Monday, September 18, 2006
FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS
This was written by Steve Troxel of God's Daily Word Ministries.
In the message "The Mountain of Faith" we saw the faith of Abraham as God told him to climb the mountain and sacrifice Isaac. But, more importantly, we saw this as a picture of what it means to truly believe. Jesus said, "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16), but true belief clearly implies a willingness to obediently follow.
The gift of eternal life is given to those who have faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. This precious gift is never linked to a specific amount of faith; rather, the only requirement of the gospel is that our faith be genuine. In fact, Jesus stated that a small amount of faith can accomplish more than we can imagine.
Matthew 17:20
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
This is amazing! Jesus used the example of a mustard seed because it was the smallest seed known. A few chapters later, He made a similar statement; "If you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done"
(Matthew 21:21). If we are a child of God then we have already been given sufficient faith by Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). There is therefore NO obstacle which cannot be cast aside!
Of course, genuine faith also implies an alignment with the will of God. Jesus even said, "He can do only what He sees His Father doing" (John 5:19). This is why we don't see physical mountains moving around today - it's not in the will of God. However, it's most definitely in God's will that we move all mountains which threaten to block our path toward Him or hinder His plan for our life.
If we really believe, we ought to be living our life according to His truth and the faith we have been given! Though we may face mountains in our job, relationships, finances, health, kids, or parents; though we may face temptations or addictions which appear impossible to conquer; though we may battle a low self esteem which says we can't, we must believe the Word of God is true! "With God ALL things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Though we may not understand, we must believe, in faith, that God is infinitely greater than the bounds of our understanding. We are not walking alone and NO problem is beyond His ability to direct.
If we desire to live the full life God intends - the life that honors Him with every move and even every breath - then God's Word must become our foundation. Whatever problems we face, we must fall on our knees with humble submission to His will and seek His face in prayer. Then we must rise up and step forward without doubt, and, in His strength, believe we have been given the faith to move mountains.
In the message "The Mountain of Faith" we saw the faith of Abraham as God told him to climb the mountain and sacrifice Isaac. But, more importantly, we saw this as a picture of what it means to truly believe. Jesus said, "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16), but true belief clearly implies a willingness to obediently follow.
The gift of eternal life is given to those who have faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. This precious gift is never linked to a specific amount of faith; rather, the only requirement of the gospel is that our faith be genuine. In fact, Jesus stated that a small amount of faith can accomplish more than we can imagine.
Matthew 17:20
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
This is amazing! Jesus used the example of a mustard seed because it was the smallest seed known. A few chapters later, He made a similar statement; "If you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done"
(Matthew 21:21). If we are a child of God then we have already been given sufficient faith by Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). There is therefore NO obstacle which cannot be cast aside!
Of course, genuine faith also implies an alignment with the will of God. Jesus even said, "He can do only what He sees His Father doing" (John 5:19). This is why we don't see physical mountains moving around today - it's not in the will of God. However, it's most definitely in God's will that we move all mountains which threaten to block our path toward Him or hinder His plan for our life.
If we really believe, we ought to be living our life according to His truth and the faith we have been given! Though we may face mountains in our job, relationships, finances, health, kids, or parents; though we may face temptations or addictions which appear impossible to conquer; though we may battle a low self esteem which says we can't, we must believe the Word of God is true! "With God ALL things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Though we may not understand, we must believe, in faith, that God is infinitely greater than the bounds of our understanding. We are not walking alone and NO problem is beyond His ability to direct.
If we desire to live the full life God intends - the life that honors Him with every move and even every breath - then God's Word must become our foundation. Whatever problems we face, we must fall on our knees with humble submission to His will and seek His face in prayer. Then we must rise up and step forward without doubt, and, in His strength, believe we have been given the faith to move mountains.
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