The Faith That Comes Through The Father

From: April 24 – 30, 2012

TOPIC: "The Faith That Comes Through The Father” Acts 3:1-19

Last night I was told about a church that closed and was named "Faith is Victory". A few days ago this church was selling the musical instruments used at the altar. It is sad, this happened because the pastor from that church decided to leave what he had to seek another wife which was not his, other children, another house, another town and at the end, another god. Now, the faith is not a victory for him there, because the faith in God no longer exists in him. When faith ceases to exist and the person no longer believes, then there is no expectation for miracles or for the wonders that God works in us. When there is no faith, one lives at the edge and fall of a ravine (or gorge), sunken in a deep hole. Let us look after our faith that is through the Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart and strength. In those times of the apostles miracles occurred in the streets and everywhere. Peter and John were headed to the temple in the afternoon at 3:00 to pray. They prayed every day because Jesus was their life and motivation. In those times, in the beginning of Christianity, the link between the new believers and Judaism had not been broken. It was the beginning of the formation of the Church. The transition of separating from Judaism to adjust to the ways of Christ did not occur abruptly or rapidly. They were not able to see things as clear as we can now in these times that we have the full revelation of the New Testament. As John and Peter walked to pray, some men were carrying a man who was born crippled, as a favor, to the temple to ask for charity. So Peter and John ran into this man with needs in the place where he customarily begged. He was happy to ask for charity; he had lost all hope to walk and live a better life. That was, until men of faith came along. The apostle Peter looked straight into his eyes; he did so because God wanted to perform a miracle in him. When you live by the Spirit, as Peter and John did, you will know when God wants to perform a miracle through you in the street, at work, at school, in your neighborhood, etc. You will set your eyes on those whom God wants to bless, not foolishly, not drifting, but rather God has prepared for us the people that He will bless through our faith. Peter said: "Look at us!” He wanted the mendicant’s full attention. God had more than charity for him, it was a complete healing. For all who witnessed this, the miracle was greater, but what Peter wanted more than anything was for them to acknowledge Jesus. A Jesus who died and now resurrected who left the legacy to all who believed in Him, by the faith that is in Him. This faith obtained by all who believe has been for the well-being of that disabled person and for the many people who have also received his miracles. We see that Peter speaks of: THE FAITH THAT IS BY HIM! When we need Him, He is there. It is not the crippled man who was healed that should call our attention but JESUS, FROM WHOM WE RECIEVED THE FAITH! The important thing is to acknowledge the faith. It is to live in that faith for everything in our lives. How much desperation! Why, if He came so that we can succeed in our lives? All this attention towards the crippled man needed to be withdrawn because the applauses, the testimony and everything else would be given to him and not to the Lord, who has the power and the greatness and who performed the miracle. Therefore, Peter had to lead all those who witnessed the healing of the disabled man to the true author of the miracle: to Jesus, whom they had rejected. So it happens; we fill our eyes with what is in front of us without seeing the great author and giver of the faith, just as it happened with that nation. Then, because of the hardness of the hearts the Lord is rejected, denied and taken to death. May those who see and hear these things that God does, not be hard-hearted or blind.

Jesus is glorified in Heaven. Through the faith in His name we receive the miracle requested from God. Now there was a miracle because there was a great name: Jesus of Nazareth! Peter reproached the Jewish people because they did not receive Jesus as the Messiah. In these times, many also do not receive Him. They delivered Jesus to the Gentiles, to the impious to mock Him, to throw stones, mistreat and discredit Him. This happens when we leave the Lord for not giving Him the first place which He deserves. The Jews denied Him before Pilate. But, how many times do you deny Him before your friends, family and everyone else, then you cry and you regret it? They denied the Holy and just and requested the release of Barabbas, a murderer. And now I ask, How many times do we betray the Lord and defend the murderer, leaving free the wicked and taking Jesus to the cross again accusing Him? What is it? Is the sanctity He requests too difficult? They killed the Author, the Prince of life, The One who did everything to give them salvation and from whom we can obtain the faith. Let us accept His miracles, doctrines and commandments as well. Our faith is in HIS NAME. The one who gave health to that man was the same who they had crucified. His name has power to do miracles. God uses those who have faith in the name of Christ. Faith exists in our lives because it is given to us by Him so that we can move mountains, heal, deliver, open doors and close them. You have received the faith through Him. Since there was ignorance among the people, Peter had to speak of the good that there were in the faith so that they could begin to enjoy all the good that faith brings in the midst of so much difficulties. Peter saw how Jesus would be exalted for the healing of that man in such a way that the faith in Him would be multiplied throughout the world and would also arrive in our lives today. The faith that comes through Him, that is our faith; Christ has all the power: nothing defeated Him, not for being turned in or denied, or because they asked for a murderer in return, none of this stopped Him. He did, He does, and will always do for you! Amen.