SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:1-10
“I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
Heidelberg Catechism, QA 21 — “What is true faith? True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture; it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit creates in me by the gospel, that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also, forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation. These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.”
I grew up with this definition of faith, but by it I wonder if this centurion had true faith.
Did he believe everything revealed in Scripture, did he believe in forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation?
Did he believe in all the articles of the Apostles’ Creed, which the Catechism goes on to say everyone must believe?
This man, like the man on the cross, did not know or believe the articles of the Christian faith, but as far as he could, with what limited knowledge he had, he was confident that Jesus could help him.
I do believe this trust was granted to him by the Holy Spirit, as incomplete as it was.
This is a reminder that faith in God and Jesus does not have to pass our test, but God’s.
I do believe that Jesus is the only way to be forgiven and set free, but I also believe that many more people will experience this, even if they didn’t qualify by our definitions of faith… even if they didn’t know Jesus as we do.
In the end, forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit, and not based on the merit of our definitions of faith, or our concept of who is saved.
I also wonder whether many who claim to believe the articles of the Christian faith, and who claim to be saved, are really and truly confident in Jesus?
But that is not for me to decide.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am sometimes not sure of what I believe about the articles of the Christian faith, but I am certain that my hope lies not in my faith or what I believe, but in God’s love and Your help. I am not worthy, but You are!
Observations/Application
Love for one another.
The centurion for his servant.
The elders for the centurion.
Acts of love by the centurion.
Chain of command.
Trust.
Knowing his worth/position.
The Lord is God and He is capable! He is able to do all things!
I believe.His Word.
Trust and obey for God is at work through His people always.
Continue to walk with the risen Saviour putting my hand in His.
That’s comfort.
That’s Life.
That’s trust
like a child and a Father.
That’s faith.
Prayer
O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret, help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the Godward way.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broad’ning way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.