“Faith Makes The Difference”

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

What does it mean when the Bible says that if your faith is as little as a mustard seed, you can move the mountains?  Is it literally referring to the mountains?  If it is, why can't a pastor or missionary move a mountain; isn't their faith at least the size of a mustard seed?

Sincerely,
Interest Peaked

Dear Interest Peaked,

The verse you are referring to is Matt 17:20.  Jesus was talking to the apostles (Matt 17:19) about why they were unable to cast out a particularly stubborn demon (Matt 17:14-16).  Jesus told his apostles that the reason they were unable to cast out the demon was because they didn’t have enough faith.  If they had been more faithful, they could have performed the miracle.

The story is not directly applicable to us today because we can’t perform miracles like the apostles could – but there is an important principle being taught: faith makes a difference.  Faith is one of the greatest elements of Christianity (1 Cor 13:13).  If we trust God, great things can happen.

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