The smallest faith (mustard seed) still works by love; so just do it!
Faith in theory and faith in practice
The Christian life begins with faith, continues in faith, and culminates in faith as we meet Our Maker. Faith is a particularly important principle in the Bible. Faith is where the promises and plans of God are brought into reality in the lives of His people. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
A. Ephesians 2:8-9, We are saved by faith.
B. Rom. 1:17, We live by faith.
C. Rom. 4:13, We receive righteousness by faith.
D. Rom. 5:1, We are justified in Christ by faith
E. Rom. 5:2, We have access to God's grace by faith.
F. 2 Cor. 1:24, We stand firm in our belief by faith.
G. Gal. 3:14, We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
H. 1 Tim. 1:4, We do God's work by faith.
I. Gal. 5:5, We wait for the return of Christ by faith.
Indeed, faith is vital to the life of every believer. Amen
Definition: Faith at an operational level is a simply a belief or trust in God and that if you feel he is calling you to do something then just do it.
The classic biblical definition of faith is found in
Hebrews 11 (whole chapter on faith) :
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible…
Some years ago I had an interesting conversation with a friend who told me about a new book written by Annette Capps called 'quantum faith’ the book is available free on the internet as a .pdf file.
The author had been doing a course in quantum physics and soon began to realise that the laws of quantum physics (which baffle many conventional physicists because subatomic particles e.g. quarks) do not obey the normal Newtonian laws of physics (such as the law of gravity).
In the field of quantum physics it is thought that sub-atomic particles are surprisingly influenced by the person observing them or interacting in some way with them.
We know from Hebrews 11 above that God created the whole Cosmos by speaking it into existence.
This is a difficult concept for most of us to grasp.
How can someone’s words have a creative power?
Conventional physics cannot explain how this might work but however when we come into the realm of quantum physics then is a whole different ballgame.
If sub-atomic particles can truly be influenced by those observing, then how much more would God’s word when spoken to them be likely to produce effects within and between them?
Of course God Himself would have created those sub-atomic particles in the first place.
How did Jesus walk on the water when conventional physics says He should have sunk under the water? So some other law was at play here, the law of faith. Jesus walked on the Word of God.
The law of faith can transcend the law of gravity.
Faith to bless and faith to curse
Mark 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
When was the last time you prayed something into or out of existence?
What fruitless tree in your life needs cursed in faith?
What mountain in your life needs removed and cast into the sea? We need to act on our beliefs in faith.
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
The normal physical laws of the universe can be overcome by the power of faith. If you think about it each act of faith has some sort of mechanism whereby the physical world is acted upon by the spiritual world.
Interestingly when Jesus told the disciples they only needed a mustard seed of faith, he was using the best-known example of something small in those days. Today he might say faith, as the size of a quark (sub-atomic particle)! [1]
Anyway whether we understand how faith works at a deep level there is nothing to stop us putting it into practice in everyday life.
If God has told you to do something, simply be obedient to it.
If you are not sure and take wise counsel from Christians, you trust.
When was the last time you believed, you were going to receive something from God?
Matthew 9:20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and if we reach out and touch Him in faith today, He is willing and able to let power flow from Him to you.
Many people were pressing around Jesus and unintentionally touching Him, but we need to intentionally touch the hem of His garment believing that virtue or power will flow into our situation.
Faith without works is dead and so we must make our faith in God work to bring in His Kingdom and to bring God’s love down onto the streets of our cities, towns, and villages.
Our God-given faith is a mighty weapon to honour God with.
Faith has power to bless, to curse and to move mountains.
Let us honour our Abba Father by using our faith in His name and for His kingdom and glory.
Amen
Personal Prayer
[1] Quantum Faith by Annette Capps