by Nakia Trader
Jesus tells us that the amount of faith that is required is the size of a mustard seed. As Matthew 13:32 states, a mustard seed “is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Have you ever desired to grow in your faith? Have you ever desired to grow in your faith to the degree in which “birds of the air come and make nests in its branches?” If so, then let me tell you what the Bible says about “growing your faith.”
Well, let’s take the mustard seed that Jesus used as an example to explain the Kingdom of God. Before any seed can grow, it must first be planted. Before a seed is planted it must first be taken from a fruit that has previously grown.
Now I do not desire to get too deep into it; but it is imperative to understand how we have faith to begin with. At the time of our conversion, we are given a mustard seed of faith (in Jesus Christ) in which God Himself through the Holy Spirit planted into our hearts by His Word. This may have been accomplished by a Christian friend or Pastor, but in a nutshell – that’s how our faith begins.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 states, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” Essentially, it is God Who gives us the initial seed of faith to believe in Jesus and He grants us the ability to grow in faith. So, we have faith, now what? How do I grow it?
Hosea 10:12
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
It is our job to cultivate the ground in which the seed of faith abides because “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24). Any person with a green thumb or a general concept about gardening knows how to cultivate the ground so the planted seeds can grow. The process of cultivating involves breaking up the hard soil to grow plants, watering, and tending to it throughout the growing process. So, it involves more than a one-time cultivation experience. Hosea tells us exactly how to cultivate our ground (i.e., our minds) so we can grow our mustard seed faith – by seeking the Lord and sowing for ourselves, righteousness so we can bring forth fruit to God.
To Grow in Faith, it’s simple, yet profound and requires the Lord’s Help. It requires consistently seeking the Lord in prayer, Bible reading/daily devotion, and obedience to His Word. It is committing daily to God’s Word, Will, and Way and trusting Him through the ebbs and flows of life. Start by doing what the Apostle James instructed and “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:7-8 NKJV