things for he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. We should not look at things according to the outward appearance. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. . (Col 3: 1-4, Ps 1:2-3, 2 Cor 10:7, 2 Cor 4:16-18 )

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. And there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ( 2 Tim 1:12, 2 Tim 4:8, Heb 12:1-2)

Speaking to those who love His appearing, now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong right up to the end, and he will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be his children—is holy. For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy." (1 Cor 1:7-9, 1 Thes 1:2, 1 Pet 1:13-16)

Thank You for Your Word of Grace Lord Jesus Christ... Amen!

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