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A blended good and evil characterizes the present state of man. Ever since our first parents ate of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" their children have been eating of it. The hovel is found under the very shadow of the palace. What a scene of glory was that of the Transfiguration! What a scene of misery is this at the foot of the mountain! "And when they were come to the multitude," etc. Learn -

I. THAT THE POWER OF FAITH IS UNLIMITED.

1. For Omnipotence is pledged to it.

(1) Witness the miracle of faith on the waters of the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:13, 14). The distance across the arm of the Red Sea at Pihahiroth is about twelve miles; while the average depth of the water there is about eighty-four feet. The weight of the vast ocean sets into it. Yet was that world of waters controlled by the faith of Moses.

(2) So, had the disciples of Jesus "faith as a grain of mustard seed," they might have routed the devil from this boy. And the case of the demoniac may be taken as a sample of the moral condition of man under the tyranny of Satan.

(3) No limit is set to the premise here given to faith (cf. Matthew 21:21; Luke 17:5). Things great or small are equally easy to the Promiser. Properly speaking, to God nothing is miraculous. A rustic, witnessing the experiments of an electrician, may conclude that he is a magician. To the scientist these experiments have no more of miracle in them than the rustic may see in the furrow he cuts with his plough. "Things impossible with men are possible with God."

2. But Omnipotence is not pledged to caprice.

(1) In the heathen mythology there is one Phaethon, the son of Apollo, who was ambitious to guide the chariot of the sun, and importuned his father to entrust him with the reins. He soon found his arm too treble to restrain the fiery steeds; and the sun was rushing down upon the earth. Jupiter, seeing the danger, launched a thunderbolt at Phaethon and dislodged him from his seat, upon which the chariot came back into abler hands, and the world was saved from conflagration. If, then, Omnipotence be pledged to faith, may not ambition and folly destroy the world?

(2) The answer is that faith is the gift of God (see Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Philippians 1:29; Colossians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:1). God will not inspire faith in the interests of folly.

(3) Hence quality rather than quantity is the thing required. "Faith as a grain of mustard seed." The idea of a grain of mustard seed dislodging a mountain! Abstractedly, faith is impotent; it becomes omnipotent as it is associated with God. A small band slipped over a wheel sets a factory in motion, because it links the machinery with the steam engine. Faith may link the machinery of the universe to the great power of God.

(4) True faith is distinct from mere credence. Some are Christians from the accident of birth, as others are Mohammedans, Papists, or pagans. Some are Christians from conviction, having studied and approved the evidences. But saving faith is a thing of the heart - an inspiration from God; it works by love, and purifies the heart and life.

II. THAT MORAL CONSIDERATIONS DETERMINE THE SUBJECTS OF THE GIFT OF FAITH.

1. Divine seriousness is a condition of the faith of miracle working.

(1) This our Lord declared (see Mark 9:38, 39). And Paul says, "No man can say Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3).

(2) Simon the magician was mistaken in thinking that the gift of God could be purchased with money (Acts 8:20). The sons of Sceva found to their cost that they must not trifle with the name of Jesus (see Acts 19:13-16).

(3) The miracle working faith was given to authenticate the gospel. That end is now answered. Yet may it be given again at any time when God sees sufficient reason.

2. Repentance is the condition of saving faith.

(1) Christ came to save his people from their sins. So the promise is, "In the day that ye seek me ye shall find me, when ye search for me with your whole heart."

(2) Then seize the candle of the Lord, and search your heart to see what has hindered your salvation. Have you made restitution in that you have robbed? Have you made reparation in that you have injured (see Matthew 5:23, 24)?

(3) The faith that saves is a higher gift than the faith of miracle working. "Rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Rejoice not so much that you have the miracle working faith as that you have the faith that saves, "If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). Miracle working faith is as nothing compared with that which is saving.

3. Godliness is essential to the faith of usefulness.

(1) The goodness of Barnabas is significantly associated with his "faith" and usefulness (see Acts 11:24). This also may be noted in respect to persons eminently useful in the Church in following ages.

(2) But what are we to say to the usefulness of those who are far from goodness? Not that they are useful in consequence of their faith; for they have none. The truth God may bless, whoever uses it. No credit in this case is due to the ungodly; nor will they receive any reward.

(3) For the faith of usefulness we must pray. "This kind goeth not out but by prayer." Because without prayer we cannot have that goodness which renders us eligible for the gift of faith.

(4) Fasting also is helpful to faith. Our Lord gave us his example in this (see Matthew 4:2). He also gives us directions as to the spirit in which we should fast (see Matthew 6:16). Apostles associated fasting with their special prayer (see Acts 13:2, 3). - J.A.M.

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KJV: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

WEB: When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,