When Faith Takes Hold

MEMORY SELECTION: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” —Matthew 21:22

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14:25-33; 15:21-28

THE Jewish people had been taught for centuries that the way to divine favor and eternal life was by performance, that is, perfect obedience under the Law Covenant. The law, however, being a measure of a perfect man’s ability to keep, made it impossible for imperfect men to bring forth fruitage under it. To demonstrate this was one of the purposes of the law.

The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 3:19-22, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

The Apostle Paul also states in Romans 3:19-22, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”

And so with the first advent of Jesus and the beginning of a new age, the Gospel Age, harmony and communion with God could at last be attained through faith—faith in the promises of God and the atoning blood of Jesus.—Rom. 5:1,2,9

A faith that will abide the trials and testing of the Christian’s walk must be grounded in knowledge and not credulity. And we also know that, according to the Apostle Paul, “all men have not faith.” (II Thess. 3:2) We find that in the Lord’s arrangements he has made abundant provision for these needs. In John 6:44,45 we read the statement of Jesus, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. … It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

It follows, then, that the Lord calls only those who have the potential of faith to consummate their covenant of sacrifice. And he also makes ample provision for the acquiring of knowledge by those whom he has called. The Apostle Paul, in I Corinthians 2:4,5,7,10, states, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. … But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: … But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Those who respond to the Lord’s call are begotten of the Holy Spirit and enlightened with respect to God’s plans and purposes, that their faith should stand in the power of God.

An enlightened faith gives direction to the lives of those whom the Lord has called, and the direction is indicated in Romans 12:1,2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

A faith that is built on the sure foundation of the Word of God will seek to find expression in works. These works consist of preaching the Gospel, of suffering for righteousness, and of laying down our lives for the brethren, the Lord, and the kingdom interests.

Therefore, when faith really takes hold in our lives it will lead us up the narrow pathway to glory.

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