Upgrading skills, knowledge, gadgets, vehicles…etc has emerged as essential task in modern life.  A person could lose his/her job if the skills are not upgraded.  Those who fail to upgrade the knowledge would run the risk of being branded ‘irrelevant’ or ‘incompetent’.  Advertisements scream offering upgradation of all gadgets from computers to mobile phones.  Improved version of vehicles hit the market every day.  In a fast moving world, upgrading is an ongoing progressive progress. 

Upgrade means to raise the standards or quality.  It also means to replace an existing system with a more effective system.  While all of us like to upgrade gadgets or skills to be more effective, we generally neglect the upgradation of our spiritual life. 

The disciples of Lord Jesus Christ wanted to upgrade their faith.  “The apostles said to the Lord, “Give us more faith!”” (Luke 17:5)  This prayer is an excellent prayer that every Christian should seek the gift of faith from our Lord.  They made their request when Lord Jesus taught them to forgive other umpteen numbers of times.  The gospel records that Lord Jesus Christ commended the faith of people on three specific occasions.  And the three incidents provide us clues for us to upgrade our faith. 

A Roman Commander

When Jesus entered Capernaum a Roman commander pleads with Lord Jesus Christ to heal his servant.  The earnest request was accepted by Lord and He promised to go along with him to heal him.  The Roman commander said, that Lord could just say a Word and his servant would be healed.  The logic he said was:  I myself am a man under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  (Matthew 8:9)  The word from a person who has authority is powerful enough to make things happen.  When Jesus heard this statement, he was amazed. He said to those following him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong. (Matt 8:10)

The Roman Commander was able to recognize Lord Jesus Christ as the Sovereign Lord who rules over the whole of cosmos.  A commander in the Roman Army has certain powers and is restricted to a geographical area and time.  The commander knew his scope and extension of authority and also its ineffectiveness beyond certain limits and in certain spheres.  As Christians our faith is based on the fact that Son of God is the sovereign unchanging, undisputed and eternal ruler of the universe.  The Lord who rose again from the dead declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18)  We upgrade our faith when we realize the Resurrected Saviour as Lord of the Universe as well as our personal Lord and Saviour.  Our Lord has authority over sickness, nature, death, demons, Satan and world. 

A Roman commander’s words carried weight and the command was executed immediately.  The eternal Word of God has power to transform, give life, heal, comfort, save and console a person.  “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”  (Matthew 5:18)  Our faith is upgraded daily when we know, meditate and memorize the Word of God. 

A Canaanite woman

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:22-28)

The Canaanite woman teaches us perseverance in faith.  Upgradation of faith could happen only when there is unwavering trust, perseverance in adverse circumstances and steadfast loyalty.  Daniel’s friends were clear on their stand of faith.  “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king,  that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:16-18)  They were sure that God has power and capacity to deliver them, but as sovereign Lord He had the right to choose not to deliver them.  So, their faith was not affected by the end result but rests on the Person who is eternal, almighty and also gracious.

Acknowledging our incapacity to understand most of the things with our finite mind and trusting the Lord for His Wisdom would help us to upgrade our faith.  Hebrews chapter eleven lists the heroes of faith.  The list includes who suffered, mistreated, stoned, and died.  But, they were also heroes of faith for they trusted the wise Lord even though they did not understand Lord’s eternal plans for them. 

A suffering sick woman

A suffering woman for twelve years was in the midst of the crowd that followed Lord Jesus Christ.  She was timid and afraid to come in the presence of the Lord but touched the garment of Lord Jesus with faith.  The touch of faith allowed the power from the Lord to flow in her body to heal her.  Jesus called her and said:  “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) 

The woman who was sick for twelve years wanted to receive the healing power of Lord Jesus Christ.  Though many in the crowd were touching Lord Jesus Christ, it is recorded that only she received healing.  Lord also was aware that power went out of His body to heal that woman.  Many in the crowd touched Lord Jesus but only she touched Him with faith, expectation and anticipation.  Faith is not ‘dormant’ that waits and receives if it happens to come by.  Faith is ‘active’ to eagerly wait for a positive response. 

Touching the Lord in faith, talking with the Lord in faith, relating with the Lord in faith, communicating with the Lord in faith and receiving blessings, promises and assurances in faith has to be daily experience of a Christian. 

Challenge

First, let us pray earnestly that the Lord may increase our faith.  Second, let us acknowledge the authority of our Lord over the cosmos.  Third, let us read, meditate and memorize His Word.  Four, let us learn to persevere in faith in spite of adverse circumstances.  Five, let us approach the Lord in faith with expectation for response from the Lord.