João 11

João 11

Boice points out (BORROW - The Gospel of John 9:1-12:50) that Jesus did not ask her, “Do you feel better now, Martha? Have you found these thoughts comforting? Do you feel your old optimism returning?” Then Boice observes, “According to Jesus it was not how she felt that was important, but what she believed.” Jesus wanted this grieving woman to come to a higher level of faith in who He is. He knew that faith in Him is a major component for us in dealing with our grief and with other major trials. I’m calling this “overcoming faith,” because it enables us to overcome grief and loss. After the apostle Paul mentioned tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword (Rom. 8:35), he added (8:37), “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Implicit in that overwhelming victory is overcoming faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God wants us to face life’s overwhelming trials with overcoming faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are seven qualities of overcoming faith here that will help us work through life’s overwhelming trials and losses so that we grieve, but not as unbelievers who have no hope: (CLICK HERE for explanation of each of the following points) 1. Overcoming faith takes overwhelming trials to the Lord. 2. Overcoming faith trusts that God is in control of all our circumstances. 3. Overcoming faith does not limit God. 4. Overcoming faith trusts in the promises of God regarding eternity. 5. Overcoming faith personally applies God’s truth in the present. 6. Overcoming faith centers in the person of Jesus Christ. 7. Overcoming faith believes what it knows and grows from there.