Wednesday, October 22, 2014

FAITH THAT WILL NOT FAIL


 

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”  (Mark 2:3-5)

These four men believed that if they could bring their friend to Jesus, He could and would help him.  The man could never get there himself.  Someone had to bring him.  But, even when they arrived in the vicinity, with some effort expended, the obstacles appeared too large to overcome.  A seemingly impenetrable wall of people encircled Jesus.  What were they to do?

They did not give up.  They would not make excuses.  Faith finds a way.  What they did had never been done before.  There was no guarantee of success in their plan.  In discussion among themselves, it may have seemed outlandish.  But, as they looked at their paralyzed friend’s sad condition, they knew that to do nothing was to assure failure.  So, they threw caution to the wind—and the result was a transformation in that man’s life, then and for eternity.  Not only was he healed physically, but spiritually!

If we would bring people to Jesus, we can also be sure of obstacles to overcome. Such a task is seldom quick and easy.  It may require, “thinking outside the box.”  Certainly, this method had never been used before!  Others may need to be enlisted to assist us.  There is a price to pay—but, what is the value of a soul?  Excuses never get the job done. 

We need a faith that perseveres.  In the face of difficulty, our faith is to be determined.  It is at the intersection of faith that the power of God meets the poverty of man—and life change occurs.

So, we roll up out sleeves, set aside our fear and questions, and press forward in faith.  Our friends need Jesus!  Let’s find a way to bring them!

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