“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
What does it mean to have great faith in God’s eyes?
Pastor David Chadwick says that if we want to understand what great faith looks like, it’s important to understand the different kinds of faith mentioned in Scripture.
Saving faith and miracle-working faith
“I think there two different kinds of faith in the Bible. First of all, there is saving faith which is a gift from God. We can’t earn it; it’s given to us by grace.”
What’s the difference between saving faith and miracle-working faith? David explains.
“There is a second kind of faith that’s mentioned in the Bible that I think we can have, and that is miracle-working faith. It’s the kind of faith we need to exercise. People would come to Jesus all the time with physical illnesses, demonic possessions, all kinds of problems and when He delivered them or healed them, He would say, ‘it is your faith that has made you well.’”
This kind of miracle-working faith is the faith that we can choose to exercise.
“I think there is the exercising of that kind of faith in the greatness of God, who He is. The impossible working God who can do all things through Christ who strengthens our hands. When we have the exercising of that kind of great faith, I think God is really pleased.”
David says it’s important to understand this great faith can be exercised by anyone who has been born again by the death of Christ.
“For example with the Syrophonician woman who wanted her daughter healed, she kept persisting and said ‘I will take ever the crumbs from your table.’ Jesus smiled and said, ‘that kind of great faith I love.’ I think this symbolizing for all of us that that kind of faith is available to any of us who believe in Jesus.”
God loves great faith and wants to help us exercise it regularly.
David Chadwick has been the pastor of Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 1980. A popular speaker and the author of , he has MDiv and DMin degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary. David and his wife, Marilynn, have three grown children.
Key Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20
Featured Songs: Mighty Cross – Elevation Worship; Catch the Wind – Bethel Music; Press On – Building 429
Superficial to significant with David Chadwick
