Let's look at Matthew 8:25-26 NIV: The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (also reference: Matthew 6:30 and 14:31) Throughout the bible, Jesus encourages us to have FAITH, to believe!
**Now, let's read the mustard seed verses, IN CONTEXT. (Side note: We have to remember to read scripture IN-CONTEXT. When scripture is picked and pulled out of context, the truth and real understanding is lost.)
I have to make a pit-stop here, for just a moment! You see, this is one of satan's tactics. If he can somehow confuse or misconstrue the word of God, if he can get us to believe the wrong things (lies), then he can separate us from the promises, protection, and purpose God makes available to us in His word. Matthew: 4:1-4 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And WHEN HE HAD FASTED forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” ... Sis, there is so much truth and wisdom in these verses, for us to see. Pay attention to HOW satan tried to tempt Jesus. Because satan knows just how much power is in God's word, how anointed the TRUTH is, he tries to pollute it. He tries to taint the word of God. He knows that if he can somehow get you to doubt the word of God or if he can get you not to believe the Word of God, that is where his opening is to defeating you. You see, satan is the father of lies! In John 8:44, Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told: 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD of the Spirit, which IS THE WORD OF GOD: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Important point: Notice how Jesus overcomes the temptations of Satan - - He USES THE WORD OF GOD: "But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” ... In order to overcome the challenges we face, we MUST be armed with the Word of God. In order to be armed with the word of God, we must spend time in His word... we must study it AND commit it to memory. Wow! Matthew 4:1-11.... is BLESSING me today!!!!!!
Okay. Back to the mustard seed. Again... when we study God's word, it is SO very important that we read verses IN-CONTEXT. If all you are given is this, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you," I can ALMOST see how you may have come to believe that Jesus was referring to the size of the mustard see... Almost! ;-) But let's look at that verse, in-context: Matthew 17:18-20 NKJ "And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." So, in-context, the disciples were asking Jesus why they themselves had been unable to cast this particular demon out. What is actually the FIRST thing Jesus says? ... No, really... go back and read it again. He answers, "Because of your UNBELIEF." If Jesus was encouraging small/little faith, WHY would He begin with "Because of your UNBELIEF." The bible says have faith "AS" a grain of mustard seed. NOT THE SAME "SIZE" as. When Jesus says "as" a grain, He is referring to the characteristics of the mustard seed - not the size!!! A mustard seed is amazing. For starters: There are MANY plants and vegetables, that when planted near another plant or vegetable, will take on the characteristics of the other plant or vegetable. For instance, if you plant a jalapeno near a tomato, you will get a spicy tomato. NOT the MUSTARD SEED - you see, no matter where you plant a mustard seed, it will grow!! Praise God! A mustard seed will grow almost anywhere, even in harsh conditions, and what's more - it will NOT take on the characteristics of its surroundings!!! Do you see the correlation?! That is what Jesus wants us to be like. He should be able to plant us ANYWHERE and we should thrive on His word! No matter our surroundings, we should not conform. Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." 
But wait, there's more!! Let's talk about the size for a moment... it is one of the smallest of all seeds, yet once watered (fed), it grows into a large herb or tree!!! Helloooo!!! And they grow EXTREMELY fast! They almost seem eager to grow, sprouting leaves in a very short time. They hit the soil, ready to grow!! That is how WE should be. It is true, our faith may start small... but let's not waste any time!!! Our faith is to grow exponentially!! Not remain small and or become stagnant!! Mark 4:30-32, 30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” God wants us to experience deeper levels of commitment and faith. He wants our faith to GROW, so much so that others can perch in the shade (peace) of OUR faith!! Imagine your faith, large enough for others to find rest in. Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by FAITH." We are to LIVE BY FAITH. And last but not least, the mustard plant also grows with a purpose—to produce other seeds. While the plants are producing healthy and delicious food, they are also involved in seed production for the future. Are you being BLESSED???? Even as we are growing, we should be producing seeds and planting seeds in others!!! As our faith grows, as we learn and evolve, we should be planting life-seeds in others.
