|
|
Yesterday, we focused on that argument about healing which broke out when the religiously orthodox Jews attacked the disciples of Jesus who could not heal a possessed boy racked with horrendous fits. 'Go on then, heal him if all you claim is true. Let's see if your new faith works.' When Jesus came on the scene he cautioned his men for their lack of faith.This seemed to indicate that real faith, truly believing in Him, was a power line.Even if you only have a grain of real faith, you will be involved in God's miracles of healing. It is certainly true that once a church, no matter how small and obscure, begins to see people healed and to transform people's bodies, minds and souls in life-changing encounters, the world will beat a track to its door.
The real scandal of organised Christian belief today is its powerlessness. We are great on words, but empty on deeds. There is no power. There is no magnet to draw men and women to Christ, who said that when he was 'lifted up' (i.e. crucified) he would draw people to him, when he was uplifted, the crucified victor over all. So the power link seems to be the quality of our faith in Christ. But we can not compel ourselves to believe more than we do. I can't increase my faith by gritting my teeth. I can't close my mind and leave my brains at home, and discard all that I've learned and experienced to this point.
That is why the boy's father's prayer is most apt: "Lord, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief". So our prayer should be: when our faith runs out, give us some of your faith Lord.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2: 8-9
Another Prayer:
Because faith is entirely your gift to us, O Lord, and because we cannot increase it by our will powers, we trust you Lord to increase our faith, even to accomplish what is impossible for mankind.
Now read Exodus Chapter 14.
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
Click
here to play audio file