FAITH'S PIONEER

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5

From where does faith come? The answer is not complicated; it is simple. God created all things. Colossians 1:16, "Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him." John 1:3, "Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word, nothing came into being. . ."

Would the apostles have asked Jesus to increase their faith if they had not believed that faith came through Him? Their faith came from hearing God Himself through the human one, Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17, "So faith comes out of hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." These apostles had a specifically measured portion of faith. 2 Peter 1:1, "To those who have been allotted faith equally precious as ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

We were instructed in Hebrews 12:2 to "[F]ix our eyes on Jesus, faith's pioneer and perfecter." This scripture says where faith precisely originated; it was through Jesus. He was the pioneer of faith, and He alone, can increase and perfect faith.

This message is this: never boast in your faith or be judgmental of others' lack of faith. We, who believe, have faith. It was a seed, made by God, planted by Jesus, and nurtured by the Holy Spirit. We had nothing to do with it. If we can remember this most basic of principle, we would understand that even a monumental task accomplished through our mustard-seed faith would not be ours, but His. We would say, "We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty." Luke 17:10

Do you think if we understood that God pioneered our faith, we would see people without faith through different eyes? If you have any faith at all, give God all the glory and praise, share that faith with others, and let Him judge those who are without or who have a different faith. That's not our job, anyway.

If I have any faith at all, dearest Lord, it is because of you. Help me when I lack faith. Thank you! Amen.