The Faith of Jesus

            In this expensive housing market, first-time homebuyers rarely find the property of their dreams. My daughter and her husband have been praying for a while for just the right place, and after years of following her missionary parents around, my daughter saw God answer some big prayers that could only be attributed to Him. She had faith that if it were God’s timing and plan, He would provide the home they could really call their own. Considering the high costs of the state they live in, God really did provide the desire of their hearts within their budget. My daughter’s faith became sight.

            But when they signed the paperwork to make the property their own, the previous owner did not include a clause allowing my daughter and her husband to only live in the kitchen, while his family occupied the remainder of the house. There was no sign on the acreage, leaving them with only a portion of what they paid for while someone else controlled the remainder. Once the couple signed the contract and paid their closing costs, the entire property became theirs to do with as they pleased.

            This is just a silly illustration of what Jesus’s faith accomplishes in those who believe that Jesus loves them and gave Himself for them. Galatians 2:20 is my life verse. It steadies me when I doubt my own faith. It anchors me when the storms make me question God’s love. It convicts me when my old life tries to hold on to its control.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

            In context, the apostle Paul was writing to a confused congregation about how the Old Testament Law fit into salvation. In fact, like my illustration, the Law no longer had any rights to its former home. Jesus had taken full ownership of His people when He paid for them with His own blood. Jesus believed that if He paid for the sins of all mankind, every person who received His gift would be fully redeemed. The Law no longer had any control or say over anything to do with salvation. Jesus holds all ownership rights. His faith is made sight every time someone places their faith in Him and invites His Spirit into their life.

            But do God’s people allow Him full ownership rights? Are there not rooms Jesus is not allowed in because He might not like what is stored in them? Are there not areas He might want to clean out and take full control of that are held back from Him? Like the Galatians, many believers are still allowing someone or something else to live in what Jesus fully purchased for Himself.  By acknowledging Jesus’s ownership of what He has bought with a price, His faith sets in motion a life of victory that is no longer shackled to the old owner.

            Is there any part of your life that you might be holding back from Jesus? Is there a portion you are still trying to control without His help? His faith has already accomplished everything you need for victory in your life, but it will require you to relinquish your own ideas of how things should be. How could the One who loves you and gave Himself for you want anything for you but His best? The old life was crucified with Jesus, and He victoriously lives in you now. It is time to give Him full ownership and allow His faith to be made sight.