Daily Devotions
John
The commendation of great faith
Text: John 14 : 12 - 31
THE COMMENDATION OF GREAT FAITH
There is no mistaking the fact that Jesus was most pleased whenever He saw evidence of faith. He never failed to compliment and to encourage those who displayed great faith.
To the Gentile centurion who exercised faith in Jesus, He paid him just about the highest compliment ever.
“I say to you, I have not found such great faith,
not even in Israel!”
Luke 7:9
To those who turned to Him in faith for mercy, for forgiveness and healing, Jesus sought to use those opportunities to commend their faith. To the woman who sought Him for forgiveness, Jesus said,
“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Luke 7:50
To another woman who had sought him in desperate faith for healing grace, Jesus said,
“Daughter, be of good cheer;
your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:48
THE REBUKE OF LITTLE OR NO FAITH
When His Disciples showed lack of faith in Him, they were soundly reproved. He would ask them pointedly.
“Where is your faith?”
Luke 8:25
When the multitudes failed to exercise faith (on this occasion the Disciples were also blameworthy), Jesus reproved them with very strong words.
“O faithless and perverse generation,
how long shall I be with you and bear with you?”
Luke 9:41
A WORD OF CAUTION
While there is no question about the fact that Jesus praised those who possessed great faith, we need to understand what we mean when we use the word “faith”. This word was used by the author John on numerous occasions. It is vital that we always define the word “faith” whenever we see it appearing in the Gospel of John (and in any other Biblical text).
There are some who read their own meaning into the word “faith”. This word to some is nothing more than the wild imaginations of a person. If a person can imagine or visualize an item or a concept then he may “claim it by faith”.
It is important that we appreciate this important truth! This is NOT what Jesus meant! Yes, Jesus spoke to the Disciples that they could do “greater things” if only they had a greater faith in Him. However, this must not mean that we can do exactly the same thing that Jesus did!
There are certain things that no one could duplicate! Jesus walked on water! He fed multitudes with the barest minimum of ingredients. He healed a man born blind! These were truly special works! These works identified Jesus for who He was!
No matter how much faith a person may have, he is NOT going to be able to do some of the things that Jesus did! That is obvious!
FAITH IN THE PARADIGM OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
Before we can speak of applying faith to what Jesus promised, we must first comprehend what He actually said and meant! If we have misunderstood or if we have misinterpreted what He meant, then no matter how much faith we think or we imagine we have, nothing will result!
Faith is not some weapon that we can wield to prevail upon God to give us what we want! Faith is not something we hurl at God to coerce Him to obey us! That is unthinkable!
Before Jesus spoke of exercising faith, He made sure that He taught His Disciples first. Faith operates within a definite context or framework of thought. The teachings of Jesus would make up that paradigm. Faith cannot step out of the teachings of the Word of God! Any attempt to define faith outside the confines of Scripture must be declared as a false faith and therefore its application is made null and void!
STANDING IN AWE OF THE PROMISES OF JESUS
As Jesus prepared His Disciples for His demise, He gave them many precious and wonderful promises! It is of great importance that we train our hearts to stand in awe as we ponder and meditate on these promises made by Jesus!
Many have misunderstood the promises of Jesus. They have misapplied them. Worse, some have even abused the promises Jesus graciously gave to His Disciples!
Every promise made in the Scriptures must be received with the greatest sense of awe! We need to first fathom these promises! When we fail to do that, we will run into the danger of misusing or abusing the promises! God is not beholden to us in any way. A wrong application of the Scriptures in the name of faith does not hold much water!
Let us adopt the humble attitude of the Psalmist when he wrote Psalm 25. Humbly he asked God to teach him His ways. Let us never foolishly act presumptuously in so-called faith. Let us ask God to teach us His ways… His paths… His truth!
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On you I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:4-5