Look at the (multiple) times Jesus responded to His own disciples about their faith…Luke 8:25 ” And He said to them, “Where is your faith [your confidence in Me]?” (That particular time was when they all were in the boat and a storm came up. Add to all this question:
” And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf? I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?” [Luke 18:7-8]
Do you remember the scripture telling us that we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 11-12)? Have you ever thought about what they are doing? Just standing there? Why? What’s the and their reason? Do they poke the one next to them and say ‘… that’s going to be a disaster if they continue’, or ‘why would anyone make such a choice’, or ‘can you believe that’??? Of course they aren’t criticizing – so why are they there and what are they doing!!! If you read those chapters you see that they had placed their faith in God. But God, in His mercy, was waiting for US! So were they complaining to Him instead? No.
The question in all this is faith. Where is our faith? I grant you that perhaps we aren’t the strongest faith filled people, but how much do we need to remember the countless times the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have acted on our behalf before we rely on the world or other secular/carnal things? So why are we such wimps (most of us, much of the time) when it comes to our faith? It isn’t that we don’t have evidences of the Lord’s words and actions. Remember Hebrews 13:8? If He said it… it’s a done deal – He’ll do it. But do read both before and after the verse you’re standing on… you’re not just an observer or a ‘bystander’.
“For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].” (1 John 5:3-4)
Two of the more important comments God makes about His Word:
“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” [Isaiah 55:11]
“But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” [Matthew 4:4]
And what is scripture – the WORD OF GOD. While we may not always understand or appreciate what is said, there is no room for individual determination about what is or is not IS NOT an option. Often, too, we find other scriptures that provide understanding. Point being the Bible IS the Bible and is the basis for our faith and growing in faith. While scripture says:
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. (Romans 12:2-3]
[look also at Acts 3:16, Philippians 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1].
Believe it or not… I’m quoting what Google says:
““The measure of faith” is the same for every believer, and it is the same faith that Jesus possessed. Different believers may have developed and strengthened their faith over time and by the Word, but their faith is no different than yours. You have that same capability.”
While I’m tempted to bold, highlight, italicize, underling that entire paragraph, the point would get lost in all of that. But do see that if someone else appears to have ‘more’ faith than you, it’s because they have taken the time to continually develop and strengthen their faith.
We ALL start from the same beginning anointing of faith. What we do with it is how we grow.
