Luke 7:6b-7 He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed." (NIV)
The Roman centurion's personal servant was going to die. Despairing, he had asked the Jewish elders to see if Jesus would help; but then he changed his mind at the last minute. He quickly sent his friends with another message, to stop Jesus coming; saying that he was unworthy of Jesus coming to his house. The powerful soldier was in awe of Jesus, because when the Lord spoke, things happened: demons were cast out and the sick were healed. It was clear that Jesus had a superior authority to him.
Faith is all about trusting somebody's word. It is not primarily about comforting thoughts or peaceful feelings (they are the consequence of obedience). Faith is the confidence to take action because we believe that the promised result will be fulfilled. That is the essence of trusting Jesus. Sometimes, the action required is to do nothing, and wait for God to act. That is how it was for the centurion. He demonstrated his faith by pulling back from asking Jesus to visit, because he believed that one word of command from Jesus (without any physical demonstration or touch) would be enough.
The proof of faith is obedience, and sometimes that means actively restraining ourselves from taking our own action, and allowing God to be seen to act. It is hard to be still and know that one word from God and the job is done. Sometimes, an inner evil urge convinces us that 'something must be done', and we confuse activity for obedience. An action is only obedience if the Lord has given the command to do it. Perhaps the Lord is taking us through times when we should do nothing, except to wait for His powerful word to be fulfilled. If, today, He is calling you to stand still while He works, any activity is disobedience! Wait for the Lord to show His powerful hand.
The Roman centurion's personal servant was going to die. Despairing, he had asked the Jewish elders to see if Jesus would help; but then he changed his mind at the last minute. He quickly sent his friends with another message, to stop Jesus coming; saying that he was unworthy of Jesus coming to his house. The powerful soldier was in awe of Jesus, because when the Lord spoke, things happened: demons were cast out and the sick were healed. It was clear that Jesus had a superior authority to him.
Faith is all about trusting somebody's word. It is not primarily about comforting thoughts or peaceful feelings (they are the consequence of obedience). Faith is the confidence to take action because we believe that the promised result will be fulfilled. That is the essence of trusting Jesus. Sometimes, the action required is to do nothing, and wait for God to act. That is how it was for the centurion. He demonstrated his faith by pulling back from asking Jesus to visit, because he believed that one word of command from Jesus (without any physical demonstration or touch) would be enough.
The proof of faith is obedience, and sometimes that means actively restraining ourselves from taking our own action, and allowing God to be seen to act. It is hard to be still and know that one word from God and the job is done. Sometimes, an inner evil urge convinces us that 'something must be done', and we confuse activity for obedience. An action is only obedience if the Lord has given the command to do it. Perhaps the Lord is taking us through times when we should do nothing, except to wait for His powerful word to be fulfilled. If, today, He is calling you to stand still while He works, any activity is disobedience! Wait for the Lord to show His powerful hand.
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