Word@Work Luke259 - Luke 17:5-6
Published: Mon, 12/20/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
FAITH THAT'S BIG ENOUGH
Luke 17:5-6 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 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. (NIV)
Jesus had just told His disciples to keep on forgiving others who repented of their sins against them - even if they sin and repent seven times a day (Luke 17:4). The trainee apostles did not think they had enough faith to do that! So Jesus taught them that faith was not about doing the possible, but achieving the impossible through His command.
He likened faith to a mustard seed - small and insignificant; and the problem to a mulberry tree - large with deep roots. Of course, a mustard seed cannot naturally throw a big tree into the sea, any more than it is naturally possible to restore a relationship which has become entrenched in deep rooted bitterness. But that was Jesus' point. Faith is not about having confidence in ourselves, or a positive attitude to life. It is a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ in which we believe that He will give us strength to work with Him through what seem to us to be impossible circumstances - and that He enables the removal of the obstacles.
Our faith does not need to be large, but it does need to be living. That is: we learn to walk in partnership with God, trusting Him to do all that we cannot, but being willing to work with Him for a common purpose, so that His decisions become our actions and result in wonderful solutions that give Him much Glory. So, take that impossible matter to Him. Trust Him that He really does have the power and authority to put everything in its right place, and then take the actions He makes clear to you. It would become the daily practice of the apostles as they were responsible for establishing the early church under God's hand. It has been the way of every believer who has made a difference for Christ's sake. It needs to become your daily way of life too. Start today!
Prayer: Powerful God. Thank You for giving me a relationship with Yourself through the death of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the life of Your Holy Spirit within me. Please help me to practise the faith You have given to me, by surrendering to You the large obstacles in my life. Help me to believe that You have the answer and that You will work with me, and through me, so that I can play my part in the solution. Help me also to live so closely with You that I will believe that You will do all things well, and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus had just told His disciples to keep on forgiving others who repented of their sins against them - even if they sin and repent seven times a day (Luke 17:4). The trainee apostles did not think they had enough faith to do that! So Jesus taught them that faith was not about doing the possible, but achieving the impossible through His command.
He likened faith to a mustard seed - small and insignificant; and the problem to a mulberry tree - large with deep roots. Of course, a mustard seed cannot naturally throw a big tree into the sea, any more than it is naturally possible to restore a relationship which has become entrenched in deep rooted bitterness. But that was Jesus' point. Faith is not about having confidence in ourselves, or a positive attitude to life. It is a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ in which we believe that He will give us strength to work with Him through what seem to us to be impossible circumstances - and that He enables the removal of the obstacles.
Our faith does not need to be large, but it does need to be living. That is: we learn to walk in partnership with God, trusting Him to do all that we cannot, but being willing to work with Him for a common purpose, so that His decisions become our actions and result in wonderful solutions that give Him much Glory. So, take that impossible matter to Him. Trust Him that He really does have the power and authority to put everything in its right place, and then take the actions He makes clear to you. It would become the daily practice of the apostles as they were responsible for establishing the early church under God's hand. It has been the way of every believer who has made a difference for Christ's sake. It needs to become your daily way of life too. Start today!
Prayer: Powerful God. Thank You for giving me a relationship with Yourself through the death of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the life of Your Holy Spirit within me. Please help me to practise the faith You have given to me, by surrendering to You the large obstacles in my life. Help me to believe that You have the answer and that You will work with me, and through me, so that I can play my part in the solution. Help me also to live so closely with You that I will believe that You will do all things well, and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In His Name. Amen.
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