Vital Breath - Week 8
Week 8 Recap:
Faith and Doubt: Trusting the One Who Moves Mountains
Introduction: Life constantly presents us with challenges that test our trust, shake our confidence, and make us question where we stand with God. In moments of uncertainty, the question isn't just, "Do I have enough faith?" but rather, "Where does my faith come from?" The truth is, faith isn't something we manufacture—it's something God gives. And when we embrace that reality, we stop striving and start trusting.
Faith Is a Gift, Not a Performance: Many people think faith is like willpower—something we must muster up to move mountains or earn blessings. But Scripture says otherwise. Faith isn't self-generated; it’s a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that even our belief is a gift, not a result of works, so that no one can boast. When we try to “believe harder,” we place the burden of salvation and transformation on ourselves. True faith is born from relationship, not performance. It grows not through striving, but through surrender.
Doubt Is More Than Uncertainty—It’s Rebellion: In today’s culture, doubt is often seen as healthy skepticism. But biblically, doubt (translated from the Greek word diakrino) is not just uncertainty—it’s active resistance to God’s truth. Doubt isn’t the same as questioning or wrestling; it’s choosing to turn away from trust. The danger lies not in having questions, but in using them to justify spiritual distance. As we see in James 1, the one who doubts is like a wave tossed by the wind—unstable, double-minded, and unable to receive from the Lord.
God Moves Mountains—Not Us: Jesus says in Matthew 21 that if we have faith and do not doubt, we can say to a mountain, “Be lifted and thrown into the sea,” and it will happen. But this isn’t about wishful thinking or force of will. Mountains don’t move because we believe hard enough. They move because God acts through the faith He gives us. It's not about our power—it's about His. Our job is not to throw mountains but to stay close enough to the Mountain Mover that when He acts, we recognize it.
Faith Grows in Relationship: Faith is not a static concept—it’s dynamic and relational. The more time we spend with God through prayer and His Word, the more we are filled with faith. It's like filling a jar with oil: the more oil is poured in, the more water (representing doubt) is pushed out. Faith doesn't grow by force—it grows by proximity. As we draw near to God, He fills us with the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). The closer we are to Him, the more clearly we see the truth.
Faith Is Remembered Through Obedience: God knows that we need tangible reminders of His promises. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two such reminders in the Christian life. Baptism symbolizes our entry into God’s family—an external sign of the internal transformation of faith. The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing act of remembrance, anchoring us in what Christ has done and reminding us who we belong to. These acts don't save us, but they strengthen our trust and connect us to the faith-filled community God has placed us in.
Closing: Move Closer to the Rock: If faith is from God and doubt is born from our own sin nature, then the solution is simple—but not easy: get closer to God. Faith doesn’t grow by effort alone; it grows by intimacy. When trials come—and they will—don’t try to fix yourself. Don’t look inward. Look up. Spend time in His Word. Speak to Him in prayer. Surround yourself with others who will point you back to the Rock. And remember: God doesn’t expect you to move mountains—He just asks you to trust the One who can.
