Alternate Plans
Bible Order: Num 25–26
Chronological Order: Lev 19–20

 

Faith + Action

Mark 2

I need to begin today’s post with a correction.  In my February 20^th post I got my disciples and apostles mixed up.  I made a statement that was not correct.  I am thankful for the comment Larry gave helping me to spot my error.  In that post I asserted that Barnabas was the disciple that the eleven apostles elected to join their number to replace Judas.  That disciple was actually Matthais.  I’m not sure how I got that incorrect thought in my head, but I again thank Larry for setting me straight.  I have since corrected the post so the error has been erased – at least on the blog.

Brothers, here is, as our president likes to say, a teachable moment.  Don’t assume that everything I write in the blog is correct.  I’m am just one guy with an opinion.  I encourage all of you to read everything I write with a critical eye and never hesitate to call my attention to an error.  I know it is hard to believe but I am human and every leap-year make a mistake!  (Okay more like every hour.)

Today I want to focus on the story in our reading of the four men who lowered their paralytic friend through a roof so they could get him to Jesus in the hope of seeing him healed.  We usually focus on the faith of the men who lowered him and on the healing power of Jesus.  Jesus uses this opportunity to demonstrate that He has the power to forgive sin, which is perhaps the biggest lesson in this story.  I see something else in this story.  Yes the four men who lowered the paralytic had faith that Jesus could heal him, but their faith without action would have been meaningless.

Today there are many who have faith that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  There are many who believe He is the Son of God, our Savior.   Unfortunately, there are far too few who put their faith into action.  Would the paralytic have been healed if these four men had not put their faith in action and brought him to Jesus?  No, it was only faith paired with action that brought this man to healing.

Think of the billions of people today who are living crippled lives because no one has brought them to Jesus.  Think of your unsaved family members, neighbors, and coworkers.  Do you believe Jesus has the power to save them?  What, if anything, are you willing to do to bring them to salvation?  Would you be willing to lift them onto a house, tear a hole in the roof, and lower them down to Jesus Christ?  No?  Is that too extreme?  What about this, would you be willing to show the love of Christ by telling them about Him?

We say we are Christians but where is His love shining in and through us, that compels us to do as those four men did so long ago?  Do we not believe these lost people are worth saving?  Do we not believe they will suffer an eternity in agony unless someone brings them to Jesus?  Maybe you think that is someone else’s job.  You’re wrong.  It is your job.  Jesus gave you that job the minute you surrendered your life to His authority.  He is not asking you to lift people onto houses, and cut holes in the roof.  He is asking you to live your life like you belong to Him.  He is asking you to shine His light in a dark and dying world.  He is asking you to be constantly on the lookout for the opportunity to bring some to Him who needs His healing touch.  His is asking you to take action on every opportunity you have to share the Gospel.  You don’t have to be a preacher but you do need to take action to bring the lost within your area of influence to the feet of the Savior.  Invite your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to church and Sunday School; it’s the least you can do.

Have a blessed day!

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!