Faith Beyond the Limits
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As a person lives in the world, everyone will face difficulties many times that go beyond the limits of human beings. Our saints are no exception. However, God has given the saints a wonderful secret that no one else has known, and that is faith. God is telling us to overcome by faith and live by faith.
So what is faith? Several definitions are possible depending on the point of view, but I would like to define belief as transcending limits. Faith is what makes the impossible possible and the impossible possible. That's why Mark 9:23 Jesus said, "If it is possible, what do you mean? Nothing is impossible for those who believe." Therefore, despairing and discouragement when faced with difficult situations is not the attitude our members should take. Because we have an Almighty God who loves us and helps us.
In today's text, there is a story of a man who was in extreme despair overcoming all impossible limits and winning. This man is paralyzed, but through the faith of himself and his friends, he met our Savior Jesus, was healed, and became the hero of the miracle, getting up and going out with a bed. As such, God wants us to become the protagonists of this miracle.
So, what is the limit of true faith?
1. It is a faith that transcends the limits of thought.
Verse 1 says, “After a few days, Jesus went into Capernaum again, and there were rumors that he was at home.” This verse is very plain. But take a closer look. It's usually not mediocre, but rather important stuff. In these plain words, the paralytic's belief that if I meet Jesus I will also be healed is implied. What kind of disease is paralysis? It is a disease that originated in the brain, and it is difficult now, but it must have been more difficult at the time. However, this man thought that if he met the Lord, he would be able to heal this disease as well.
This is true faith that transcends the limits of thought. No matter how much we believe in God, if our thinking does not change, that person cannot yet say that he believes. Because the man is clothed in the robe of faith, but his heart is still full of Gentiles.
And in order to grow in faith, we must break stereotypes. All miracles in the Bible break these human stereotypes. To believe in God that we understand with our heads, we do science. Why do we believe in God? God gave science, but He is more than that, so He is Almighty God. No matter how much truth has been verified throughout my life, if it is contrary to the truth of God, it is not the true truth. So it is learning and studying. If I am obsessed with my thoughts, I am still a frog in a well. It's not going to be anything. You won't be able to do anything. However, the paralyzed man heard the news of Jesus and was able to overcome his limitations because he broke the frame of thought that he thought could not be healed.
2. It is a belief that transcends the limits of ability.
The paralyzed man heard the news of Jesus and changed his mind to think that he could live only if he came to Jesus. But there was a problem. Even if they wanted to go to Jesus, there was a limit to their ability to go alone. He was unable to stand up and walk alone. How boring is this? But the paralytic was not discouraged. Because he had four friends who were trustworthy, healthy, and strong.
Is it possible that you have changed your mind, but you do not have the ability? But please do not be disappointed. It is because we have the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, and there are helping hands that God has hidden. Ebenezer, it is saying that the Lord has helped you up to this point. So everything has a way. If you think a little, you will see the way.
If you watch TV, there is a way to live even for people with physical disabilities. They live by moving their toes, their fingers, or their mouths. Likewise, God wants to help with more than that. It is not faith to be discouraged that I can't. What is the secret that makes us prosper? Believing that “God is with me” is the secret. Please always stand by this belief.
All methods are prepared by God. Therefore, nothing is impossible. There is no incurable disease. If you need money, God will give you one way or another. If you need skills, God will make it happen. If you ever need someone, they will meet you somehow. So David had Jonathan, Paul had people like Luke and Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquila, Moses had people like Aaron and Hur, Elijah knew he was fighting alone, but God had seven thousand who would not bow the knee to Baal You made me win. Therefore, I want you to believe that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, not that I cannot
3. Faith that transcends the limits of methods.
The paralytic has changed his mind and has a comrade of faith to work with. But there were still barriers. It is a human obstacle. In verse 2, we see that there were so many people that we could not even use the dragon god. Those people are narcissists who gathered after hearing the news of Jesus. They gathered together to heal each other and stood firm. As a patient who arrives late in front of this sight, will you have any strength? Moreover, Jesus was teaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, not treating the sick.
But look at the paralytic and your friend. I did not despair or give up. Verse 4 says that they went up on the roof and tore off the roof and made a hole in the manna for the bed. At that time, houses in Palestine were flattened by covering with thickets or reeds, or by beaten mud. Moreover, since it is someone else's house, the dust will fall, and it's sermon time, is it possible? However, the lesson here is that you have pushed the limits of the method. The lesson is that faith doesn't matter which way.
According to the Bible, David did not need a sword to defeat Goliath. It becomes a sling stone. Or, Israel did not have to have a ship to cross the Red Sea. One cane was enough. Or, it was not necessary to have a cannon to destroy the walls of Jericho. Or, a patient who was in the 38-year-old Bethesda Pond doesn't have to go into the pool to get well. Jesus did not necessarily make wine from grapes. It is also made with water. There are many ways. Don't despair if you can't do it in your own way. We need to get out of the thinking that insists on our own method as soon as possible.
What happened when the paralytic broke the limits of my thoughts, abilities, and methods? Seeing their faith, Jesus healed them in Mark 2:11, saying, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Hallelujah! You solved the problem. In verse 5, the Lord saved not only his sickness but also his soul, and in verse 12, he gave God great glory.
David Schwartz, a professor at Georgia State University, said the difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that “successful people are not judged by height or weight, education or family background, but by the size of their thoughts.” So, please change your mind this time. I can do God even if I can't.
Christianity is a miracle religion. St. Augustine said, “Without a miracle, I would not have been a Christian.” Christianity is a religion that believes in God based on miracles and professes faith to receive God's salvation and grace and lead to heaven.
According to a survey of Americans conducted by the Princeton Society of Poll Research, 84% of Americans believe in miracles. What situation are you in now? But do not be discouraged because there is an Almighty God. Just as the rumors about Jesus changed the paralytic so much, I hope you will be full of the word. So, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will overcome the limits of our thoughts, abilities, and methods with the word of God and have the belief that God will help me.