Faith: Trusting God's Word
When we trust God, we must also trust what He has said. Trusting someone involves trusting that person’s words or that person’s motives. With God we can trust both His words and motives, for He is one that never errs and is always good. We are going to take some time and see what true faith looks like in regards to trust.
Scripture gives an excellent example in the story of the Roman centurion who requested the healing of his servant. The story is found in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The reason why this is a great example is Jesus said so, “When Jesus heard it [the centurion’s request and reasoning], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10.
What made Jesus say this? “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worth that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8. His reasoning for desiring this follows: “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.” Matthew 8:9. Jesus had initially told him that He would come and heal his servant, but the centurion instead presented the request that Jesus speak the word only. He recognized in his own authority that his words had power with his men. In Jesus he recognized One who had authority at least over disease and more since he felt that he was unworthy to have Jesus under his roof. All the centurion wanted was for the command to be uttered.
The phrase “speak the word only” is the essence of great faith. This faith needs no signs, visual effects or anything to assure it that God will perform what He has promised. Great faith recognizes that the promise is sufficient, it recognizes the authority of the word of God. Everyone who has such faith relies only on the word to accomplish what it says because of Him who spoke it.
The first book of the Bible, Genesis, starts off with showing the power of the word of God. Every day of the creation account it tells us that “God said . . . and it was so” with the only exception being the Sabbath. The Psalmist writes “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:6,9. When God promises us help for whatever we need whether it be money, transformation of character, strength to withstand temptation, any need, it will be supplied if we believe His promise. That same word that brought the worlds into existence is before you now for your recreation in Christ Jesus. This word has power to transform watery voids and sin filled hearts.
There is still more to cover in our discussion of faith, but to summarize true faith means trusting God’s word to do just what it says. That word is what created the earth you stand on and everything upon it. It is that same word that James tells us will save the soul (James 1:21). Will you trust that word and be saved? It is up to you.