If Saved By Faith...What is Faith?

First from the Old:

It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.          Romans 4:13

Then from the New:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Ephesisans 2:8

picture from Google Images

Commentary:

I have been reading a book by Ann Graham Lotz titled The Magnificent Obsession.  It is an outstanding presentation of the life of Abraham, his faith to heed God's calling, his amazing sense of discipline, and his fears. Mrs. Lotz's offers a plethora of personal experiences as the daughter of evangelist Billy Graham.

One particular illustration on Faith. A young Indian couple approached her after a message and asked politely "Ma'am, if we are saved by faith then what is faith?"   The story involved high wire walker performing before a large and attentive crowd. They were spellbound at his first walk across the Niagara Falls. The walker spoke to the crowd asking if they believed he could walk over to the other side pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with sand.  The crowd yelled yes and were loudly vociferous in their excitement.  The courageous performer then announced he would cross the wire with a wheelbarrow full of sand.  As he proceeded the crowd was completely silent and breathless with anticipation.  On return from the other side the walker was again regaled with applause.  Next he asked the crowd if they thought he could walk the wire with a person in the wheelchair.  The crowd responded yes as the weight of the sand was consistent with a medium size person.  Hearing the positive response the air performer asked for a volunteer.  In silence he waited patiently for a response, but no one responded.  Finally, an older gentleman said "I believe you can do it so I'll go over and back with you."  Now the crowd was even more ill at ease as both men proceeded on the wire.  Over and back and the crowd went wild.  The acrobat acknowledged the applause, saluted the man, and thanked him for really believing in him.

Mrs. Lotz drove home the point of the story in her discussion of Faith.  Everyone in the  crowd at Niagara Falls said they believed, but only the one man demonstrated his genuine faith.  He trusted completely and was willing to step out in faith.  Abraham received the promise from God but he had to step out in faith and trust everything completely to God.

So then how did Abraham muster up the faith to follow God's call?  As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesisan Church even our faith is a gift from God.  Any gift from God is sufficient to the tasks he puts in our path.  The process of following His leading helps us grow our faith even stronger.  In doing so, we open ourselves to greater things to be done for the glory of God.

Lord...

Grant us the courage to walk in faith

even when we are walking alone.

Help us to call on Your promise to never leave

or forsake us and remember the comforter

left on Your departure, the Holy Spirit.

Fill our mind with the knowledge of Your Son, 

and touch our hearts 

that we are ever mindful of the possibilities

of all things through the power of Jesus Christ.

Amen