Jesus said it.

Jesus said it

As I study the bible I pay close attention to what Christ says. Let us examine Matthew 21:21.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Is Jesus speaking figuratively here, or is He stating fact?

Didn’t Peter walk on water? Didn’t the woman Christ called a dog have so much faith that the demon was cast out of her child? Didn’t Christ marvel at the faith of some and bemoan the lack of faith in others?

If ye have faith, and doubt not,

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 tells us.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Most Christians hope on the return of Christ, but is that really enough? Shouldn’t we hope to be more like Christ or his substance while we live here in this earth. We can’t see Christ, yet we have faith that He is our savior and that he will be returning.

If you were to apply the parable of the hidden talent, or three servants to application of faith it may be easier to understand.

Matthew 25: 14-26. The first servant working the money of the master was rewarded accordingly to his diligence of handling the money. The servant found not working the money or handling it diligently was harshly dealt with for his lacking.

When Jesus is speaking to us having faith I don’t believe it is a figurative statement. I believe it is factual. Remember he sent His Apostles out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils. Matthew 10:8. These men knew Christ, followed him and were given power to do these works. Weren’t the 120 waiting and praying in one accord in the upper room also given the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Doesn’t the entire book of Acts describe the divine multiplying factor of Christ’s church through the promised Holy Spirit?  John 14:16

In the course of my journey in Christ I run into other folks claiming to be Christian. As we speak, it seems as though they don’t know the Holy Spirit is an individual that we can not see. Christ used a very specific term when He introduced the Apostles to Him. John 14:17

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

If we don’t know that the Holy Spirit is an individual, is it possible in our ignorance we grieve him? And aren’t we told not to grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30.

Getting back to the point that I pay close attention to what Jesus said, I am convinced the only reason why God’s truth isn’t more readily known is because of a very weak faith in him by his believers.  The fault is not completely of the believers. We have a very convincing enemy working against God’s Holy Spirit these days. He is very busy especially with the technological blessings we all live by today. Fame, wealth, self-interest, influence are all idols before God. Satan and his demons are whispering into the ears of many rebellious to God. Satan has deceived many including the religious. Wherever God’s blessings are at work, Satan’s deceptions follow relentlessly turning proper thanks of those blessings into a creation of self-dependence and hard work. Take for instance the life saving work of a cardio surgeon. Or even the wealth building capability of a diligent money manager. These folks become very influential and sought after even without knowing or wanting to know their creator. And even with all these great talents the problems never end.

Now if we were to look at the potential of what Christ was plainly stating.

If we had faith without doubt, could we heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils today? The Apostles did so after Christ’s ascension. How is it that a nation built on Christian doctrine faces so many problems of need? Aren’t we supposed to have life and more abundantly? With a command Christ killed the fig tree. By example we should also have the power to speak to a mountain and have it cast into the sea! Remember we mustn’t doubt.

As I reflect there is a greater fear among people than when I was growing up.

Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?   '

Here Jesus is speaking to what we as modern Christian might call worry.

I notice that many Christians don’t speak much of their faith. They do speak about things that are of this world such as money, security, healthcare, possessions, interests, justice or injustice, politics and world events. Is it any wonder there is fear or worry or doubt?

Even when I make the point of what Christ said in scriptures about caring for worldly concerns some of the so-called Christians, knowing scripture say that worldly wisdom in healthy. My heart grows heavy in hearing these sentiments because I know that there is so much more potential in Christ’s instruction than in precautions of men.

Because of this fear or worry of losing worldly things the Christian demographic has abdicated the once cherished moral authority of “In God We Trust”. Our reality is plagued with manners and ways that reject God’s prominence and authority as honored by a people or nation. Unnatural lifestyles are accepted, criminal proceedings seem to be unpunished, lying is the new conveyance.

If Christians spoke their faith and lived it out boldly would this reprehensible tendency have had any room to grow? Or was it a certainty of prophesy Christ discussed in end times prophesy?

And if it must be a certainty then should we not seek out the condition from Old Testament prophecy speaking to similar times and conditions?

Isaiah 5:1-23 describes a condition which should seem very familiar to anyone honest about current conditions in our world. Isaiah 5:23-30 speaks to what is yet in front of us for our wickedness.

Christians worrying about tomorrow or fearing death in this world are removed from the truth of God’s promises in eternal life, I know we are warned not to be deceived, but I also know many of those claiming to have faith simply don’t possess faith and deceive themselves welcoming woes stated in Isaiah.

We will have faith in God and seek to walk in righteousness of Christ or we will be the children of disobedience. Christ warns us of the time when those believing themselves as saved with be dreadfully surprised. Matthew 13: 14-23

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

If these scriptures don’t motivate any believer to press further into just what the Father’s will is I’m uncertain of any that will. There are some in Revelation that hold the same truth and reality, but among those that study Revelation prophesy many are divided in meaning and interpretation. So, we must also press into the word to see what it says about unity in Christ’s church.

Ephesians 4 speaks to the Christian walk from the Apostle Paul. In these words, we can have a surety that we are keeping with the will of the Father. Because Paul is the largest content writer of the New Testament, speaking largely to faith in Christ we must also have faith in Christ as part of the triune Godhead. Father son and Holy Spirit. Christ in flesh gave us the template to honor God’s the Father’s will, and He did so with warning the closest group he ever shared time with in fulfilling His mission. Read what He said to the group concerning how He would be perceived. John 15:18-21

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

And what did Jesus say to do to all His followers?

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The very thing Christ compels us to do will provide us with a certainty of many hating us.

Now are some unwilling to do what Christ tells us is it because they lack faith, or do they want to avoid persecution? Or is not doing what He told the faithful to do just a choice to be not interested either? Christian capitulation for man’s doctrine is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. To know this is to know the meaning of what the accuser of the brethren does. Keep in mind that as long as we are in the flesh without Christ are helpless to become children of disobedience. There bye not being found at the straight and narrow gate.

Another weakness of faith I see is that of the believer that misuses or misconstrues scripture for a personal affection they have that has no basis in context of scripture.  Many will mix our 2^nd Amendment right to bear arms as a notion that God approves of and even commands. This is malarkey. The favorite quoted scripture is Luke 22:36.

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

This would sound like Jesus is promoting warfare and if it stood alone such a thinking would make sense, but the following verse opens up the meaning a bit more than the less than faithful are interested in knowing.

Luke 22:37 states:

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

What was written about this time and Jesus’ words? The answer is in Isaiah 53:12.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

What is a transgressor? Someone violating a law of God. Is killing against God’s Law? 6th commandment.

How is it that folks claiming to be Christians can claim faith on nothing taught by Christ?

Remember Jesus answer to speaking in parables? Mark 13:13

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Such is the case with any violence proscribed in Jesus name that I question the faith of the beholder.

If we are to build our faith, we must press into scriptures and compare scriptures to each other for understanding the truth of God’s word. If we don’t we should consider ourselves twice accursed as Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

In my study of God’s word I hold fast to what Jesus said as He ministered for three and a half years of His life. More study has shown me how the Old Testament is replete of Jesus types and course destinations. In as much as I understand that a relationship with Jesus is needed, I am grateful He left us not alone and with a great comforter.