Radical Faith

CHAPTER 2
M U S T A R D S E E D F A I T H
The Gospel is so simple it is hard to believe. All we do is accept, confess, and believe. (John 6:23; Romans 10:9-10) However, in the natural it appears too good to be true because life experiences have taught us that life is hard, nothing is simple, we are basically powerless to change our situations or circumstances, and everything has to be earned with hard work. The difficulties we experience are rooted in the curse the earth was subjected to as a result of the fall. (Genesis 3:14-21; Romans 8:20) I have met many people who object to being Christian, mainly because it is too difficult, and they think life is easier without Christ. Believers and unbelievers alike all suffer trials and endure hardship. (1Peter 5:9) However, for the believer everything we go through whether good or bad has a blessing in it for us (1 Peter 1:6-9), and works out to our benefit. (Romans 8:28) Moreover, if we persevere in Christ, we shall reap a harvest. (Galatians 6:9)
Everyday life experiences demonstrate the principles and wonders of God. The Bible explains that all of creation reveal(s) the attributes of God. (Romans 1:20) If we stop taking everything for granted and actually see what we look at, we would better understand how to operate in the Kingdom of God. For this reason, Jesus used everyday experiences such as faith, good works, the condition of the heart, and many other aspects of God's wisdom. (Matthew 13:3) Every principle taught in the Bible is accompanied with real life examples displayed for us to understand. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
One of the reasons our Lord lived on the earth as a man was to demonstrate an active relationship with the Father in everyday life. (John 17:21) He was the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3), the fullness of God in bodily form. (Colossians 2:9) He did not do anything unless He first saw the Father do it. (John 5:19) He only taught that which He first heard from the Father. (John 7:16) This is the example that He demonstrated for us, and the very one He intended we follow. (John 10:27)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), and we have received of His fullness. (John 1:16) What an awesome picture. We need to develop our vision and put on our "Son glasses" so that we see everything through the eyes of Jesus, and see Jesus in everyone we look at. (Colossians 3:11) Only then will we have eyes to see and ears to hear. (Matthew 13:6)
It is no wonder the more we learn and understand about the Lord and the Kingdom, we realize how little we actually know. This intensifies our desire to know more and raises questions in our hearts. Where does it begin? How does it work? Can it work for me? It worked then, but will it work today in this modern era of science and technology? The Word of God is like an iceberg. Below the surface it is greater in mass, depth, and width. God's Word is like the Titanic that hit the iceberg. The Titanic hit the part of the iceberg that was beneath the surface of the water before reaching the part of it that could be seen. We experience the truth of the Word before the principles expressed are revealed to us, so that when we do see we have a point of reference from which we are able to understand.
Everything in this world has its origin, its beginning, its "seed." (Genesis 1:12, 22, 28) God specifically lays out the creation account in Genesis, where it is demonstrated that God spoke everything into existence. (Genesis 1:1-31) This is the pattern which God uses to bring His will to pass. Once we can see how God operated in creation, we can understand what is happening with us now. We can determine where we are, where we have been, where we are going, and all that God has placed in our hand. (John 13:3) Understanding ourselves in relation to God's will for us sets the stage for us to do whatever task God sets before us without reservation. We no longer fear for God has revealed His will to us through His Spirit, and now we are able to walk it out with His direction.
Radical faith affects the very foundation or roots of a thing. Faith reaches back and fundamentally alters our beginning, by placing a new "seed" containing the essence of God in our hearts. This is what it means to be "born again." We have to have a new beginning and a new nature, with God as our Father. This is how the generational curse is removed. In the Old Testament, the iniquity of the fathers was passed upon the children to the third and fourth generation. (Exodus 34:7) Now that God is our Father through the new birth, His nature is planted in us in the form of a seed and will eventually grow within us to the point of taking over the old nature. (John 1:12-14, 16)
God's wisdom is in everything He created. This is why we can see evidence of God in everything we look at in the natural. (Romans 1:20) The creation recognizes the Creator. This is why, if Jesus would have ordered the people to stop worshipping Him, the rocks would have cried out in worship. (Luke 19:39-40) All of creation recognizes God. This is why sickness, disease, blindness, feebleness, and every other form of lack obey Him. This is why the wind and sea obey Him. (Matthew 8:27) This is why He could walk on water. (Matthew 14:25) This is why He could wither a tree with only a word. (Matthew 21:19) This is why he could preach in a boat and even the fish would gather to hear Him speak and offer themselves up for a "great catch." (Luke 5:3-7)