Testimony of Faith

January 9

“What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” — John 6:28–29

Scripture reading: Psalm 4

I was healed of appendicitis, because of faith based on the knowledge of the experience of faith. When I have ministered to others, God has met and answered according to His will. We know that God will not fail us when we believe and trust in His power. The centurion had this faith when he said to Jesus, “Speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). Jesus answered him, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.‟ And his servant was healed that same hour” (v. 13).

In one place where I was staying, a young man came in telling us that his sweetheart was dying; there was no hope. I said, “Only believe.” This was faith based on knowledge. I knew that what God had done for me He could do for her. We went to the house. Her sufferings were terrible to witness. I said, “In the name of Jesus, come out of her.” She cried, “Mother, Mother, I am well.” Then I said that the only way to make us believe it was for her to get up and dress. Soon she came down dressed. The doctor came in and examined her carefully. He said, “This is of God; this is the finger of God.” It was faith based on knowledge.

If I were to receive a check for a thousand pounds and knew only imperfectly the character of the man who sent it, I would be careful of him. I would not rely on the money until the check was honored. Jesus, on the other hand, did great works because of His knowledge of His Father. He knew He could count on the character of God. Faith begets knowledge, fellowship, and communion. If you see imperfect faith, full of doubt, a wavering condition, it always comes because of imperfect knowledge.

Thought for today: God is more eager to answer than we are to ask.

信仰见证

1月9日

“我们当行什么才能做 神的工呢？”耶稣回答说：“信神所差来的那一位，这就是神的工。” — 约翰福音 6:28-29

经文阅读：诗篇 4

我因信仰而得了阑尾炎的治愈，这种信仰是建立在信仰经验的知识基础上的。当我为他人服事时，上帝按祂的旨意与他们相遇并应允我们。我们知道，当我们相信并信靠祂的能力时，上帝不会让我们失望。当百夫长对耶稣说：“只要你一句话，我的仆人就必痊愈”（马太福音 8:8）时，他就有这样的信心。耶稣回答他说：“照你所信的，给你成就吧。”其仆人就在那时痊愈了（v.13）。

在我住的一个地方，有一个年轻人进来说他的恋人快要死了；没有希望。我说：“只要相信。” 这是基于知识的信心。我知道上帝为我所做的，他也能为她做。我们去了她的家。她的痛苦让人难以忍受。我说：“奉耶稣的名，从她身上出来。”她喊道：“妈妈，妈妈，我好了。”然后我说，要让我们相信唯一的方式是她起身穿衣服。很快她穿好衣服下来了。医生进来仔细检查。他说：“这是上帝的作为，这是上帝的手指。”这就是基于知识的信心。

如果我收到一张一千英镑的支票，而对寄支票的人只是有所了解，我会对他保持谨慎。在支票兑现之前，我不会依赖这笔钱。另一方面，耶稣因为认识祂的父而行了伟大的作为。祂知道可以依靠神的品格。信心孕育知识、团契和交通。如果你看到不完全的信心，充满怀疑、摇摆不定，这总是因为知识不完全。

今日思考：上帝比我们更渴望回应我们的祈求。