Moved By Faith

Many people think faith means a blind leap into the dark. Then they wonder what went wrong when God doesn't answer the way they hoped. Biblical faith is different. It is a series of steps of obedience, built on God's proven track record, that keep going even when the outcome looks nothing like what you expected.

What kind of faith amazed Jesus?

The faith that amazed Jesus was simple confidence in His authority. The Gospels record only a couple of moments when Jesus was amazed. One was a Roman centurion, a Gentile who came to a Jewish rabbi asking Him to heal his servant.

The centurion didn't ask Jesus to come to his house or to give him a dramatic sign. He understood authority, so he asked Jesus only to speak.

The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."

Matthew 8:8

Jesus said He had not found faith like that anywhere in Israel. On Beyond Sunday, Pastor Sean Sloan and guest Ambre Thill point out how striking that is. An outsider trusted who Jesus was more fully than some of His own followers. Even John the Baptist and Peter had moments of wondering.

The same Gospel tells of a woman who touched the edge of Jesus' cloak, hoping to be healed. Both she and the centurion were desperate. As Ambre put it, the dark night we try so hard to escape is often where God's light shines brightest.

Is faith a blind leap or a step?

Faith is a step, not a blind leap. A step of faith is an act of obedience to something God has already shown you in His Word or by His direction. At Calvary we describe faith that way, rather than as huge risks we take and then hope God blesses.

Abraham is the picture. God said go, and he went. God promised a son, and Isaac came when Abraham and Sarah were old. Each time, God spoke, Abraham acted, and God showed Himself faithful.

Years later, Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham still had no grandchildren, even though God had promised to make him the father of many nations. The servant asked what would happen if the woman wouldn't come back with him. Abraham said God would send His angel ahead, and if it didn't work out, the servant was released from his oath. Pastor Sean noticed there's no anxiety in Abraham in the waiting. He was fully confident God would do what He said.

That's how steps of faith work in your life too. The best way to know you heard God is to do what He said and see that it was right. Then you take the next step, and the next.

Why isn't biblical faith blind?

Biblical faith isn't blind because it rests on evidence. Biblical faith is trust grounded in God's character, His Word, the person of Christ, and a long record of faithfulness.

David didn't walk out to face Goliath on a hunch. The God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear would deliver him again. His whole army was afraid, and he went out confident because he knew who God was.

The hosts ask a good question here. Is there really any risk when you put yourself in the hands of a God who has proven faithful? Or is the real risk saying, "I'm not sure, I'd better keep this in my own hands"? Between you and God, only one is completely reliable.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

What does faith look like in everyday life?

Faith looks like action. The centurion said "say the word," and Jesus said go. There is no faith without faithfulness, and there's no believing that doesn't change how you behave.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

Why would anyone ask about your hope? Because they see you hopeful in a situation that looks hopeless. You keep acting as if God is who He says He is. That kind of confidence lets you set down worry and the endless "what ifs."

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

What if God doesn't answer the way you expected?

An unexpected answer does not mean God is unfaithful. You pray in faith, but the outcome is not up to you.

This is where many believers struggle. "I'll believe it when I see it" sounds sensible, but your eyes are one of the easiest things to fool. Trusting only what you can see means trusting one of the least reliable sources there is. You can trust God, His Word, and His track record instead.

For example, Ambre spoke about believing God for her daughter's healing. Some healing won't be seen this side of eternity, she said, but that doesn't change what God has done or who He is.

Many people lose faith because they followed what felt like a formula. They prayed in Jesus' name and truly believed. Then God didn't act the way they expected, when they expected. That doesn't mean He isn't faithful. It means their expectation didn't line up with His all-knowing plan.

The hosts compare it to raising a family with several kids. A parent does what's best for the whole family, even when one child says it doesn't work for them. God sees all His children and all of creation. His will is working for good whether you see it or not.

Common questions

Is faith in God blind faith?

No. Biblical faith rests on God's character, His Word, the person of Christ, and His proven faithfulness. Abraham and David trusted God because of what He had already done, and that confidence let them take steps others would call risky.

Why was Jesus amazed by the centurion's faith?

The centurion, a Gentile, trusted Jesus' authority so fully that he asked Him only to say the word. Jesus said He had not found such great faith in Israel (Matthew 8:10).

What if I prayed in faith and God didn't answer the way I hoped?

The outcome isn't up to us, and an unexpected answer doesn't mean God is unfaithful. It means His plan is bigger than our expectations. Some healing may not be seen until eternity, and God is still good.

What is a step of faith?

A step of faith is an act of obedience to something God has already shown you in His Word or by His direction. You take it, see His faithfulness, and then take the next one, instead of making a huge risk and hoping God blesses it.

Read the blog postA Faith That Gets God's Attention: The Centurion's Faith in Matthew 8Only twice do the Gospels say Jesus was amazed. One of those times, a Roman soldier's faith amazed Him. Cody Adams shows what that kind of faith looks like in Matthew 8.Read the post