In The Word
Read Romans 4:16-25
16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Earlier in Romans 4, Abraham was called the father of faith to those who believe in Yahshua. It is important to notice that Abraham “grew strong in faith” (Romans 4:20). Yahshua used the words “mustard seed” to teach the disciples that only a small amount of faith was needed to accomplish great things for God. The word “seed” means that our faith should not remain small, but ought to grow in size and strength like a tree. Paul encouraged the Corinthian church with the phrase “as your faith grows”; with their faith they would impact their city for God (2 Corinthians 10:5). Even the faith of followers of Christ can still grow, “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (Luke 17:5).
Faith is crucial to our walk with God. The right amount of faith can open the door for God to do great things in our lives through prayer, or a lack of faith can hinder God from moving. When Yahshua used the example of the mustard seed, He told the disciples “because of the littleness of [their] faith” they were unable to cast a demon out of a boy (Matthew 17:20). Even in Yahshua’s hometown “he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (Matthew 13:58 NIV).
How will your faith grow? Grow in the knowledge of God through studying and meditating on Scripture. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” God desires to do great things in and through your life, and faith opens the door to God.