What is Faith after all? In Mark 11:22-26, Jesus encouraged us to pray in faith, and this promise has been misinterpreted by many. I would like to claim that every time I pray, answers come right away. But, I can’t claim that unless i pretend. Great faith is not the issue of quantity, but of quality. Jesus, in the gospel accounts, often looked for faith when He was ready to perform a miracle or a healing. He drew out faith from people. Every man has potential of believing in God. God is interested in a man’s belief in Him, as it is good for him.

The book of Hebrews is about faith. Chapter 11 of this book celebrates faith. The Glory of our faith is not based on the one who has faith, but glory of our faith is based upon the One on whom we have faith. The value of faith is not on faith itself, but on the object of that faith. Our faith is great faith because it is upon Christ. In verse 6, we see the definition of faith. Great faith trusts the nature and character of God. “God is a rewarder….” God is a good God, a caring God, a loving God. So, what is Faith? I believe that God exists. But that is not enough. I also believe that God is a rewarder.

There is a mountain mentioned in Jesus’ statement. We have mountains of various kinds which need to be cast down by prayer – sickness, troubles, pain, closed doors, demons etc. The mountain seems to pose questions to you,

“Does God love me?”

I need to speak to the mountain, “Yes, God loves me.”

“Does He care?”

“Yes, He cares.”

 You pray to God, not to the mountain. This was not meant to be a lesson on will power or positive thinking, neither about having blind faith or complete knowledge of an upcoming healing. What if I don’t have the determination? God will provide the determination.

Faith is not the same as feeling of faith. There is difference between the two.  Many people think that having great faith involves having great feelings. Your faith is amazing because it is faith upon Jesus. In Matthew 8:23-27, the storm came while Jesus is in the Boat. Yes, challenges can come to faithful believers. Bad things can happen to good people and good things can happen to bad people. We don’t need form formula out of Bible. Sometimes, the storm may be the evidence that Jesus is in the boat. If God is for us, then we are no more neutral. Anybody who is God’s enemy is now our enemy now. Satan is our enemy now.

Faith brings us to a place of vulnerability. If the trial was supposed to be within your limits, then it is not a test. It is so because Faith means leaning on someone else’s (God’s) strength. Faith is that i am not going to depend on myself. I am going to depend on God’s strength. FOR EVERYTHING. When i am weak, He is my strength. That is why Salvation is not by works. Jesus does not require any good works for salvation, but only faith – Not before, nor at the time of nor after salvation.  that.

Is great faith assurance about my future? No, not necessarily! Mountain is asking you,

“Does Jesus care?”

“Yes. I know He does.”

“Will He change everything in my life here?”

“I don’t know. I would like Him to.”

Expressing your pain, or uncertainty, is not lack of faith. Answers, or no answers -both ways, Jesus cares for me. Jesus often admired people of great faith and challenged people of little faith. Great faith is not working up of certain kind of emotions which seem to be sure of a future deliverance. I may doubt my future but i don’t doubt my God. In any case, i have an eternal future. LITTLE faith questions the character of God. The difference between little faith and great faith is of single eye and a divided heart (Hebrews 11:13, 10:22).

In 2 Corinthians 11:3, there is a warning that demons try to corrupt our minds from simple things. ‘Make the simple complicated,’ The devil roars in darkness. Our recent encounters with some demon possessed individuals have been very illuminating. Ministers are not supposed to focus on elaborate exercises trying to cast out demons. Only God casts demons out, we pray simple prayers of faith. And we love the people. Our ministry is not towards the demonic realm, but the suffering humanity. Believers are responsible to be a Bible-believing and Bible-centered Christians.

Faith is a simple thing. Behind the focus on the miraculous and the sensational, even within the Church, is the most common work demons are performing in these last days. False doctrines are demon’s primary work. Demons are liars. They are lying in churches too. They are taking believers away from simplicity of the great faith – faith upon Christ, leaning on His strength, learning of Him, embracing His promises without receiving them.

Have a Great Faith!