I originally started this as a single post. But there’s just too much to talk about so I’ll be continuing this series about planting our faith through February. It’s a big subject and worth taking the time to really dig into and study.
Have you ever had these thoughts: If my faith is strong enough, I can do it. If I have enough faith, it will happen. I’m holding on to my faith as tight as I can.
I know I have. These are common statements in the Christian community. I wonder if we’ve gotten it wrong. After some soul searching about faith, specifically referring to my patterns of belief, I’ve concluded that a problem can develop. Look at the statements above once more.
Do you see the issue? These statements of faith are about me…about how strong I am, how tenacious I can be, how big my faith is. This mentality means that I am the reason why my prayers are answered or not (or in the way I want). My faith is in my faith, not in God’s power and character. Jesus tells a different story.
“He put another parable before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.”
Matthew 13:31
Faith must be planted in Christ to yield fruit. Holding our faith tightly in our fist will do little good. It isn’t until we plant the seed of faith that it will germinate to produce a harvest. But what does planting our tiny seed of faith look like? How can we know if we are placing our faith in our ability to believe or in Jesus? Let’s see what we can learn from people who Jesus praised for their faith.
Faith Submits – Matthew 8:5-13
A centurion approached Jesus on behalf of his sick servant. Jesus says, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion then gives a surprising reply.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Jesus praises him for the greatness of his faith and says, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
You may be thinking that I’ve just contradicted my whole theory because Jesus says “as you have believed.” But look at how the centurion believed. He believed in the authority of Jesus and he spoke from his understanding of Jesus’ position and character. This Roman soldier submitted to the authority of Jesus, a Jewish Rabbi, which must have been shocking to the onlookers at the time!
I love how the centurion connected his own experiences in life with his faith in God. He understood how authority worked as a soldier and applied that knowledge when planting his seed of faith. He basically said this is what I understand: you are in charge, you have the authority to change my situation, I’m placing myself under your authority.
Faith submits to the authority of God. Planting a seed of faith requires not only believing that God can and will do something, it requires placing that seed of faith into the hands of our Creator and acknowledging His authority in the situation. Faith isn’t a bargaining chip or form of payment for God’s work in our lives. It’s an act of surrender to God’s authority that opens the door for Him to act on our behalf.
Don’t hold tightly to your seed of faith. Plant it in the heart of Jesus.
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I want to follow Jesus! How do I get started?
“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
1 John 4:13-15
If you are ready to join the family of God, simply believe and ask. You can choose your own words or pray the prayer below. God hears your heart, simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and let the Spirit lead you.
“Father, I want to be yours. Forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and thank you for the gift of salvation through Him. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and surrender my life to You. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Feel free to spend time just talking to God and sharing your heart with Him. Let Him speak to you and listen as He leads you forward into new life. Welcome to the family.
Need to talk or have questions? Feel free to reach out and contact me.