Scripture:

John 4:

³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers.

⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Observation:

The Samaritan woman has expressed faith in Christ and is now telling everyone she knows!  Many believed.  They heard it from her…but more importantly they heard it for themselves. 

Application:

Unfortunately many people have a “borrowed faith”.  They got it from someone else.  Their pastor.  Their parents.  Their friend.

Each of us must eventually “own” our faith.  It has to belong to us.  The Samaritans heard it from the woman Jesus had talked to…but eventually they “heard it for themselves” and believed.  They owned it.  Their faith became their own.

What about you?  Is your faith borrowed?  Or have you…on your own…chosen to follow Christ?

Prayer:

God show us how to pass our on faith…in such a way that others will own it for themselves.  Help us to point them to you.  My prayer is that many will give back the faith they have borrowed and acquire their own.  In Jesus name, Amen.