If left to our own strength and our own faith, we would never make it. The believer knows that his faith and obedience are always deficient, and he will frequently ask God to enable him to live the life that pleases God. An unbeliever has no interest in having more faith or being made willing to obey.
When we are unwilling to obey, we can ask to be made willing.
When we are wavering in our resolve to follow, we can ask for more resolve. When we doubt, we can ask for more faith. It is His work in our lives that enables us to believe and obey.Īs always, we can ask for what we need. We acknowledge that even our faith comes from God. We don’t seem to have enough faith to follow Him in that moment, so we ask for more faith. In the same way, Christians know what the Bible says, and we do trust God to take care of and direct our lives, but sometimes we are faced with something that seems to overpower our faith. It is impossible for “righteous” people to be saved (see Luke 18:9–14). Salvation comes to inadequate sinners who realize their need and ask for forgiveness. It is the acknowledgement of our inadequacy that allows God to work in our lives. Most Christians can identify with this man from time to time. If my faith is not enough, please help me to have enough.” The CEV puts it like this: “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.” Jesus is pleased with this response and heals the boy. In essence, he says, “My faith is far from perfect. So he says, “I do believe help me overcome my unbelief!” (verse 24). He wants to express faith but at the same time be genuine. It appears that the only thing preventing the man’s son from being healed is his faith, and he realizes that he has already betrayed a lack of faith. (On at least two previous occasions, Jesus had linked healing to faith in Him-Mark 5:34 and 36). In essence, He responds by saying, “What do you mean, IF I can?” He goes on to assure the man that anything is possible if he has faith.
Jesus picks up on this doubt, repeating the man’s conditional statement (verse 23). He asks Jesus to do something for the boy “if you can” (Mark 9:22). Jesus’ initial response to hearing of the boy’s condition expresses His disappointment in a lack of faith: “You unbelieving generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” The boy’s father initially seems to display a lack of faith as well. The dominant theme in this passage is faith and doubt. Jesus told them, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29). Later, Jesus’ disciples inquired why they were unable to cast the demon out. Upon hearing the man’s request, “I believe help my unbelief!” Jesus immediately spoke to the unclean spirit and permanently cast it out of the boy. “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe help me overcome my unbelief!’” (verse 24). Jesus assured the man that “everything is possible for one who believes” (verse 23). After the boy’s father further explained his son’s condition, he said to Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (verse 22). He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth” (Mark 9:20). The boy was brought to Jesus, but “when the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me” (Mark 9:19). Jesus asked what was going on, and a man from the crowd explained that the disciples had been trying to cast a demon out of his son but had failed in their attempt. An argument was taking place, and people were stirred up. Jesus had just returned from the mount of transfiguration when He came upon a large crowd surrounding His disciples.
#Take time out forjesus full
The full context of the man’s prayer, “I believe help my unbelief!” helps make his meaning clearer.
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