When God Says …
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.” (Luke 7:9-10 NIV).
In these passages, we watch FAITH IN ACTION which is referred to a lot in James 2:17 by many, out of context, as efforts and works. Faith in action does not mean action to obey the law. Rather it is an effortless act to rest in the grace of God to manifest the content of the heart. This is what the Lord Jesus marvels at the Roman centurion's extraordinary faith, for one who has no knowledge of the law, stating He hasn't seen such great faith in Israel. He just believed and rest in the Lord's provision of grace. The religious Jews in Israel are so zealous in trying hard to follow the law which they could not. The law was so perfect and holy. It was given to increase sin (Romans 5.29), to make them, and all of us realize we needed a Savior by grace.
The gentile Roman centurion believed the Lord Jesus had the authority to heal his servant remotely, just by speaking the word, a testament to his deep trust in the Lord’s power and a recognition of His divine nature. Unrestricted by distance, the servant was healed and made well, as witnessed by the centurion’s Jewish emissaries. All because the Roman official stepped into the presence of the Person of grace, believing. These texts teach the importance of humble, active faith in God's power and authority, leading to the servant’s miraculous healing. These affirm total rest in the Lord’s grace.
A gentile man who has no knowledge of the law is declared by the Lord Jesus Christ to have Great faith! This Roman official is not conscious of his standing by performance, rather consciously recognize the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He exhibits an unqualified trust in the Lord’s grace, and the Lord’s unhindered ability to heal from a distance by His word. This Gentile's "unconscious faith" was marked by humility to recognize authority.
This Roman officer was unaware of the law, as he was not under the law. He focused on the Lord’s inherent grace, love, and authority, rather than his own faith and merit to be deserve. His focus, as we all must - now being children of God in Christ Jesus, is in Christ Jesus. Scriptures remind us this: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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