Amazing Grace

The Gospels record numerous times when people were amazed at the words and works of Jesus Christ. Interestingly there are two accounts of Jesus himself being amazed. He was amazed at the lack of faith of those Jews from his hometown, (Mark 6:6), he was also amazed at the great faith of the gentile centurion with the deathly ill servant, (Luke 7:9).

Both the lack of faith and fact of great faith amazed Jesus Christ! Faith was often the subject of his lessons to the disciples. He often challenged them concerning their lack of faith and reminded them that even faith as small as a mustard seed could remove mountains, because nothing would be impossible to those with God glorying faith, (Matthew 17:20). Jesus even asked the penetrating question, "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8).

Since "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6), faith is a necessary part of any believer's life. It is good therefore to periodically to take a faith check. In making decisions do I focus on the power of circumstances or the power of Christ? Do I have a faith perspective or a fear perspective? Am I known for my faithfulness or my faithlessness? Is my life characterized by anemic faith or by energetic faith? Do I have a conserve and preserve mentality? Do my weaknesses provide an excuse for not going forward with Christ or do they give me an opportunity to glorify Christ in my frailties? When I look back over my shoulder at the end of the day do I see the accomplishment of my plans or God's plans? Do I observe my power or God's power? Have things happen because of my persuasion or God's persuasion?

In the two accounts of Christ's amazement, "need" was an important factor in the faith that was either exhibited or inhibited. The hometown folks, filled with a sense of satisfaction with themselves had no need for a messiah, whereas the gentile centurion, knowing that he was not of the covenant people, knew deeply that only by grace could he hope to have the healing hand of Christ touch his servant. Those without a sense of need ignore Christ, those with a deepening sense of need implore Christ to come to their aid.

The Apostle Paul gives the secret to developing a sense of need so that we can exercise amazing faith; "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, (Romans 10:17). Faith it appears, is directly proportional to the amount of the Word digested. For example there is a "Sunday Morning Faith" demonstrated by those who only eat second hand the Word of God and have no regular walk with God. Then there is a "Daily Bread Faith" seen in those who read a devotional guide but who usually skip the assigned Scripture portions. The "Through the Bible in a Year Faith" is exhibited by those who systematically read the Word. And then there is "The Lovers and Doers Faith" of the ones who eagerly devour the Word of God. These are constantly displaying greater acts and attitudes of faith. They begin to really believe that God can use them to help accomplish His great commission and great commandment.

Amazing faith is for any child of God who you will admit his need and eagerly read, mediate and apply the Word of God to his every situation.