Faith Brings Life

II Kings 4

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1)

Here was a family which recognized the worth of a man of God. They wanted to have him in their house. The coming of the man of God had created faith in them. The faith that was in Abraham came into the Shunamite's husband. Elisha, the mouthpiece of God had once said that she would have a son. When a boy was born, there was joy in that house. Faith created such joy. When the child died, faith could recreate that joy. Though we are dead in trespasses, by faith we can become alive.

Elisha came. Where did he come from? From the mount of Carmel. With whom was he there? What was he doing? He was having fellowship with God. He was full of life. Not the natural life but the life of God. When he heard of death, he bestirred himself. 'Death? death? I will go. My God will come with me', he said. God's children are like that.

God from His throne in Heaven looked upon us. He found us dead. Perhaps you are on the bed of Elisha. You have the desire to be in a place of worship. Many are awakened sinners. That is still not Christianity. Has Elisha come? Has Christ come? But you are satisfied with your condition. You confess a few sins. You are a dead man but you say that you surrender yourself to God. God does not want a dead man's surrender. Have you got life? Christ came into the world. He submitted to lying in the grave. He rose again. He brings death as well as resurrection into you. He brings about the death of the Cross and then the resurrection. He has a message for all parts of the body. The warmth of His love warms you. But that is not enough. He has the power to give you the resurrection power. You are saved by faith. What is faith? It is an active power. It is a belief which produces action.