You of little Faith?Jesus used that statement five(5) times in book of Matthew. Once He talked about worry(matt 6:30), once when He calmed the storm (matt 8:26), once when Peter joined him walking on water and he tooks His eyes of Jesus and begin to sink(matt 14:31), once when He was dealing with the disciples in teaching them to beware of the teachings of the pharisees and sadducees(matt 16:8), and once when the disciples couldn't drive out a demon and He told them they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed and they could move a mountain (matt 17:20).
Whether it was worry, fear, focus, education, or doubt Jesus expects those of us who follow Him or claim to be His to have FAITH. Big faith, not little faith. Faith is belief in action. We can't say we truly have faith in God if we are constantly worrying about every little thing or afraid of what will happen if we take a risk or make a decision. We can't say we have faith, if we are easily influenced by the world, false teaching, or religion based on traditions, or if we doubt the power of God to do whatever He wants through us. We can't say we have faith, if we doubt that God can do what He wants to do, anytime He wants to do it, and anyway He wants to do it.
Do you see? Faith is not just a word to say I'm a christian or go to church? People ask what faith are you? We say Christian, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, etc...Faith is not a religion or denomination. Faith is built on our belief and relationship in God.
The biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1(NIV)
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
FAITH means being SURE, having HOPE, being CERTAIN, even though we do not see God right in front of us physical.
This sure, hopeful, certain faith should motivate us to overcome fears, doubts, anxieties, worries, and act upon our belief in our relationship with God. It should help us keep our focus and attention on God. To read and study His Holy Word so we are educated and not easily led astray or influenced by bad teaching, leagalism, sin, tradition, or false hope. It should give us confidence that we have the power of God(His Spirit) living and working in us, that we can do anything God wants us to do, and that we trust wholly and completely in God that we can do anything God wants us to do, yes even moving a mountain with the faith small as a mustard seed.
Yet, many Christians live like they have no faith. They live in constant worry or fear. They are afraid to fail so they do not try. They worry about the future, so they do not trust in God's outcome. They don't have faith in prayer to God or in learning His word, so they are constantly confused by things we read or religous talk. We don't tap into the power of the Holy Spirit in us and we neglect it and thus we don't use our talents, gifts, or abilities for God. In reality we limit God.
Churches are no different. Churches never plan what they can't pay for or do in their own power. Churches won't step out in faith and hire additional staff, or build a better facility, or deal with difficult people who are holding their church back. The church(it's leaders, shepherds, pastors, and preachers, even members) need to start practicing what they preach, or as the old saying goes "put your money where your mouth is", in translation, we need to not just talk, we need to walk the walk. We need to be people who are christians, who are church members, and church leaders to have BIG faith, not little faith, or no faith.
1 comment:
Jesus also said to love one another. making accusation about people and posting pictures of something to be facetious hardly does that friend.
you should read up on John Paul II and how he refused, even after he was shot to even have the windows up on his vehicle, and how he went to his shooter and forgave him after. Do police think themselves less confident by wearing bullet proof suits? is taking medicine when you're sick having little faith in God?
just some food for thought :)
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