What exactly is faith? If it could be measured physically, we know that at maturity it would equal the size of a mustard seed (Matt. 17:20).  The story mentioned in Matthew 17:14-21 has always grasped my attention because of where it is located in the sequence of events of the disciple’s ministry during Jesus’ life. 

In this story, a man comes forward to Jesus out of a crowd to make his request known on behalf of his son.  He had already taken his son to the disciples in order to be healed and he was not.  In perseverance this father goes up the ladder to the Teacher of the disciples to receive the healing his son so desperately needed.  Jesus responds to the disciples in what is interpreted as disgust to their inability to overpower the spiritual binding on this child.  The reasoning for this failure was, “Because of the littleness of your faith” (Matt. 17:20a, NASB).  Their faith was yet to mature.

We have to admit that the disciples had a pretty remarkable faith by this time frame.  They had already been sent out as the twelve to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans the lepers, and cast out demons (Matt. 10:8).  They had already been doing the works of the Lord, operating in faith.  A lack of success happens and when the answer was sought as to why the failure happened, it was because the faith they did have was not enough.  So I am led back to the original question of what exactly is faith?

Before one can have faith, they must first have hope.  Once they have hope, then there must be belief in the hope being accomplished.  Once these two things are in place, then the hope and belief is put into action resulting in faith.  Faith is an action word.  It is easy to quote a Scripture verse stating, “…but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26b, NASB).  We believe this verse in that all things are possible with God, but it is a totally different topic to put this belief or confidence into action.  Therefore, I define faith as, supernatural action.  It took a supernatural action to save you from your sins.

So when I ask, do you live by faith?  I am asking if you live a life that is completely encompassed by supernatural action?  Little faith accomplishes little actions, such as those things mentioned in Matthew 10:8 (this is what Jesus implied as being little actions).  How is this greater faith that Jesus implied we need to have in the passage from Matthew 17 attained?  It is by following Jesus’ answer to the disciples; we must understand what Jesus meant when He said to live a life of prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21).  He wasn’t merely talking about speaking general prayers and not eating food!

I desire to live a Faith-Full life, for His glory alone.