God is so awesome and amazing... and I am so grateful for this powerful revelation. Never again will we say, "Oh if you have faith AS SMALL as a mustard seed!!!" No. No. Just the opposite - Have faith that grows as a mustard seed, have faith that does not falter depending on it's surroundings or environment, AS A MUSTARD SEED, have faith, that produces life and plants seeds in others, AS A MUSTARD SEED!!!!
Be blessed!...And BE a blessing!!
Great post. BUT.... What is Faith? What does it really mean to have faith? Is it just keeping a positive mental outlook? Is there any action associated with "having faith"?
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome question!! Faith is such an integral part of my life. All that I am and all that I do is tied into and a direct result of, my faith. I feel as though I could talk/write all day and still not explain how much my faith means to me and the effect it has had on my life and the woman I am today. I will do my BEST to answer it (in a short and succinct manner) and I pray my response sheds come clarity on the questions you shared. Feel free to continue the dialogue. I have been blessed by the reflection and contemplation of faith, that your questions prompted within me. Thank you.
DeleteQ. What does it mean to have faith? Is it just keeping a positive mental outlook?
A. To me and for me: Faith is placing (completely and wholeheartedly) my trust, confidence, and belief in God. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, and that through His selfless act and my faith (belief) in Him, I am saved.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
I think faith HELPS us to keep a positive mental outlook on life, but, to me it is much more than that. My faith is the core of who I am. It is by and through my faith, that I live my life. So to answer the second part of your question, "yes", there is action associated with "having faith".
To take it a step further not only is action "associated" with having faith, but it is a requirement and a direct result of having faith.
It is a requirement, in that, the bible tells us, in James 2:14-26
Faith and Deeds
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
This is telling us that "action" is an integral part of faith. Simply professing to believe something is not faith. Faith requires your actions to line up with what you are professing to believe.
In my life, my actions are a direct result of my faith. The closer and deeper my relationship with Christ becomes (through prayer, reading His word [my bible], attending church, serving in ministry/outreach, etc) the more my faith grows, and as my faith grows and my understanding deepens, my actions reflect that. I believe God's word AND I apply it to my life.
*continued in next comment* (exceeding maximum characters! Lol)
*continued from previous comment* (so much for "short and succinct! lol)
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not believe it is possible to separate your Faith (belief) from your Actions. The two should be intertwined. Not only that, but keeping with the Mustard Seed Faith theme of the post, it is through our actions that others will be blessed. There's a simple saying, "Actions speak louder than words". Faith is possibly the single-most important element of the Christian life. It is through our faith that we are saved, it is through our faith (in His word) that we are able to seek and develop a relationship with Him, it is through our faith that we worship, pray, fellowship, serve others, love, trust, believe, and the list goes on. Faith is intertwined in even the simplest of actions... and in many cases, faith is required TO act. There are some actions/decisions in life, that do not come easy. Were it not for my faith, I would not be able or desire to do certain things.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:43-52
God calls us to do some pretty challenging things (if it were only left to us, on our own), but through our FAITH in Him, we can ACT accordingly. We can love, not only in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
I pray that I have answered your questions, as you posed them. Feel free to continue the dialogue. Thanks for visiting. Be blessed!... And BE a blessing!
I must admit, I intended to provoke more dialogue with my questions. I didnt expect that it would require blogspot to bring more servers online to store your response. I felt like your post was incomplete without that addition.
ReplyDeleteDeciding to walk in faith will have a profound effect on your life. If you believe in God’s promises, trusting in the power of the cross, you will make different decisions than if you have no faith at all. Every step of the way, your decision to walk in faith will take you in a different direction than if you follow the leadings of the secular culture.
Now THAT was succinct! *smile* Everyone has their gifts! You hit the nail, right on the head (in less than FIVE sentences!).
DeleteHahaha! @ the "servers" talk... that sounds like I.T talk, to me - not MY specialty.
Thanks for being a reader, thanks for your post & contribution to this article. I was blessed and I pray others will be, as well!
WOW! I am truly moved by the post because I was taught you must have a mustard seed faith. I have never looked at it liked this. Wow this blog has just enlighten me! Thank you so very much! I enjoy Sisters Evolve
ReplyDelete