The Power of Faith
Joe Terrell

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Some look at this verse and see a tribute to the power of faith, and by extension, the power of the one who has faith. Yet, this verse actually teaches something entirely different. Its focus is the Son, not faith. Its only word about us is that, apart from God’s giving the Son, we would most certainly perish.

And what of faith? What power is attributed to it? None at all! “But does it not say that Christ died for everyone so that by an individual’s act of faith the blood is made effective for him?” Not at all! What it says is that all men - unbeliever and believer alike - would perish were it not for the Son sent to die as a substitute. In other words, faith does not make the blood effective, THE BLOOD MAKES FAITH EFFECTIVE! Not all the believing in the world would save a single sinner were it not for the blood of the Son of God. The only reason that he who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved is because of the Son’s sacrifice. Had the Son not been given, you and I could have called on God day after day after day and never been saved.

This verse of Scripture is not designed primarily as an enticement to unbelievers to believe. In fact, it says nothing about unbelievers at all. Rather, it is designed as a comfort to believers that their faith is, indeed, worth something, for the Son of God has been sent, and He has finished the work the Father gave Him to do. So believer, rest in the Sent Son. Give no thought to the strength or weakness of your faith. It never had a power in itself to save anyway. The power of faith has always been the Son, and he has come.