0201. 198. Christ, the Believing One

198. Christ, the Believing One

“He trusted in God” (Mat_27:43).

“I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal_2:20).

Christ is the Author and Finisher of faith—Heb_12:2. His life was a life of constant and unswerving faith in God. We need Christ Himself to live His life of faith, that we may have a faith which corresponds to Him. What kind of faith was Christ’s?

1. Grounded on the Scriptures. “That the Scriptures might be fulfilled” is not only said of Him (Mat_12:17; Luk_24:44), but He was ever careful to fulfil them—Joh_19:24, Joh_19:36. There is no faith in God nor likeness to Christ’s faith that is not founded and grounded on the Word of God.

2. Guarded by Prayer. The attitude of Christ’s faith is demonstrated in His constant act of looking up to His Father—Mar_6:41; Mar_7:34. Faith is defenceless in itself, so it ever appeals to the Lord that He may hedge the heart and life by His protecting Presence—Job_1:10.

3. Graced by Love. Christ’s faith was ever looking to His Father to supply the need of others—Mat_14:19. The “work of faith” is ever wedded to the “labour of love”—1Th_1:8.

4. Guided by the Spirit. Christ was always dependent upon the Spirit’s guidance. He did not move in service till He was empowered by the Spirit—see Luke 4, how this is emphasised, Luk_4:1, Luk_4:14, Luk_4:18. “Faith” for and in service is one of the Spirit’s gifts—1Co_12:9.

5. Growth of Faith. Of Christ in His faith, and personal grace, it is said, “He increased in wisdom and stature” (Luk_2:52). Well for us if it can be said of us because of Him “Your faith groweth exceedingly” (2Th_1:3).

6. Goal of Faith. The object of faith is God Himself. The enemies of Christ taunted Him that His trust in God brought Him no relief. They looked on with the eyes of reason. Christ trusted to reach the goal of purpose. “Have faith in God” (Mar_11:22) is Christ’s direction, and the Spirit’s commendation—1Th_1:8.

7. Glory of Faith. Faith is a God-honouring grace, for it brings everything to God in prayer and truth, and brings God into everything to guide and govern. How fully Christ illustrates, and how evidentially it is illustrated in the lives of those mentioned in Hebrews 11.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH