Faith comes in many forms
Scripture reading: Mark 9:14-24. Text: “IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, for he (Jesus Christ) cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13. The quotation you read below is a part of that short dialogue that took place between Jesus and a sick boy’s father who had asked the Lord to heal his son: “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!'” Mark 9:21-24. For the whole story please read Mark 9:14-29 and our Scripture reading is a part of it.
THERE ARE ONLY TWO CATEGORIES: BEING FAITHFUL OR FAITHLESS – TO WHICH ONE DO WE BELONG?
If our faith is not active, personal, important, and sensitive, spiritual healing is in order. Let us be careful, we have no privilege to criticize others – Christ said: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1) – however, we know, first of all from ourselves, that we are not perfect believers, our faith is not unshakable.
It has been mentioned so many times: “this is what the Bible says,” and if you like to quote the Scriptures, please go through these Bible quotations, one by one, and ask yourself: “which one (or ones) refers to me?”
– PRECIOUS faith – “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as PRECIOUS as ours:” 2 Peter 1:1.
– VICTORIOUS faith – “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the VICTORY that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4.
– FIRM faith – “Resist him, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9.
– Faith of manifestation – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is FAITH EXPRESSING ITSELF through love.” Galatians 5:6. Please read also 1 Corinthians 13:13.
– Faith of enrichment – “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be RICH IN FAITH and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5.
– Blind yet strong faith – “Then Jesus told him (the doubting Thomas), ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED.'” John 20:29.
– Saving faith – Jesus said: “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN THE SON has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36.
– Connecting faith – “IF YOU BELIEVED MOSES, YOU WOULD BELIEVE ME, for he wrote about me.” John 5:46.
– Instrumental faith – “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts THROUGH FAITH.” Ephesians 3:17.
– Genuine faith – “These have come so that YOUR FAITH – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – MAY BE PROVED GENUINE and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7.
– Sincere faith – “I have been reminded of your SINCERE FAITH, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5. (How many times were believers blamed for being hypocrites?)
– Incomplete faith: “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply WHAT IS LACKING IN YOUR FAITH.” 1 Thessalonians 3:10.
– Faith to grow: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘INCREASE OUR FAITH!'” Luke 17:5.
– Well-known faith – “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because YOUR FAITH IS BEING REPORTED ALL OVER THE WORLD. Romans 1:8.
– Challenging faith – “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and URGE YOU TO CONTEND (STRIVE) FOR THE FAITH that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Judas 3.
This list is not complete. Praise the Lord if your faith deserves appreciation, and pray to the Lord if your faith should be strengthened. Apostle Paul’s admonition has always been timely: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith; tests yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. How wonderful would be if we would hear the same answer what the Canaanite woman did: “. . . you have great faith!” Matthew 15:28.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.