March 2022 Your Faith Speaks

 

Do you know that your faith can be seen? If you can take a look in your life and you will know that your faith speaks, and it can be seen.

In the book of 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17, it says “All scripture is GOD breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to GOD’S Will, both publicly and privately, behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of GOD may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

That’s why it’s important to read Scriptures and the Word of GOD regularly, because it is for our good, and there is so much we need to know and learn about GOD and HIS Will for our lives.

Let’s read the story of this Centurion man who the LORD Jesus praised him for having a great faith. The story is from the book of Luke chapter 7 from verses 1 to 12, and it records that, “Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “LORD, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.”

The LORD Jesus was amazed by this Centurion because of his faith. He saw his faith and was astonished to the point of saying He has not found such great faith, not even in Israel. Based on what the LORD Jesus said, this Centurion was a Gentile and not an Israelite descendant, and he truly believed that the LORD Jesus didn’t have to come to him and his servant in order to be healed. All the LORD Jesus needed to say is His Word from where He was, and his servant would be healed, and which is what happened. The passage says when those who were sent returned to the house they found the servant who had been sick was well.

I’m not sure, but I think by this time of the LORD Jesus ministry, many of them believed they had to be touched by the LORD to be healed and delivered, and that He had to physically be there for them to receive their miracles.

This Centurion was a man placed under certain authority. And because of his authority and the power he has been given according to his position, when he said to his soldiers under him to go and come, do this and that, they obeyed and did it. Therefore he truly believed since the LORD Jesus also has authority, based on Who He Is, then He could command using His authority from wherever He was to heal this Centurion servant, and the servant shall be healed. He believed that all the LORD Jesus needed for his servant to be well is to say it, “Be healed,” and the servant would be healed.

The Centurion believed in the LORD Jesus and believed in His Word. He knew because of the Authority of His Name and His Word, and of Who He Is, if He spoke a Word, it would be established. And the LORD Jesus was very impressed when He saw this Centurion faith in Him.

There is also another story recorded in the Bible of this paralyzed man who was healed by the LORD Jesus that shows also faith speaks. 

In the book of Luke chapter 5 from verses 17 to 39, it says; “On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, some proud religious law keepers and teachers of the Law were sitting by Him. They had come from every town in the countries of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The Power of the LORD was there to heal them. Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law keepers thought to themselves, “Who is this Man Who speaks as if He is GOD? Who can forgive sins but GOD only?” Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to them, “Why do you think this way in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? “So that you may know the Son of Man has the right and the power on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the man who could not move his body, “I say to you, get up. Take your bed and go to your home.” At once the sick man got up in front of them. He took his bed and went to his home thanking GOD. All those who were there were surprised and gave thanks to GOD, saying, “We have seen very special things today.”

The story says, the LORD Jesus saw their faith when the paralyzed man and the men who were carrying him breaking through the roof to get to Him, when they couldn’t find another way to get to Jesus through the big crowd. They heard Jesus was in town, and they made up their mind that even if they had to break the roof to get to Jesus, then let it be so, because they saw the opportunity and they were not going to let it pass them by. They were determined enough, and the LORD Jesus saw their faith through their action.

It’s not enough to declare it, or say it, or just believe it, but your faith has to be backed up by your actions. Faith has got to be put to work. Faith can be seen because it moves you and me to do the things we believe about. When we believe about something, usually we will start speaking about it. And then we will start meditating and pondering its truth, until it becomes the dominant part of our mindsets, and eventually we will start acting according to our faith.

In the book of James chapter 2 verse 17, it says that “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Apostle James mentioned that anybody can believe. He said even demons or evil spirits also believe there is GOD and are scared, and yet still disobey Him (read the book of James chapter 2 verses 14 to 26). 

But what will distinguish you and me is our obedience towards GOD; not only by our faith, but through our actions as well. In the book of James chapter 2 verse 24, apostle James went on saying that “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

Show me a person who has attained meaningful things, and you will see a person who has practiced his or her faith, and put it into action. Our aspirations will remain aspirations, unless we put our faith about them into action. Whether we have small measure of faith, or great faith like the Centurion, what it matters is that we live and walk by faith, and our faith can be seen by your actions. 

The Bible says in Romans chapter 1 verse 17, "For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."