Visible Faith

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:3-5).

How visible is our faith? Do we have the mentality of the woman who worked her way through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment? Do we have to grit to uncover past hurts and pains and allow the great physician to heal us? Visible faith cleaves to the Word of Life. Visible faith takes on the yoke of the Messiah and learns of Him. Visible faith chooses truth over tradition and love over religion. Visible faith chooses to align with the Word of God and fulfill the law by loving the Creator and our neighbor.

In Mark 2, the paralytic was carried by four men. This speaks volumes in regards to the company we keep. We have to associate with those whose faith is strong when we may be unable to move. Who in your circle will remove barriers in order to bring you to the feet of the Savior?

A visible faith is recognizable to those around us. Hebrews 11 lists men and women of faith, also known as men and women of action. Let us be those whose faith was counted as righteousness because we were more than mere hearers. We chose to be doers as well. Father, we believe. Help our unbelief and increase our faith that our love for you may be visible and grounded in truth. Amen.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith with your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works, faith was make perfect? James 2:18-22

Shalom,

Kelly Vonner, Restoring the Branches Ministry