There is an old saying, "Words are cheap." Another saying, "Put up or shut up" gives another idea relative to this statement. Words are measured in value in the kind of fruit they produce. The words of God contain laws, testimonies, precepts, commandments, fear, and judgments of the Lord. The Bible teaches that God's words are worth more than gold; Psalm 19:7-10. Where there may be inherent value in something, because of ignorance in that, the value will not be realized. Have you ever heard the following statement or something similar, "Doesn't he see a good deal when it's right in front of his face?" Ignorance is at the root of not seeing any value or worth. Today, people are ignorant of the word of God. Because of a lack of knowledge, people do not realize the value inherent in the word of God. The consequences are great, God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6 NASB).

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17 NASB). Faith is the essential element, however, not any kind of faith. There is a kind of faith that is blind and a kind that "sees." Blind faith is characterized by arbitrary whim and fancy. This faith originates from a germ of death, which contains no real or true properties of life. With no real or true properties of life, there can be no proven worth. In short, it is a worthless and vain faith. It might appear that a guided faith is better than a blind faith, however, these two can coexist together. For we are either guided right or misguided. No wonder Jesus said, "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15:14 NASb).

Our faith must originate from a germ of life, be the kind that "sees," and our guidance characterized by a proper understanding of God's word. Paul the apostle wrote by inspiration, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:18 NASB) (bolding mine, ACW). This passage shows that knowledge that comes from God is essential for the realization of the value of the things of God.

A seeing faith is not to be taken for granted or misunderstood. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (NASB). What is not seen here, is that not seen by physical eyes. We physically have not seen God, Jesus, heaven, hell, devil, or other spiritual matters. However, spiritually we can "see" these. This can be illustrated by Jesus in His response to Philip's misunderstanding. Jesus begins, ""If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'?"" (John 14:7-9 NASB).

It is evident that Philip was thinking physical and Jesus spiritual. Jesus did not say He was the Father. Only that, if you know one you know the other; if you see one, spiritually speaking, you see the other. Remember, "God is spirit . . ." (John 4:24 NASB). If you have seen one horse, you have seen them all even though you may be able to differentiate them by color, size, age, or other horse marks of comparison. With God, we have here "the Father" and "Jesus" "the Son" to show a distinction between the two. We may not need to know more than that. It is how they think, their attributes, their expectations, and their will that is the same. As a rule, all horses have four legs, all run, all eat, all get sick and all die. With the Father and the Son, they love mankind, they hate sin, they are just, they are merciful, and they both give life.

How can I have this seeing faith? This question presents another hurdle to confront. Be careful of the answer you hear. For many have chosen the wrong path and have "fallen into a pit." The Bible teaches that God and Christ are one; John 17:20-23. It would follow that there is only one faith, since God is not a God of confusion; 1 Corinthians 14:33. The Bible teaches there is one faith; Ephesians 4:4-6. The Bible never talks about "faith" in the plural, as in "faiths." There is only the one faith of God and Christ. Either you have it or you don't. All people can have it, but not all do.

In our nation, we practice freedom of religion. It is also considered a right, which is protected by law. To physically trespass upon a person's free moral choice in religious matters, runs contrary to the scriptures. This is in line with our free moral agency, for God does not physically force us to line up with His way. However, to interpret this right by saying, "every faith is as good as another," goes too far and also runs contrary to the scriptures. This great hurdle must successfully be leaped. The challenge is yours.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing God's word; Romans 10:17. Do not listen to me or any other spiritual teacher. You must listen to Christ. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, there appeared Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Peter, James, and John were present and Peter was ready to make three tabernacles, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. However, there appeared a cloud, and a voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" (Mark 9:7 NASB). After this, Moses and Elijah were gone and Jesus was the only one present that Peter, James, and John saw. Jesus Christ is whom we are to listen. We listen to Christ through His word found in the scriptures. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16&17 NASB).

The conclusion is that there is only one faith that "sees," that originates from a germ of life, that contains the real and true properties of life. This germ is found in the seed of God, the word of God. ". . . for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God." (1 Peter 1:23 NASB). Truly knowing the one faith, which gives life, peace, freedom, and hope, is worth more than what man has ever known or experienced. ". . . contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3 NASB).