When we trust God, we must also trust
what He has said. Trusting someone involves trusting that person's
words or that person's motives. With God we can trust both His words
and motives, for He is one that never errs and is always good. We are
going to take some time and see what true faith looks like in regards
to trust.
Scripture gives an excellent example in
the story of the Roman centurion who requested the healing of his
servant. The story is found in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The
reason why this is a great example is Jesus said so, “When Jesus
heard it [the centurion's request and reasoning], he marvelled, and
said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found
so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10.
What made Jesus say this? “The
centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worth that thou shouldest
come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be
healed.” Matthew 8:8. His reasoning for desiring this follows: “For
I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to
this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and
to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.” Matthew 8:9. Jesus had
initially told him that He would come and heal his servant, but the
centurion instead presented the request that Jesus speak the word
only. He recognized in his own authority that his words had power
with his men. In Jesus he recognized One who had authority at least
over disease and more since he felt that he was unworthy to have
Jesus under his roof. All the centurion wanted was for the command to
be uttered.
The phrase “speak the word only” is
the essence of great faith. This faith needs no signs, visual effects
or anything to assure it that God will perform what He has promised.
Great faith recognizes that the promise is sufficient, it recognizes
the authority of the word of God. Everyone who has such faith relies
only on the word to accomplish what it says because of Him who spoke
it.
The first book of the Bible, Genesis,
starts off with showing the power of the word of God. Every day of
the creation account it tells us that “God said . . . and it was
so” with the only exception being the Sabbath. The Psalmist writes
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of
them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done;
he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:6,9. When God promises
us help for whatever we need whether it be money, transformation of
character, strength to withstand temptation, any need, it will be
supplied if we believe His promise. That same word that brought the
worlds into existence is before you now for your recreation in Christ
Jesus. This word has power to transform watery voids and sin filled
hearts.
There is still more to cover in our
discussion of faith, but to summarize true faith means trusting God's
word to do just what it says. That word is what created the earth you
stand on and everything upon it. It is that same word that James
tells us will save the soul (James 1:21). Will you trust that word
and be saved? It is up to you.
