In Luke 7:1-10 we read how Jesus was AMAZED at the faith of a Roman centurion. The faith the centurion had, was faith in Jesus’ authority! He The centurion knew how authority worked. His military training prepared him to embrace faith because through that understanding of authority, a light bulb went off in his spiritual senses and, he was convinced of Jesus’ authority. He demonstrated by his words that he knew if Jesus spoke the healing into being that based on His authority the servant would be healed. He just requested that Jesus say the word, and he believed his servant would be healed. Jesus was blown away that the centurion would recognize His authority.
How about this definition of faith? Faith is the recognition and respect for Jesus’ authority in any circumstance!
What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 who in defiance to king refused to bow down to the golden image the king established even though the penalty was death by being put in the fiery furnace. The three young Hebrew boys resolutely said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Here we see another definition of faith at work.
Faith is the confidence that God will always have the final say in your life and for that reason you will stay faithful to Him rather than seek an easy way out.
God is looking for some people with some “But if not” faith.
Verse 23 tells us the three men were firmly tied up when they were thrown into the furnace. Verse 25 tells us they were unbound and walking around. God says to us, “I can deliver you in the fire before delivering you from the fire.” The ropes weren’t going to determine how Sam, Mark, and Abe experienced the furnace. Jesus was going to determine how they experienced their fiery trial. They were going to be free in the fire before they became free from the fire, and He was going to walk with them through the fire.
Nothing and no one can trump Him. Proverbs 21:30 says, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” Our God is never out of options!
A final definition of faith: Faith is the total belief that no matter what you are facing, the KING still has one more move.
Believing in Jesus’ authority, choosing to be a “but if not” person, being open and expectant that the King still has one more move, that is the kind of faith that amazes Jesus.
Let’s look to the Lord in faith this week!
Pastor Melissa
