Growing Faith: 5~When Faith Opens the Door

In this Growing Faith series, we started with Jesus’ parable about when faith is only as big as a mustard seed, we can do amazing things in His Name (Growing Faith 1~The Littleness of Faith). He presents how much more is available when we mature in our faith. The faith seeds we have been focusing on are rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. No one else has the power to forgive sins, set us on the path that leads to the fulfillment of our purpose and set us apart for eternity with Him.[1]

If you have been following this series, you realize by now that I believe that God shows us His hidden glory in creation and science. Inherent in the creation of the world, He made His invisible wonderful attributes easily perceived, if we will only look for it. He knows we need a visible representation to help us understand the invisible.[2] That is the basis of my approach in this faith seed series: to use natural systems to understand spiritual truths that display God’s nature and help us want to know Him better.

Every natural seed’s design includes a specific root system to protect and nourish the life in the plant. It is the same with spiritual seeds. Faith seeds are the beginning of a strong and vibrant faith. We tend tiny natural seeds and tender root tips with great care so the fruit will eventually be abundant. We promote the root growth so it matures and supports the stem and leaves for vibrant health; repelling disease and predators. As seeds mature, their roots develop so that they are grounded (not easily uprooted or destroyed).

When we intentionally tend our faith seedlings for this same purpose, our spiritual roots go deeper and more robust in Christ. We water and feed the roots of faith in His astonishing love for us by spending time in the Bible absorbing and applying its truths, as well as in heart conversations with Jesus Christ. Our understanding of who He is begins to grow beyond our initial root tip stage and blossoms into something enduring and real. He alone knows the spiritual potential in each of us. He often uses object lessons from life circumstances and relationships that begin with “You have little faith…”

“By constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of your life.” Ephesians 3:17 TPT

Consider This: ‘But I’ve been a believer for years’, you may be thinking, ‘My faith is strong.’ I am happy to know that. The one thing I have learned about Jesus, is that He never leaves me in the same place for long. His love compels me to go deeper, to give Him greater access to my life and exercise my faith. This is how I strengthen in new areas. I am grateful He has never left me alone. Without His firm and gentle leading I would be in a precarious place, for sure. When He says to me, ‘consider your small faith in this thing you are facing’, I listen.

It is worth revisiting these other ‘little faith’ lessons in Matthew chapters 6 & 7.

•   6:30 – Faith for provision
•   8:26 – Faith for protection
• 14:31 – Faith for taking risks
•  16:8 – Faith for provision
• 17:20 – Faith for miracles, in His Name

He wants us to have an increasingly stronger faith, so that when lack, storms, risks, disease, and the impossible come knocking at our doors, we will have the understanding and assurance that He faces it with us. So that more and more we look to Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. It is His face and His promises that all our circumstances see first. We can trust Him.

I have read that faith is the currency of God’s kingdom; that without it nothing happens and with it, anything is possible.[3] If Heaven is going to touch earth, then faith is what will breakthrough to the impossible. By you and me. When our faith in Him opens the door.

We cannot activate the faith of open doors by vain declarations and saying the right words. Our hearts and heaven know the difference. We gain it through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and by trusting in His promises and nature; by walking it out with Him every day.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7 NLT

Will you talk to God about this today?

1. What circumstance is at your door today?
2. Will faith answer the knock?
3. With which of Jesus’ promises in the Bible will you face it?

 

[1] Acts 4:12 (TPT) [2] Romans 1:20 (TPT) [3] Hebrews 11:6

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