I’ve been pondering on the definition of faith and how it ought to unravel in one’s Christianity for some time now. Truth be told, faith is a timeless topic, and we are often inclined to believe we understand faith when what we hoped for comes to pass. But then, there are those instances when we second guess our notion of faith because our expectations remain barren. Today I aim to shed light on some often-overlooked dynamics of faith so we can truly grasp the reality of pleasing God.
The Jewish word for faith is “Emunah” and it comes from the Hebrew verb aman which means “to stand firm or to securely trust or rely upon”. The book of Matthew gives us a very holistic view of faith in action as God shows us the inherent variances enshrined in faith ranging from little to great.
Faith is intrinsically tied to God’s Word because faith is always preceded by a warning, command, prophecy, or circumstance. Faith is reactive, meaning we don’t just sit around professing faith without any expectation or intentional hope. Faith is an element unique to humankind and it is a seed we activate to springboard God into action in our lives. This seed of faith must be sown however for it to come into effect.
What activates faith in us? – A Warning, Command, Prophecy or Circumstance prompts faith. When a violent storm erupted with the disciples on the boat, they found themselves in a circumstance that required faith. When Joseph acted in faith and left for the region of Galilee with Mary and Jesus, it was because he was forewarned in a dream. When God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, his faith was activated by that command. When God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, their hope and expectation became ignited by God’s prophecy.
Where do we plant this seed of faith? – The seed of faith is not sown in ourselves, our abilities, or our accomplishments. Instead, it finds its place in the fertile ground of the Word of God. By deliberately planting and nurturing this seed in alignment with His Word, we can bear witness to its growth, manifesting both in the tangible and spiritual dimensions intricately woven into our lives.
When the leper went up to Jesus in Matthew Chapter 8 and bowed down before Him, he said “Lord, if You are willing, You are able to make me clean.” The leper hoped to be made clean and professed his faith in support of his expectation. This leper did not have to ask for healing, he could have written himself off as helpless and undeserving. Instead, he sowed an intentional seed of faith in Jesus believing that He had the power and authority to heal him, and he displayed his faith by making his request for healing known.
FAITH DYNAMICS
- Faith is an active response – a verb, it is what we do in response to what God has said whether through Scriptures, dreams, earthly or heavenly messengers or in direct conversation with us. We cannot, however, know what God has said or is saying if there is no relationship with Him. This is the first point to note. As Christians, we do not use the word “faith” loosely, we ought to understand that faith is a God related element and a spiritual prerequisite for pleasing Him. We don’t identify faith exclusive to identifying God’s written or spoken word to us. Whatever your circumstance is, find a scripture to attach to your faith. Don’t apply your faith emptyhanded or void of God’s input.
2. Another element or dynamic of faith is encapsulated in knowing God. If we profess to know and be in relationship with an Almighty, All Sovereign, All-Knowing and All-Powerful God then we acknowledge that God is resting in our boat throughout every storm. God is right there with us in our circumstance or predicament. His Holy Spirit resides in us and goes with us wherever we go. Why then are we anxious or overcome with doubt and fear? Is it because we are ignorant of the promises declared for the children of God?
Matthew 6:30 (AMP)
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”
Reflect on the magnitude of the God you profess to serve lest you forget that He is in absolute control. We must believe that God is who He says He is and be humble enough to trust that He will show up at the right time and in a way that is better than we could have imagined. If you are not in relationship and in right standing with God, your faith will be compromised. You must get to know the God you have faith in. Faith is God’s principle so we cannot have faith in faith and not faith in God.
3. The progression of faith from little to great requires time and deliberate effort. When Jesus admonished the disciples with the words “Oh ye of little faith,” it was a call for them to adopt a growth mindset. This meant recognizing that their faith should not merely take root and sprout but should also ascend to greater heights. Understanding that faith is a multi-level and multifaceted element was crucial for their spiritual development.
Anytime we allow doubt to infect our faith, our faith becomes compromised, and its growth becomes stunted. Analogous to tending physical trees and plants, we must actively cultivate our faith and fortify it by putting on the whole armour of God to withstand the parasites of spiritual attacks. Our trials, tests and circumstances serve as pruning tools, refining not only our character but also fostering the growth of our faith. Ultimately, to finish our race strong we must grow and guide our faith to reach maturity.
