Extreme faith moves us from our comfort zone into the adrenalin-pumping, risky unknown. The prospect of failure is very real, but the potential for success overrides the fear of failure.
“When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.” Mark 2.1-4
Four faithful friends brought a helpless man to Jesus, whom they unwaveringly believed could restore him to wholeness. But the path to restoration was blocked by a thick crowd of people. Both daring and resourceful, these four men created a path to Jesus where one did not exist. Chopping a hole through someone else’s roof, they lowered their lame friend right into the presence of Jesus. Receiving more than bravely hoped for, this man was forgiven of sin as well as physically healed.
What do we believe so strongly that we are willing to bravely risk? Do we believe enough in the restorative power of God through Jesus that we risk sharing the gospel? Do we believe enough to faithfully pray for the miracle of spiritual and physical healing? Do we believe enough to chop holes through proverbial roofs to bring people into the presence of Jesus?
You’ve likely heard it said, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” In the realm of faith, this is especially true. If we do not risk acting in extreme faith, we will never know what God through Christ can and will do. Noah knew, as did Abraham, Moses, and countless other men and women of faith. It was their extreme faith in action that set them apart from those who sat idly by.
Extreme faith is risky, but the rewards for those who “believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11.6) far outweigh the risk.
May extreme faith move us to the daring venture of acting upon that which we resolutely believe.
©Steve Taylor, 2019 --Used by permission
This is from Steve's book: "Hope for Uncertain Times"
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