Unfathomable Grace

Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

On one side, there is faith. On the other side, there is doubt. In the middle, between the two poles, swinging back and forth like a pendilum, is the believer of Jesus Christ. Sure, oft times we believe. However, never do we believe sufficiently as we ought. Sadly, despite him proving himself over and over, we too often find ourselves to be distrusting worshipers like:

• Abraham, who left for the Promised Land, but soon took of for Egypt in the day of famine.
• Sarah, who believed in the promise of a son, but soon gave Hagar to her husband.
• Israel, who marched out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, but soon doubted they would have sufficient food or drink.
• Jesus’ disciples, who marched boldly into Jerusalem, but soon ran for cover at the arrest of their leader.

Oh friends, despite what God has done for us, how often do we find ourselves distrusting or disbelieving? How often do we find ourselves being faithless? Sadly, this is our consistent practice. We keep disbelieving his love, his good, wise, and beneficient law, his Gospel substitution, his unwavering affection, and his providential control over every aspect of our lives. We are worshipers who have faith, but we are worshipers light of faith.

But, how grand is the Gospel? Aren’t we grateful that when we are faithless, he is faithful. (2 Tim. 2:13) None of God’s blessings are dependent upon our adequate faith. All his benefits are mere gracious gifts. Christ is so kind, despite our foolish disbelief.

And, how great is it to realize that God gives the gift of child-like faith, then he gives the gift of adult-like faith. Faithfulness is something we can request, and increased faithfulness is something we can expect. According to sacred scripture, faithfulness is a gifted part of his spiritual fruiting. (Gal. 5:22) All believers have the Spirit, and all believers experience his fruiting.

Therefore, the words of the old hymn makes great sense to us, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus; just to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise; just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him; how I’ve proved him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus; O for grace to trust him more.”

We don’t have to believe more to get his love and grace, and because he loves and grace us, we will trust and believe more. And some day, we will believe perfectly.