J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, it shall be done for you as you have believed" (Matthew 8:13). On what basis was the centurions servant healed, was it the man acknowledging Jesus' authority over sickness and His ability to heal, or did he think of faith as a force whereby Jesus was obligated to heal in response to his request? If the later, who is the sovereign? The centurion by no means presumed Jesus would heal but that He possessed the ability to heal if He chose, "...just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Some today teach that Jesus was obligated to heal in response to the mans request. That position nullifies the sovereignty of God and distorts the object of faith. That God is able to perform that which we request is far different than God being obligated by our asking.Those who hold to the later ultimately place their faith in their faith, not in God, making faith a mighty force and placing God in a subservient position to their desires; they deify man and humanize God. That is not a biblical description of faith, rather it is metaphysics on a par with New Age teaching. Make your requests to God subject to His grace and wisdom, "LORD not my will, but Your will be done." To God alone be the glory.
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