Faith. For those of us who know the Lord as our personal Saviour, faith is a very familiar word. We use the expression "come to faith" to describe someone who has responded to Christ's invitation of salvation and has placed their trust in Him. From that one-time decision we then are called to live by faith, believing in the unseen. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we now walk by faith and not by sight, confident in the One with whom we have placed our trust.
Faith however is not just a decision of the will, a response of the heart or an acknowledgement in our mind. Faith is an action word. It's a verb, not a noun. It is not passive, but active. Faith does. Faith never exists apart from action.
In the previous chapter in Matthew a Roman officer came to Jesus pleading for the healing of his young servant. The officer's trust in Christ caused Jesus to respond, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!" (Matthew 8:5-13)
Faith needs to be seen. It must be visible. It's not just speaking, it's stepping. Faith doesn't just sit still. Every day we have opportunity to live our faith so that others see Jesus. Faith goes beyond personal abilities and securities with the assurance that our obedience will be met by Christ's supply. Faith is abiding so closely with the Lord, that with confidence we never doubt that He will provide, and when His ask seems too grand, we know it will be met with His hand.
Seeing faith builds an ark when there's never been a drop of rain. It steps into the Red Sea. It picks up a stone to slay a giant. It sings in prison...walks on water...keeps praying, keeps believing and never loses hope. "Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." (Matthew 7:20)
How is your faith being seen today?
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