Note 15 at 2 Cor. 5:7: The Christian life is to be regulated and conducted by faith, as opposed to the external and outward appearances of physical sight. There is a sense in which sight is involved, but it is the spiritual seeing of faith rather than seeing with the physical eye.

Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses "By faith. . .forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." In other words, Moses' faith allowed him to carry on despite hardships, because he could see, that is, apprehend as if by physical sight, visualize, understand and comprehend, the God who is invisible (incapable of being seen [Jn. 1:18]).

Faith sees and understands with the heart as stated in Matthew 13:15, ". . .lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart. . ." Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18 "That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened" (NIV).

Faith is responding positively to God's promises. A particular promise of His Word must be seen, heard, understood and believed in the heart (Mt. 13:15, 23; Rom. 10:8, 10) so that it may be acted upon and bear fruit (Mt. 13:23; Jas. 2:17-18). One Greek word for "believe" is "peitho," and means "to be persuaded," and signifies "to allow oneself to be persuaded by hearing, which comes by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

Abraham was strong in faith because he was fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able also to perform (Rom. 4:20-21). The object of all true faith is God Himself, and not having faith in one's faith. Faith, like a seed, must be planted, watered, and nurtured (Mt. 13:18-23). It must always go back to the promise of God and the God behind that promise. Faith carries the idea of being certain and assured of the reality of what is believed (Heb. 11:1).

Note 16 at 2 Cor. 5:7: This is a very simple principle which is very difficult to do. Most of us are more dominated by our sense of sight than we are by our faith, and therein lies our basic problem. When we renew ourself to the point that faith dominates sight, then miracles happen.