Replies

February 24, 2014

When we have a major problem or a lingering illness, we sometimes ask God why. Despite our being faithful followers of Christ, we cannot seem to find a solution. Jesus tells us the same thing that he told the disciples: “Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else.” Jesus said it so simply that we may be tempted to think that it is such an easy thing to do. In fact, we do pray every night. But perhaps given the problem in the Gospel – a boy possessed by an evil spirit since childhood– what Jesus meant is a real, honest-to-goodness intimacy with God. This is the kind of prayer that is not just said every night but rather lived every day! The disciples have not reached that level of oneness with God that they do not have the power to drive out the evil spirit. In the same way, while our relationship with God remains shallow, we will not be able to drive out the spirits that hinder us from having peace and joy.

So, let us continue to strive to reach the level of prayer where we no longer just talk to God but rather listen, speak, and act WITH God.

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 2

<< Monday, February 24, 2014 >>

James 3:13-18
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Psalm 19:8-10, 15

Mark 9:14-29
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TRIPLE FAITH

"I do believe! Help my lack of faith!" —Mark 9:24, our translation

The father of a demon-possessed son told Jesus that His disciples were not able to free his son. Jesus "replied by saying to the crowd, 'What an unbelieving lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you? Bring him to Me' " (Mk 9:19). Jesus indicated that the lack of faith of the crowd and His disciples prevented the boy from being freed. In other words, our faith, or lack of it, sometimes makes a big difference for other people. Look at how Jesus healed the paralytic after He saw the faith of the stretcher-bearers of the paralyzed man (Mk 2:5).

Jesus remarked not only about the lack of faith among His disciples and the assembled crowd. He also challenged the father of the demon-possessed boy to exercise his faith. Jesus said: "All things are possible to one who believes" (Mk 9:23, our transl). The father accepted Jesus' challenge and cried out: "I do believe! Help my lack of faith!" (Mk 9:24, our transl.) Thus, the faith of parents often makes a critical difference for their children.

Finally, we are all expected not only to depend on others' faith but to have faith ourselves. Jesus repeatedly says in the Gospels: "Your faith has saved you" (e.g. Mk 5:34). We are saved by grace through faith (see Eph 2:8). Unlike the faith that accepts God's healing, the faith accepting salvation can never be someone's else faith, but only our own faith.

In summary, we are responsible to have faith for ourselves, and often responsible to have faith for our families (especially our children) and faith for others. Be men and women of faith.

Prayer: Father, give me faith to move mountains (Mt 17:20), drive out demons, and conquer kingdoms (Heb 11:33).

Promise: "If one of you is wise and understanding, let him show this in practice through a humility filled with good sense." —Jas 3:13

Praise: When Mary went to a Bible study, her heart began to burn with a love of God's Word.