Those outside the confines of our acknowledged community or commonwealth of faith have astounded even the Lord Himself with the sheer beauty of their belief and trust in the Lord. Whereas within the wall itself, you will find many being like the fig tree having a lush green foliage with practically nothing as touching fruit to show for it.
The leaves of some are dark green and shimmering. They have enviable and persuasive credentials of Christian identity. They are like the Levite and the priest in the parable of our Lord who found the dying traveller on the wayside but turned to look the other way. It was none of their business.
How on earth can anyone claim to serve the Lord without any milk of compassion? Cruelty and faith can definitely not coexist. Wickedness is the worst expression of rebellion against God, the evidence of a spirit that is lost and alien to the Lord.
On the other hand, now and then, you find one without the uniform, a complete foreigner, an outcast manifesting the fruit, such as you would consider exclusive to God’s children.
The Lord was in open-mouthed awe when he saw the great spirit of those who came from outside the wall. Rachab was an Amorite who was condemned with her nation to destruction on God’s own orders. But by acknowledging her sins and those of her nation, she took the Lord’s side in His fierce judgement and brought reprieve to herself and to everyone who would believe as she did by moving into her space and waiting for salvation at the moment of the call, when God brought down the wall of Jericho. Those she loved who would not share her faith would not be saved. This was the Lord reversing Himself, overruling Himself, because He had found faith, in the least likely of places!
Ruth relived the faith of Rachab. A Moabite, one barred from coming into the presence of the Lord by nationality. And yet, curiously, she manifested amazing, astounding faith in the God of Israel. She embraced the faith of her mother in-law whom she embraced as her own, and with whom she embraced a future devoid of promise, submitting completely to God. And like Rachab, she put herself in line to be a grand parent to our Lord and Saviour.
This repeats itself time and again. Faith is nonexistent where you expect it most. Then it erupts in strength and abundance in a barren and forlorn place! The Canaanite woman whose faith was tested by liking her to a dog, The two Centurions: one who considered himself unworthy of the Lord’s personal visit but asked that He speak the word only; the other in Acts chapter 10, in whose home heaven was opened and the baptism of the Holy Ghost came upon the gentiles. Then we have the 10th leper, a Samaritan, who was healed, but returned to give the Lord thanks. He contrasts sharply to his Jewish companions who received the Lord’s goodness but did not look back.
This is the very age of empty sounding. Of so-called faith without conviction. Of calling the name of the Lord in vain. Of testimonies without godly character. Of having a form of godliness but denying His power. Of living in total contrast to His nature, love and grace.