Matthew 17:19-20
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
I don't know about you, but I have not seen any moving mountains yet.
Yes, it is likely that Christ is engaging in a bit of hyperbole, but unlike so many types of hyperbole, this one was legitimately possible. If we had a true faith, and we prayed for a mountain to move, in line with God's will, then yes, it would move. Yet, as Christ well knew, when would moving a mountain be in line with God's will?
So it is most likely that Christ is using something that would have been seen as impossible to highlight the importance of having faith. Yet we must ask ourselves, "what kind of faith?"
Does a selfish faith move mountains? That is the kind of faith where we believe, but our belief is all about us. God is some kind of cosmic vending machine that dispenses miracles for good behavior and obedience. Was this the kind of faith that Christ was referring to?
Does a proud faith move mountains? That is the kind of faith where we want God to move the mountain so that people can look at us and see how close to God we are and how powerful we are. Was this the kind of faith that Christ was referring to?
Does a flash of faith move mountains? That is, can an unpracticed and rarely used or exercised faith move mountains? How can a faith which is almost never practiced or exercised be strong enough to move mountains? No, it is the humble faith which is regularly exercised that has the ability to be called a mustard seed. A faith that seeks God's will, and not our own. A faith that wants to pray in line with what God wants, and not for our own selfish desires. A faith that puts Him and the center, including His desire to see others come to faith/be healed/be comforted. When our focus is on Him, our faith remains humble.
This is the type of faith to which Christ is referring.
Now, just imagine a church full of believers like that.
Why, it would be just like a field full of mustard seeds, each willing and waiting to grow into a mighty tree which makes more mustard seeds. Then, if a mountain did need moving in line with God's will, well, there would be no shortage of effective prayers.
And that, my fellow believer, is what we should be striving for. Not because perfection is obtainable, but because we want to be as faithful as we can. I would any day rather be closer to what God wants me to be than not.
Very excited to be a part of the church 🙏 blessings from Mr.GUERRA and family