A True Faith
And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come
out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he
was at the point of death.
John 4:46,47
What do we learn about ourselves, Christ, salvation, and faith from text of Scripture?
1. We can see ourselves both in the nobleman and his son
No matter what our position in life, none of us is exempt from suffering and trouble.
These are all the consequences of our state as sinners before God, and a constant reminder to us, when God is pleased
to bring affliction on us. This was a man of distinction and means in the world, yet these things were
of no avail. Christ only can deliver.
2. We learn from this how God brings sinners to his son
God will often bring His chosen ones into difficult straits, in order to strip them of
any self confidence, or confidence in the flesh, in order to bring them to Christ. These providential chastisements
do not produce faith. Yet, God uses them to get the attention of His elect.
Notice the importance of the order in v. 47-“When he heard that Jesus was come...he went
unto him, and besought him...”. This is the same order when God is pleased to draw any sinner
savingly to Christ in
faith. He will cause him to “hear” of the Lord Jesus- John 10:3, 27; Romans 10:14. . He will come to
Christ- John 4:29,40; John 6:37.
Conversely, unbelief is not coming to Christ, whether
willfully or ignorantly- John 5:40.
He will seek Christ. This is not a mere intellectual seeking, with no intention of believing on him,
as the Pharisees did. Sensing his need, he sought Christ out- Matthew 11:28. None truly sense their
need but what God’s Spirit has made them see it first- John 6:44. This is the greatest evidence of the Spirit’s
working in the heart- appetite, need, desire for none but the Lord Jesus Christ. John 4:40.
KEN WIMER
FAITH’S WORK
“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy
of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work
of faith with power" 2Th 1:11 ·