The Right Combination

A daughter of a friend was working on a chemistry project.
They called to borrow some white vinegar.
Since I clean with white vinegar, they know that I always have it on hand.
They needed a full gallon.

When she came down to get the vinegar, she explained what she was doing.

We have to make a car out of a water bottle.
Ingenious…but how?
We have to mix baking soda and white vinegar inside the bottle, shake it up, loosen the cap just a bit, and let it go. It is supposed to go twenty-five feet.

I am sure that some sort of wheels had to be added.
The right combination of baking soda and white vinegar will propel the water bottle.
Fascinating.

If you combine vinegar and baking soda, water and carbon dioxide gas is generated.
When you combine these two substances in a closed container, pressure builds-up.
Release the pressure on one side, the container moves rapidly in the opposite direction.

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
(Hebrews 4:2)

Hearing the message of the gospel…and faith.
The two go hand in hand.

Sometimes, the message is heard, but there is no faith.
The listener moves rapidly in the other direction…away from the Gospel.

Did you ever think about that?
Why do some people sit in church and remain unchanged by the message?
Why do others, who hear the same message, respond with conviction?

Faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is a gift of God.
It is not something you can muster up on your own.

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
…When Jesus heard this, He was astonished and said to those following Him, ” I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
…Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.”
And his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matthew 8:5-8,10,13)

Jesus was astonished at the centurion’s faith.
The centurion was a powerful man.
He was used to giving orders and having his soldiers follow them.

This powerful man knew there was One who had more power than he did.
This powerful man knew authority when he saw it.
Jesus had that authority.

The centurion said he didn’t deserve to have Jesus come under his roof.
That was the key.

I don’t deserve!

The centurion was right.
He didn’t deserve it.
Neither do we!

Grace is unmerited favor.
Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve.

Our health, our family are gifts from His hand.
The faith to believe the Gospel…another gift.
The gift of our salvation…priceless.

Faith and the message of the Gospel…in that combination.
Propelling us, not in the opposite direction, but towards God.
When we have the faith to believe.

For it is by grace  you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)