Not long ago, we talked about “taking a snapshot” of you and your faith. With this snapshot, we mentioned that you would be able to see where you were in accordance with your faith. We also mentioned that this snapshot was not meant to be a picture of where you wanted to be with your faith but one that revealed where you are and where your faith currently stands. You see, you have to determine where you truly are with your faith so that you can know what you need to do and where you need to go to get you faith where you want it to be an in order to maximize your faith. Once you determine where you are, you can determine the course that you need to take to get you where you want to be with your faith. Then you will be able to determine when you reach your goal.
Everything in your Christian life depends on your faith. You can develop your faith through knowledge by knowing and understanding the word of God. The greatest hindrance to your faith is your own human reasoning. The greatest limitation to your faith is you yourself. What you do with the faith that you have been given is entirely up to you, but it is you that must grow it, that must develop it, that must exercise it. Here is a partial list that we hope will help you to develop your snapshot and to determine where you are with your faith. Do not forget to be honest in your estimate of yourself, measuring your value based on how much faith God has given you. See if you can locate exactly where you currently are with your faith.
GREAT FAITH – And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy (paralyzed), grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so “great faith,” no, not in Israel (Matthew 8:5-10).
LITTLE FAITH – And straightway Jesus constrained (compelled) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart (by himself) to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst (middle) of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit (ghost); and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (Take courage); it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous (violent), he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of “little faith,” wherefore didst thou doubt (Matthew 14:22-31)?
WEAK FAITH – (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (gives life to)the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against (contrary to) hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not “weak in faith,” he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb (Romans 4:17-19).
STRONG FAITH – He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was “strong (strengthened) in faith,” giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21).
FULL OF FAITH – And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians (Hellenists) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (food distribution). Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason (desirable) that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look (seek) ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man “full of faith” and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch (Acts 6:1-5).
While this is a partial list, we hope this list will get you started in locating your picture of faith. From our previous discussions, keep this thought in mind. God has given us all “the same amount of faith” and not some random amount. God did not shortchange anyone when it came to faith, for we all have been given “the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). More on this “snapshot of your faith” to come in the near future, so stay tuned.
As always, we continually pray that our commentary will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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