ICS Daily Devotions
What Is Real Faith?
Although the Christian walk is a lifestyle of faith, many Christians are not walking by faith in God and unwilling to trust God and let Him take control over our lives. Nevertheless, the only certainty that we have in life is God is unchangingly faithful and true to His word.
Matthew 8:5-13 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith….13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Just like the centurion, all of us will have some form of need that requires us to seek the help of God by faith. Real faith or heart faith is different from mental assent of faith which is an agreement intellectually regarding the promises of God but will give way to circumstances under pressure. Real faith that is established on the Word of God is unmovable under pressure.
Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Impossible means impossible and therefore, the only way to please God is through faith.
Hebrews 11:1 says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “Things not seen” shows there is no consulting with human faculties or “feelings.” For example, Noah was asked to build the ark when he had never seen rain! The ark was a test of faith.
The centurion diligently sought Jesus and therefore, the key to faith is to diligently seek Him and when He has spoken to us, it gives substance to our faith and God will give His grace in our heart to hold on until the promise comes to pass.
Sermon Series: Jesus’ Definition of Faith
