“And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour” (Matt. 8:13). 

Here is the example of a man of whom Jesus said had “great faith” (Matt. 8:10).  His faith led to the miraculous healing of his servant by Jesus.  While there are no miraculous healings today (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-10) now that the New Testament is completely revealed and confirmed, there is still something to be said about having a great faith.  Consider three things from the principle of “as you have believed, so be it unto you.”

1.  The Strength of Faith.  This centurion’s faith was like that of the faithful of old.  Paul wrote of Abraham’s faith, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:20-21).  Jesus was looking in Israel to find such faith and stated that he had not found so great a faith in them (cf. Matt. 8:10).  Paul stated of those in his day that not all have faith (cf. 2 Thess. 3:2).  Some who have faith are weak in the faith (cf. Rom. 14:1).  Consider what Jesus said to the centurion that as he believed so it would be to him.  What would happen today of spiritual growth if it all started with faith, which indeed it does (cf. 2 Peter 1:5)?  It takes the foundation of faith to be able to add the virtues that are needed.

2.  The Source of Faith.  The centurion’s faith was not a mere religious quality but a faith tied to the Lord.  The centurion was so convinced that Jesus could provide that he simply would rely on the very spoken word of Jesus as power enough to bring about the needed result (cf. Matt. 8:8-9).  He would understand fully the passage “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Seeing today that the written word of God is the foundation for a strong personal faith, how much confidence is there among people that there is great power in the word?  While Biblical faith for today is toward our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 20:21), such does not take place without a deep respect and close attachment to the New Testament of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said of his own words “they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).  His word will judge in the last day (cf. John 12:48).  One is proud and knows nothing if he rejects the word spoken by Jesus and the doctrine that is according to godliness (cf. 1 Tim. 6:3-4).  Where the New Testament has not gone, there are no Christians much less strong ones.

3.  The Success of Faith.  While the servant was healed due to the authority and power of Christ, there was no success of the healing according to Jesus if the centurion did not have faith.  The success would come “as thou hast believed” (Matt. 8:13).  Eternal salvation for the child of God is tied to a victorious faith (cf. 1 John 5:4, 13).  It is faith that works by love that avails (cf. Gal. 5:6).  It is the just who live by faith (cf. Rom. 1:17).  Biblical faith as a shield is successful in its result to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16).  Those who receive the crown of righteousness are to keep the faith (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7-8).  The Lord promises the eternal home of heaven to those who die in faith (cf. Heb. 11:13-16).  Therefore, let faith underpin one’s life of walking with God now and living with God when this life is over.                                                                                 

Jimmy Clark

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” --Matthew 6:12

           Here is a line that is both short and profound.  Jesus gives it as an element of the manner of prayer (cf. Matt. 6:9).  Forgiveness is often an element of prayer both privately and publicly.  Consider three observations about this element of prayer that gives sobering insights to life and relationships.

1.  Forgiveness is Critical to Being Right with God.  What would it have been like to simply leave this element out?  There would still be many good things found in the prayer.  Jesus knew that children of God need to know how a right relationship with God is maintained.  Sin is the great barrier between man and God (cf. Isa. 59:2).  Sin’s wages is death (cf. Rom. 6:23).  The Lord’s response to sin is either punishment or pardon.  It is always God’s desire to forgive (cf. Micah 7:18-19).  He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (cf. Eze. 18:23).  It is not a matter of if man will sin but simply when man sins what then (cf. Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).  Being forgiven is the reason for the cross of Christ (cf. Eph. 1:7).  God’s saving grace is tied to forgiveness (cf. Eph. 2:8-9).  Jesus would not leave out of this prayer a most critical aspect.

2.  Forgiveness is Conditional.  While remission of past sins is tied to repentance and baptism (cf. Acts 2:38), forgiveness also has conditional elements outside of the conditions to become a Christian.  Jesus stated further in the context of the prayer, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14-15).  The next point will consider the personal relationship thoughts, but right now consider the use of the word “if” (cf. Matt. 6:14, 15).  This underscores the fact that man has something to do with his own personal forgiveness with God.  While the grace of God, the love of God, the blood of Christ, the intercession of Christ, and other such like aspects of God’s work in redemption are essential to being forgiven, there is the side of man’s choosing under various situations that determines personal forgiveness.  Unconditional forgiveness is not found in the Bible.

3.  Forgiveness is Connected to Personal Relationships.  While all saved people want to stay in a right relationship with God by being forgiven, what is to be the response when one has been wronged?  The world views being wronged as an offense that demands personal retaliation and vindication.  Jesus, the sinless Son of God, would be wronged more than can be counted and yet forgiveness was on his dying lips (cf. Luke 23:34).  A forgiving spirit is to be the nature of the heart of the child of God, especially in the approach of prayer.

            There are two things cited by Jesus concerning forgiving and being forgiven.  First, there is the facet of the manner in which one is asking to be forgiven.  Notice the manner in the words “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12).  In other words, as a person forgives others who wrong him so let God forgive in the same manner.  Second, there is the fact of forgiveness in lieu of whether one forgives or does not forgive his debtors (cf. Matt. 6:14-15).  Therefore, how one approaches difficult relations with others is connected with being forgiven.  May every heart ponder and apply. 

Jimmy Clark