In the movie Jaws, three men are hunting a huge man-eating shark. One of the men, Sheriff Brodie, comes face to face with this huge and hungry shark. When this happens, he says, “We are going to need a bigger boat.”
In the Bible, Jesus taught His disciples that they would face great trials and persecution. He also taught them that they would have to learn to forgive others without reservation. These teachings of Jesus must have seemed overwhelming to the disciples. They were as daunting as the huge, hungry shark was to Sheriff Brodie. So, the disciples said, “We are going to need a bigger faith.”
In Luke chapter 17, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus then told them that if they had even a tiny bit of faith, they could do great things. Wow, that is a tremendous promise. That is what most of us want. We want to be known for doing great things. We desire to achieve these things with just a little faith.
As Jesus continued His teaching, He explained the characteristics of a spirit-filled person. He shows us in the Bible that those who are great in their faith are servants. He says that a faithful person is actively working for God’s glory. And we learn that there is no faith without works. A spirit-filled person is not self-centered; they never seek gratitude but serve only for the glory of God.
A follower of Christ knows that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works. A faithful person’s mind is always on Christ. Always in their heart are these words: “Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me.” “But unto You belongs all honor and glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.”
“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:21-22 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.21.21-22.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
yes indeed the “one in mirror” needs more faith – so far most of us have had it fairly easy – but the day is coming.
thankyou.