“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field…will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Mt 6:30
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus speaks about worry and universal things we worry about. “What shall we eat?” “What shall we drink?” “What shall we wear?” These are worry questions that motivates the vast sea of humanity in an energetic pursuit of self-provision. Jesus said “…the pagans run after these things…”
As Jesus speaks about worry, He delivers His marvelous words about God tending to the food needs of birds and clothing the lilies in splendor. He asks “Are you not much more valuable than they?” With all this evidence of God’s care, it doesn’t make sense to worry. Thus the groan and the statement by Jesus directed to worriers “…O you of little faith…”
It is interesting in Scripture to see how God frequently bolsters faith by reminding His people of His past, miraculous deliverances …the striking down of the firstborn of Egypt; the parting of the Red Sea; bringing water from a rock. Jesus teaches in this passage, the bolstering of our faith based on God’s, present, observable provisions in nature.
So, if you are endeavoring to rise above the life of “little faith” … a life characterized by worry, ponder nature around you and be reminded by the cross that God’s care for you far surpasses his care for birds and lilies.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
GFT #1 - Introduction to the Study of Jesus' Comments on Faith
“… when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Lk 18:8
Jesus had an interesting way of verbalizing his observations of people. Rather than comment on people’s intelligence, their good looks or their personality; He would, on occasion, comment on their faith. To one person(s), He would say “Oh you of little faith!” and to another “What great faith!”.
The Bible says that it is by faith that we, sinners, are declared righteous . Without faith it is impossible to please God. With faith nothing is impossible. By faith we can do spectacular things such as uprooting trees or picking up mountains and tossing them into the sea. In the book of James, the prayer of faith can heal the sick. Faith is the shield by which we extinguish the flaming darts of Satan. I want to understand these things and experience the reality of them.
So in the quest for great faith, I set out on a study of each time Jesus commented on another person’s faith. I would like to pass on my observations in a series of brief and to-the-point “great faith thoughts” (GFT’s).
Please feel free to chime in with your own thoughts. If I’m in error, please feel free to correct me. Regardless, I’m hoping some thought that is shared will engage your thinking on the subject of faith.
Stay tuned!
Jesus had an interesting way of verbalizing his observations of people. Rather than comment on people’s intelligence, their good looks or their personality; He would, on occasion, comment on their faith. To one person(s), He would say “Oh you of little faith!” and to another “What great faith!”.
The Bible says that it is by faith that we, sinners, are declared righteous . Without faith it is impossible to please God. With faith nothing is impossible. By faith we can do spectacular things such as uprooting trees or picking up mountains and tossing them into the sea. In the book of James, the prayer of faith can heal the sick. Faith is the shield by which we extinguish the flaming darts of Satan. I want to understand these things and experience the reality of them.
So in the quest for great faith, I set out on a study of each time Jesus commented on another person’s faith. I would like to pass on my observations in a series of brief and to-the-point “great faith thoughts” (GFT’s).
Please feel free to chime in with your own thoughts. If I’m in error, please feel free to correct me. Regardless, I’m hoping some thought that is shared will engage your thinking on the subject of faith.
Stay tuned!
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