"The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." - Luke 17:5-6
Faith. Have you ever known someone that you decided had a great faith? Meaning greater than yours. A faith that you aspired to but never really believed you could achieve it. Faith is something that you have or don't have. Faith in the providence of God is powerful. It is not like you have less or more than someone. The issue is whether or not you are willing to act on it.
Faith is a close relative to trust. I am sure you have heard someone say, "I don't trust him any farther than I could throw him." It is like the old song, "love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage." Faith and trust are much the same. In Luke 17 Jesus was essentially saying you don't any more faith than what you have. It's like the man to told Jesus that he believed but need help with his unbelief.
Trust is surrender - placing yourself at the mercy of the person you are trusting. I have told my children that trust is an easy thing to lose but a hard thing to gain. It requires a demonstration of reliability - dependability.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
"Faith is the profound and steadfast conviction in something beyond the tangible realm. It entails placing full trust and belief in the omnipresence and potency of God.
Trust is our willful and unwavering commitment to God. When individuals place their trust in God, they are essentially acknowledging and affirming their belief in his constant reliability, truthfulness, and omnipotence. Trust is a deep belief and reliance on God’s character, wisdom, and promises. It acts as a steadfast foundation, particularly when faced with trials that test one’s faith to its core." - (Biblezero.com)
Faith is "Do you believe?" Trust is "Show me!"
When Peter left the boat and walked on the water to join Jesus - he was exercising faith and trust. His focus was on Jesus. When his focus shifted to himself and to the laws and nature, he began to sink. The Bible is not explicit in describing what happened next - but Peter and Jesus walked back to the boat - on the water - together.
Proverbs 3 says to trust in God and not yourself. Faith and Trust are a spiritual context not a natural one.
God gives us the faith we need for His purposes and our good. Romans 12:3 The question is not how much faith has God given me, but am I walking in that which has been given. We cannot live the Christian life in victory apart from faith - and trust - and obedience to the Truth.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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