This thing called faith, that we all are seeking after, is another thing we've been deceived in. First of all , it isn't something we have to seek after; we already have it. Faith is already in our spirit for the saved and unsaved alike according to Romans 12:3 which says, "God has dealt to every man, the measure of faith."
So, faith isn't something we need to believe God for, but what we need to learn how to grow it into maturity. In Mark 11:22 (Amplified) we read, "And Jesus, replying, said to them, have faith in God (constantly)." If they didn't have faith, then Jesus would never have told them to have faith in God.
It's not that we weren't given "the measure of faith," but we haven't placed our faith in the right thing. In Luke 17:5-6 (Amplified), the apostles asked for the same thing from Jesus that we're still asking for today. The fulfillment of this request is still the same as it was then. Verse 5 says, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith." Verse 6 continues, "And the Lord said, If you had faith (trust, confidence in God) even (so small) like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obdy you."
In Mark 4 (Amplified), Jesus gave a discourse on the Word of God using the parable of the sower. He declares that the seed is the Word of God and that the soil is the heart (or spirit) of man. Jesus declared that the amount of harvest is dependent on the hearer to produce. In Verses 31-32 of this same parable, Jesus repeated what He said in Luke 17 (Amplified) when His disciples asked Him to increase their faith. In Mark 4: 31 He said that, "The Kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 says, "Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
So, the answer to increasing our faith is it comes by the seed, Word, that you hear. Jesus said that it doesn't take any more than what He's already given. Romans 12:3 tells us that it isn't how much faith you have, but what you do with it. Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah) Himself."
So, every Word of God is a seed of faith and even a small amount sown into a heart of sincerity will produce a large amount of results. When they ask to increase their faith, Jesus simply says to "use what you have and it will produce more." I can take one watermelon seed and plant it, water it, and care for it and it will produce a vine. The vine will produce 4-5 watermelons and each one will have 100-150 seeds which will each produce one more vine. So, the question isn't how much faith we have and how to increase it, but how do we invest our faith.
We shared from Romans 1:17 (Amplified) how the Word or heavenly seed is the source of increase in our faith. More Word; more faith. Each portion of our salvation through Jesus has a different fruit, but all grow in the same soil of the heart. Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith, For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith and this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God" What is the gift of God? the grace or the faith? Both are gifts of God.
Once you've sown the seed of faith for this grace, it brings forth salvation. What of those who never sow this "mustard seed faith" in their hearts? Even though the grace has been granted to save them, the seed of faith into that grace doesn't produce. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says that "both springing from faith and leading to faith." Salvation came by your faith in this gospel of grace, but will lead to more faith about your salvation if we will sow it and take care of it in our hearts.
Now that the seed of faith in God's grace has brought forth salvation, do we want being led into more revelation by faith into what the gift of salvation is? Does it just mean that we're forgiven and are going to heaven? Or, is there more involved in this free gift of grace?
This watermelon seed of faith has now produced a vine. Jesus said in John 15:1-2 (Amplified) that "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser." Verse 2 says, "Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts away (trims off, takes away) And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." Verse 5 says that, "You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you (the teachings I have discussed with you)."
Jesus said that the seed of faith you have heard and sown in your heart will produce fruit to the glory of the Father. He said that this vine and branch will work together by faith to produce more and better fruit. Jesus also said that the "pruning and cleansing" will be done by His Word and and teachings and not by sickness, disease, hard times or God rebuking you. Remember how Romans 10:17 (Amplified) said, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and pruning comes by listenign to the Word and correction thereby."
Still, the Holy Spirit goes on to says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "(Disclosed by the way of faith), the mustard seed is spreading branched that arouses more faith." The seed is the increase of your faith, "has brought forth the mustard plant (or herb) now it has grown from the seed, to the plant. And, by way of faith, it has reached out to others (birds of the air) or people of need and brings forth shade and comfort to others (the fruit is to His glory and praise).
Now, this watermelon seed has not only produced a watermelon vine, but has produced fruit. The watermelon vine my faith has hoped for in Hebrews 11:1 has brought forth fruit that pleasing to the Father like in Hebrews 11:6. Not only has it brought salvation to me by the seed of the Word in my heart, but it has brought salvation to others. By the seeds of faith that came from the fruit (the watermelon). This is the increase of faith that Jesus' disciples asked about inLuke 17:5-6.
We now know how to increase our faith... by continually hearing God's Word. Notice that Romans 10:17 (Amplified) didn't say that faith comes by heard, but by "hearing." This is time spent with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is time listening to revelation about our salvation by God's Word. Just as small seed of faith sown into a good soil (or a hearing heart), will continue to grow and produce not just enough for ourselves, bu enough for many others as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment