Because of your unbelief

Matt.17:14-20

In the previous lesson we learned what faith is. The Bible defines it as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” [Heb.11:1]. Faith is substance and evidence based on God’s word, and we are given this faith through God’s word. When we walk by faith, we are taking every step based on the truth of God’s word with expectation that He will honor His promises. In this lesson we will study how faith is never the problem in our obedience to God, the problem is our unbelief.

[Matt.17:20] The disciples could not heal the lunatic boy. The problem was not a lack of faith, but a lack of belief. [Matt.10:1] The disciples were given the power to do these things by Jesus. [Rom.10:17] ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ They certainly had all the faith they needed. Just like us they failed because they didn’t quite believe enough. [Matt.17:20] The Lord goes on the say what could be accomplished “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed”. I have always wondered about that example. Was the Lord saying that if I had a very tiny amount of faith, I could move mountains? We have always heard how very small a mustard seed is, that’s not much faith. If that is true, I can’t imagine how very small my faith is because I can’t move a mountain of dirty socks! I have come not to believe He meant it that way.

Another way to look at this verse is:

If we have faith as (or the same kind of) a grain of mustard seed. If we had the same kind of faith as a grain of mustard seed, we could move mountains. Well how much faith does a mustard seed have? Without a doubt, it has complete unwavering faith; enough to do whatever God told it to do and the result is amazing. It has faith to grow and produce in abundance, giving no consideration to its small size. It carries out God’s purpose without doubt! [Gen.1:11-12] God spoke His word and all creation responded, All God’s creation instantly obeys Him at His word – all except man. It is man alone that has trouble believing and obeying.When the Lord speaks, He imparts faith to that little mustard seed to do His will. How much faith does it take? It takes exactly as much as the Lord gives; no more, no less. God gives each of us enough faith to believe Him for exactly what He has called us to do.

[Rom.12:1-8] The context here is your reasonable service to God. Verse 3, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” and Verse 6 “according to the proportion of faith” Whatever God has called you to do, He provides the faith, you must believe and obey. God has given you enough faith to get up everyday and do His will. His will is always based on His word and therefore is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You may not know what the day brings forth, but God does, and He has prepared you for it. You just need to believe and obey.[Prov.3:5-6], one example of God’s measure of faith offered to you, believe.

Your Bible is full of God’s offers, here are a few more:

[Phil.4:6-7],[Phil.4:19],[2Tim.1:7],[Eph.6:10-18],[Gal.2:20],[Rom.8:28] Study His word, and find what He has for you!