In certain situations, having little faith is adequate, comparable to the culinary role of sprouts and microgreens that don’t require high levels of plant maturity. However, navigating the rollercoaster of life necessitates having the presence of substantial faith in one’s spiritual arsenal.
Let’s look at a passage of Scripture in Matthew 17:14-21 (AMP):
When they approached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, kneeling before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic (moonstruck) and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him.” And Jesus answered, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed at once.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”
Little faith is when our hope and absolute reliance on God, His authority and His Word does not measure up to the highest standard of doubtlessness (absolute confidence). Little faith suggests that doubt lingers and one’s reliance and trust in God is half-hearted and hesitant. If one’s little faith is tested, he/she will always come up short.
When God referred to the mustard seed, the emphasis was not primarily on its size, as conventionally perceived. In mainstream Christianity, we’re often taught that having faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient. However, God’s message goes beyond mere size; it’s about planting or sowing our mustard seed of faith on the Word of God, allowing it to grow exponentially. The disciples, unable to heal the afflicted lunatic, showcased that their faith required further growth and development, achievable through prayer and fasting.
It’s crucial to note that the mustard seed is not the smallest seed on earth. The disciples’ display of little faith couldn’t move the mountain of their healing circumstance. Therefore, it’s evident that God wasn’t advising us to have faith the size of a mustard seed but rather urging us to have faith like a mustard seed, embracing its characteristics.
The mustard seed plant, with its distinctive characteristics, provides profound insights:
1. Small Beginnings, Expansive Growth: Commencing as a diminutive seed, the mustard plant possesses remarkable potential for expansive growth, rapidly spreading far and wide.
2. Independence Amidst Surroundings: Unaffected by the presence of other plants, the mustard seed plant maintains its individuality, demonstrating resilience in the midst of its surroundings.
3. Unyielding Authenticity: Resisting hybridization, the mustard seed plant retains its pure and original nature. It stands as a symbol of unwavering authenticity.
4. Tenacity in Adverse Conditions: Thriving in unfavourable conditions, the mustard seed plant exemplifies tenacity, displaying resilience and strength even in challenging environments.
These characteristics not only offer botanical insights but also serve as metaphors for the qualities that our faith should embody – growth, resilience, authenticity, and tenacity.
The cultivation of great faith is not a sudden occurrence; it necessitates a gradual build-up through foundational practices of Bible study, fasting, prayer, and a lifestyle marked by repentance. These principles contribute substance to our faith, ensuring it is not empty or devoid. With this substantial faith, we are confident that when we apply it, there will be tangible evidence of what we hope for, even if it remains unseen. Much like planting a seed, the eventual blossoming of the tree within is not immediately evident but unfolds over time.
As children of God, our divine calling is to nurture our faith from its initial seed form to maturity. To fortify our faith, it is imperative to be acquainted with God’s declarations, promises, and cautions. Daily companionship with God is essential, surrendering our faith to His sovereign will, acknowledging that He determines the timing and manner of our harvest. Granting God unrestricted access to our lives allows Him to move freely, shaping and directing our faith according to His divine plan.
Great faith is not blundered by doubt, as seen in the example of the centurion in the Gospel of Matthew. In Chapter 8, this Roman officer approached Jesus, seeking healing for his paralyzed servant. Remarkably confident, the centurion believed that a simple spoken word from Jesus could result in his servant’s recovery. Despite Jesus offering to go physically to the servant, the centurion demonstrated a deep understanding that the spoken word of Jesus held the power to activate healing.
In this account, the maturity of the centurion’s faith outshone that of the disciples. Jesus, recognizing the profound depth of his faith, commented that such remarkable faith had not been observed in all of Israel. The centurion’s unwavering conviction in Jesus’ ability to deliver and save was unmistakable.
Taking inspiration from the Centurion’s example, as Christians, our goal isn’t merely to offer God a modest amount of faith and anticipate significant returns. Instead, our aim is to plant a small seed of faith, diligently nourishing and nurturing it so that it matures. This growth enables God to work more profoundly within us and through us as His representatives on earth. Faith serves as our armour, empowering us to conquer kingdoms, dismantle principalities, uphold justice, secure promised blessings, navigate perilous situations and transform our weaknesses into strengths.
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