We all know that a lot is better than a little bit...but what about when it comes to our faith? Now it is important for us to increase our faith and that does happen as we continue to grow in grace and in our relationship with Christ Jesus. So what is faith? Webster and Dictionary.com has their meaning but I would rather refer to scripture or God's word. According to scripture "faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). I can remember when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I struggled with believing things without seeing them first. I guess you can say I was sort of like Thomas. Who was Thomas you ask? Well he was one of the disciples that was not present when Jesus manifested himself to the other 10 disciples after His resurrection (Judas had hug himself after betraying Jesus). The other 10 told Thomas that they had seen the Lord...Thomas' response? "Unless I see Him...unless I see the nail prints and put my finger in them, unless I see his side where they pierced Him and put my hand there, I will not believe." What was Jesus' response? A week later the disciples were in the house and this time Thomas was with them and Jesus manifested again. Jesus told him to place his finger in the nail prints and told him to stretch out his hand and touch where they pierced him in His side. Thomas' response? "My Lord and My God." Jesus then said, "Thomas because you have seen me you believe, but blessed are those that believe and have not yet seen." Before faith settles there is doubt and speculation. Even if we are heralds' of faith, there will be those that won't believe. One of the most amazing things I have ever heard about or read is what a father told Jesus after bringing his son to Him. The man desired for his son to be healed. Jesus asked if he believed, the man answered, "Lord I believe, but help my unbelief." (Mark 9:23-25). That was a profound statement. Nevertheless, I always wondered, what if I struggle with believing?
What if our faith is not great like those that actually saw Jesus or like those that may have had
some amazing experience during our day and age? Well I found comfort in "faith like a mustard seed." Jesus put it like this, "He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you (Luke 17:6). Jesus also said, "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them (Mark 11:23). The key is not having doubt. It's not easy at first, but as we grow in grace and in our relationship with Jesus it becomes apart of us....Lastly, I have a question for you...have you ever seen a mustard seed? It can fit in the center of your hand...it's very small. It doesn't take a lot but it does require for us to eradicate doubt; for first we must believe that God exists and that He is a rewarded of those that diligently seek Him.
A.G. Wells
