Faith in Jesus makes up the Mechanics of Life.
We’ve been investigating faith. Here’s the reason: “Without faith it’s impossible to please God.” That’s absolute! “Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who truly seek Him.” Here’s an illustrative episode.
When Jesus re-entered Capernaum, a rumor spread that He was in somebody’s house. Such a large crowd collected that it was impossible even to get near the doorway. Meanwhile, four men arrived to see Jesus, bringing with them a paralytic. When they found it was impossible to get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the tiles from the roof over Jesus’ head and let down the paralytic’s bed through the opening. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man on the bed, “My son, get up, pick up your bed and go home.” At once the man sprang to his feet, picked up his bed and walked off in full view of them all. (Mark 2:1-12)
What did Jesus “see” in “their faith”? Unquestionably, the four seriously sought Jesus. For their reckless action they could have faced charges for breaking and entering as well as payment for damages. Their reputations could have been sunk. However, it seems that nothing was going to sidetrack their determination to get their friend to Jesus! They were going to do WHATEVER “to see Him.”
Chariots of Fire is a movie about Eric Liddell, a runner in the 1924 Olympic Games. Refusing to run the 100 meter (his best race) scheduled for a Sunday, Liddell registered to run in the 400 meters. Just moments before the race, an American handed him a piece of paper on which was written a Scripture: “Those who honor Me I will honor.” Liddell ran the race with the verse in his hand and claimed Olympic Gold and a new world record with a time of 47.6 seconds. About running Liddell said, “I believe God made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
The Four Unknowns were rewarded for their faith. They discovered a secret: God made us for faith! Can you imagine how they felt when their friend “sprang to his feet, picked up his bed and walked off…”? I believe they felt the pleasure of God!
Check back next Friday as we continue our Faith on Fridays series.