Resurrected to Faith

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1: 19, 20)

We hear people say, in regard to certain epiphanies - "that made me a believer." Where there had been doubt and unbelief, about a matter, there is now, after the ephiphany, complete faith. Such people were simply powerfully convinced of truth.

Sometimes circumstances and events occur that enlighten people to suddenly see the truth and thus causes them to be turned from unbelief to belief.

Every true believer in Jesus can honestly say, "I was made a believer." Something happened, in other words, that simply convinced the person of a profound truth and which removed all their doubt and unbelief.

It is not any ordinary unbelief and doubt that is removed, but such that only the power of Almighty God can remove. The same power that was used to raise up Christ from physical death is the same power needed and used to raise the sinner from his spiritual death, from his unbelief.

The strength of unbelief is often underestimated. It is not understood how only omnipotence can make a believer, can take one from doubt to faith. Every believer confesses that he was made a believer by the power of God working in his heart.

The power of sin and unbelief bind the heart and conscience of sinners and they are therefore helpless and wholly dependent upon omnipotence to deliver them. They can no more change their own hearts from unbelief to belief than they can raise the dead.

"No man can come to me (believe on me), except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6: 44)

"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come (believe) unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." (verses 64, 65)

"But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you." (John 10: 26)

These verses reinforce what has been said about the state of unbelief in which sinners are firmly held. They also affirm how the sinner is wholly shut up to the mercy and power of God to change the unbelieving state of his heart and mind. The Lord must make believers.

Believers do not convince themselves, but are convinced passively, being empowered, by God, to believe. No man can believe in Jesus unless the Lord operate on his unbelieving heart with great power, unless he draw the sinner to faith, unless it be "given" to the person to believe.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 11-13)

In this verse, to "receive" Christ is the same as to "believe" on him. It also connects receiving and believing with being "born of God." There again the efficient cause of faith is stated too - the gifted power of God.

Thus, it is not owing to the will of the unbeliever, to his choice made independently of God. A sinner's going from unbelief to belief is not the result of his own active working and education, but is owing solely to God's power to make him a believer. God has no problem making believers, contrary to what many think. The apostle John wholly ascribes this coming to faith to the sovereign and effectual working of omnipotence.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5: 4)

John says, in this verse, that a believer's faith is that which is "born" of God. Yes, he, the sinner, is himself "begotten," spiritually "born again," but his faith is also begotten. His faith is God's creation, God's gift, God's production. He therefore deserves all the credit and all the praise and glory.

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." (Philippians 1: 29)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2: 8,9)

Both these verses simply affirm further how the believer's faith is that which God has created and given.

Sinner, if you do not believe, then you will be condemned. But, you cannot make yourself believe. Only God can make you see the truth, can make you a believer. If you would be made a believer, you must ask him to do this work. Will you do so today before it is too late?