Faith does not mean the same thing as belief AND it is NOT a ‘small’ thing, like some infer when they use the ‘mustard seed’ faith.
Mustard Seed Faith:
- Skip to Faith Defined?
- Explanation of Mustard Seed Faith, begins with Scripture!
- Mat_13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Mat_17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mrk_4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Luk_13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
Luk_17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
- Mat_13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
(expand arrow down) Showing .jpg of Mustard plant field, Mustard plant bush or tree — Salvadora perisica – image has a completely free license from from pexels.com. This tree can get amazingly large. There are debates between biblical definition and plant taxonomy. Regardless, you can search ‘Mustard Tree in Israel’ and find much better examples of how the Jews (descendants of old) classifies. I, personally, will not debate on this (I want to get a simple point across) – Too, I believe the Bible, the Context of these particular scriptures, and how they were viewed in their time.
- Key Concepts!
- I underlined key text for your consideration. I would like you to pay special attention to Matthew 13:31 and more especially to Luke 13:19.
- Though the seeds are considered less than all other seeds (Mark 4:31), they (these varieties) grow into strong bushes or large trees! Fowls (birds) of the air would not get lodged if it was just some flimsy plant like wheat, nor would something thin, small, or weak would have ‘branches’! Keep this very point in mind!
- So, we can say that we take a little bit of Faith in the beginning, grow it as we grow in Christ, then we become like the strong trees and full fields then our Faith becomes Large, Bold, without Weakness, and nothing can hinder this. It is with this type of Faith that anything could have been done during the Kingdom of Heaven, on earth. Now it should make more sense! But there is more… I will prove these truths in scripture, below.
- In direct contrast to the Faith I describe as becoming Full and Strong, I can reinforce this belief with additional scripture. How? Just look at the number of times that Jesus spoke ill of men by saying “O ye of little faith.?
- Mat_6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat_8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Mat_16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
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Luk_12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? - So we can read here how have a small amount of faith is actually not what Jesus was teaching. This should destroy the mustard seed faith being only a small thing, as well.
- Mat_6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
- Too, even when Peter tried to walk to Jesus, on the water — he Sank due to little Faith! Does this sound like Faith is meant to represent ONLY the Mustard Seed? I think NOT!
- Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
- Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Faith, Defined:
- Skip to Mustard Seed Faith?
- Faith Clarified: Before giving clear defintion, I want to prepare you by showing usage. In this case, primarily by the Apostle Paul to support the Gospel of Grace (our Salvation, since God had temporary turned from Israel). Below is some randomly selected Scripture showing how Paul talks about Faith more than any other person in the Bible. He also preaches about “Jesus Christ” (both words combined in search = 134 occurrences) more than any other. *Refer to the Pure Bible Search App under our FREE stuff menu.
- Rom_1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom_3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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1Co_2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
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Gal_3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal_3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal_3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal_3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
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Eph_2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph_4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
—–> HINT: ‘baptism’ here is NOT WATER!
1Ti_3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
2Ti_3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
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Tit_1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Tit_1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
- Rom_1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
- Faith Defined: Faith is defined rather simply, in scripture. This can be found in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11.
- Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
- Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
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