Faith

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” [Matthew 21.18-22]

Yeah, well, it would just be easier to leave this one alone, right?

What about this mountain-moving kind of faith? Do we dare believe it?

I am convinced that we are falling extremely short of the authority Jesus intends for us to walk in. 

Faith and authority go hand in hand.

Both camps of belief really have a problem with this: the "faith" people aren't moving any mountains (not even withering a tree) and the anti-faith people (those who believe the miraculous is passed away - therefore they believe there is no "authority") aren't even trying! Both are in sharp contrast to what Jesus set as the standard.

Oh yes, I indict myself here too, but it does not change the fact. 

Faith is not personal and private. Faith moves mountains, heals the sick, and even raises the dead. Not much of that going on that I see. Faith brings others into the Kingdom of God. Faith unites true believers. Again, faith and authority go hand in hand in accomplishing these otherwise miraculous tasks.

So, why are we not seeing the miraculous on a widespread basis? It is no different today than it was when Jesus walked the earth - because of our unbelief.

Oh be sure there are many considerations. But the soul who is walking with God - truly walking with God - walks in His authority (as well as responsibility) and will rightly discern every circumstance encountered. God is simply not going to entrust His mighty power to an irresponsible novice... Or will He? 

We need to study faith. We need to study ourselves as our lives exercise faith. We need to study God and His Son Jesus the Messiah. We need to see our faith work! Faith is active not passive. Faith - Bible faith - has results, works, evidence. I am not making this up - just commenting on the life of Jesus (that He instructed us to duplicate).

Father, I am so seeing my lack of faith today. I have been afraid to speak in faith - afraid of failure. But that fear of failure is really just a doubt of You. Please forgive me - I want to turn from my unbelief and glorify You by a life of simple, powerful faith.