“Have faith in God” (Mark xi. 22).
He requires of us a perfect faith, and He tells us that if we believe and
doubt not, we shall have whatsoever we ask. The faintest touch of unbelief
will neutralize our trust.
But how shall we have such perfect faith? Is it possible for human nature?
Nay, but it is possible to the Divine nature, it is possible to the Christ
within us. It is possible for God to give it; and God does give it. But
Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, and He bids us have the
faith of God, and as we have it through the imparting of the Spirit of
Christ, we believe even as He.
We pray in His name, and in His very nature, and we live by the faith of
the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. The love that He
requires of us is not mere human love, nor even the standard of love
required in the Old Testament, but something far higher. The new
commandment is, Love one another, not as yourselves, but as I have loved
you.
How shall such love be made possible? Herein is our love made perfect,
because as He is so are we also in this world. Our love is simply His love
wrought in us, and imparted to us through the Spirit.