2007 November | Bradford Baptist Church

Archive for November, 2007

Having Enough Faith

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November 28, 2007 in Other. 0 Comments

One of the things that people will often question when faced with difficult and trying circumstances is, ‘do I have enough faith?’ Only once in scripture do we find Jesus’ disciples asking for an increase in faith.

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:3-5 (NIV)

It is interesting to note that the disciples did not ask for an increase in faith when Jesus fed the 5000 from five loaves and two fish. Nor did they ask for an increase in faith when they saw Peter walk on water. They asked for an increase in faith when Jesus spoke of forgiveness. Which makes the point; it might be easier to walk on water than it is to forgive someone who has wronged you.

What we need to look at is Jesus’ response to his disciples’ request for more faith;

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17:6 (NIV)

One would expect His teaching to start out, “Okay, here’s how you increase your faith.” At least that would appear easier for all of us; ten steps to increased faith or something along that line. At least then we could know when we had achieved the level of faith we need instead of constantly wondering if we have enough.

Or maybe Jesus did leave us with the assurance of having enough faith.

Jesus uses the mustard seed as an illustration twice. Once in the above passage and the other when speaking of the Kingdom of God;

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 (NIV)

Here Jesus is talking about something small that becomes very large. The Kingdom of God is about growth, it is about expanding. When speaking of faith though, Jesus uses the mustard see to illustrate how little we need to do amazing things. Be sure not to confuse the two illustrations. Jesus does not teach about increasing faith, He wants us to know that even a very tiny bit is enough.

I do not know the situation you are facing right now but one thing I do know – you have enough faith. Two things to remember from scripture;

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, … Matthew 21:21 (NIV)

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NIV)

A New Uniform

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Glen

November 15, 2007 in Other. 0 Comments

Welcome to the weekly E-votional; thoughts about life, faith and spirituality.

This past Sunday my oldest son donned his uniform and headed off to a Remembrance Day ceremony with the rest of his unit. He has been a member of the Canadian Forces since last February training with the Reserves.

Last February we attended his Canadian Armed Forces Swearing-in Ceremony. There were 34 recruits, all of whom promised to protect Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors. At the end of the session, an officer spoke directly to the recruits and told them that as of now they function under a different law. Their laws come from the Department of National Defence whereas civilians’ laws are mandated from Parliament (or more to the point, our courts!) The recruits were told that if they showed up the next day in the wrong clothes, wearing jewellery other than what is allowed, hair not cut right, they can be thrown in jail! That seems harsh to me. But I’ve never lived a soldier’s life. Every time he puts on his uniform he is, in a way, a different person. He is no longer a civilian, he is a soldier.

It got me thinking about our walk with Jesus. In scripture our walk is often described in military terms;

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light… Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:12,14 (NIV)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

So we put on a new uniform and once in that uniform we operate under a different law;

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ then you are a different person, wearing a new uniform and operating under a different law.

But my son came home Sunday took off his uniform and became a civilian again until the next time he puts on the uniform. I wonder how many of us try to live our lives like this. We put on our uniform Sunday but once we get home we take it off and go back to the old way of life. How’s your uniform looking today?