F A I T H

W H A T   I S   I T   ?

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

And a centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.

When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.

When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying,   "He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue."

Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;

for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

"For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, 

"I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."

Luke 7:1-9 (NASB)

Parable of Two Debtors

And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher."

"A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

"When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?"

Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.

"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.

"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"

And He said to the woman, 

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Luke 7:40-50

Recently a conversation took place in a modest home in North Carolina between two giants standing on the American landscape. Between them, these two men have influenced the lives and vision of multiplied millions of people.

Dr. Billy Graham inspired people with his rock-solid faith and declaration of the divinity of Jesus Christ and integrity of God's Word.

More recently Glenn Beck has risen as a spokesman for the founding principles of the American Republic, reminding his hearers of the biblical faith which undergirded the Founders. 

Billy Graham and Glenn Beck -- the Founders of the United States of America -- biblical believers in America and across the world -- all agree on this cornerstone of true faith:

"I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life.  

No man comes to the Father except by Me."

Cross, Dove, Shadow Branch

So let us, like the prodigal son in Jesus' parable, arise and go to our Father.

Faith is not like some morning mist which is there, then gone.

Faith has a foundation, which is the crucified, resurrected and ascended Son of God,

Jesus Christ.

Faith expresses itself in recognition of God's divine authority over all creation including mankind.

Faith expresses itself in heartfelt worship, as when the sinful woman ministered to Jesus by washing his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, then anointing them with ointment.

When we fulfill the conditions of acknowledging God's authority over us,

When we gratefully accept the sacrifice of Jesus' Blood for our sins, and

When we worship Him with praise and thanksgiving,

and through simple obedience,

His gift of Faith will fill and transform us.

Come, let us go to Him now...together.