There is one passage in the Bible that perfectly portrays the three kinds of faith. It is well known – having entire books written to explore it. We will go a little deeper, using only Scripture – and not needing a whole book to understand the deep things of God!
In John 11, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. It begins when Lazarus fell ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the grave for four days. Then He arrived and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.
1. Martha’s faith was limited.
John 11:21
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
The death of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ (not that He is not all-powerful – but in that He only worked miracles where they would be received and He would be believed on)
Matthew 13:58
And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure
2. Martha’s faith was fundamental. In John 11:23, Jesus said – “Thy brother shall rise again.” These words were spoken to kindle hope in Martha, but she still prevaricated.
John 11:24-27
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [Here she declares her fundamental faith in a Great Truth, but that is not enough!]
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [Jesus is saying that He has all power over life and death]
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [She evades His question and states her creed. Stating one’s creed to the living, all-powerful Christ is shallow indeed – faith must go beyond creeds.]
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
It wasn’t only Martha’s faith that was limited – it was many of the Jew’s who were doubting and decrying Him for delaying His arrival.
3. At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she agreed to have the stone moved from Lazarus’ grave. Martha first objected in unbelief.
John 11:39
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Then Jesus challenges her to believe.
John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Martha demonstrated her new-found, unlimited faith, by allowing the stone to be moved, and then she waited in faith – and was rewarded!
John 11:43
And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Seeing is NOT believing.
You must believe first, and then you will see.
Faith comes before sight. Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God – because it reveals His glory!
As you can see – a 300 page book is not required! You only need The Book!
The Vine Vigil 