It's a great day and we are blessed already because we are in Christ. Amen. WE DON'T JUST HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST, WE HAVE THE FAITH OF CHRIST IN US. HALLELUJAH!

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 2:16, King James Version (KJV).

Christ believers today sincerely ask God for more faith and a headline reference to this prayer is found in Luke 17:5 - "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith". In this piece, we will consider the build-up to that statement and Jesus' response. I'll also share some other thoughts with you. I'm sure you'll be blessed as we run together. 

Now, let's see the buildup to Luke 17:5

1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Luke 17:1-4, New King James Version (NKJV).

Now, see verse 5:

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

It's actually interesting that Jesus' disciples saw Him raise the dead, heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, open the eyes of the blind and perform many other great works but never told Him to increase their faith. It was until Jesus spoke on forgiveness that they made this declaration. They were probably like, "Woah! 7 times? Increase our faith, Lord". It's very understandable if they had these exact or similar thoughts run through their minds because, without Christ, it is absolutely impossible to forgive someone who has offended you 7 times in a day. Imagine being hurt 7 times a day by the same person? That's just the height of it and Jesus says, 'Forgive'. 

The Christian life is not just hard, it's impossible to live without Christ! Jesus said, "Without me, there's nothing you can do" (John 15:5). What is a Christian life without Christ? Impossible! Christ made it Christian 😁. 

Something came to mind while I was editing this piece (of course, I had to edit what I had in mind while writing so that it would be easy to understand): looking at the context of Luke 17:5, it was as if Jesus Christ's disciples saw that the need for their character transformation (in terms of forgiving those who offend them) was greater than the miracles they saw Jesus do and the ones they did by Jesus' power. But you see, the same faith that causes you to perform miracles is the same faith you need to forgive others. 

Now, as sincere as Jesus disciples were in Luke 17:5, they were sincerely wrong! (Friend, God will correct you if you're sincerely wrong. He is Love. So, there's nothing to fear or be condemned about. God corrects; self and satan condemn). Hear what Jesus said in response to their prayer - verse 6:

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." 

Jesus was simply telling them, 'Guys, you don't need more faith. Just use what you have - believe in God'. They were in unbelief. 

It's actually interesting to note that as tiny as a mustard seed is (as displayed in the picture above), that's what Jesus likened faith to - not the quantity of faith but Faith itself - that's as much faith you and I need to walk with God and do great exploits - "you can say to this mulberry TREE, ‘Be pulled up BY THE ROOTS and be PLANTED in the sea,’ and it would obey you". You are never disadvantaged.

Something came to mind: if Jesus said that by Faith (which is likened to a mustard seed), you can tell a mulberry tree to be pulled by its roots (Wow!), it simply means that it was this same faith that He used to curse the fig tree that dried up from its roots. Hallelujah! (Mark 11:20, Matthew 21:19). Faith is that powerful!

I wish to let you know that it is a great exploit to forgive. If you don't know, the one who realized that you have forgiven him of his/her offense knows and will forever be thankful to you. Are you not grateful to God for forgiving all your sins each time you remember he has? So, why not give that person who has hurt you forgiveness today? Offense is something we easily take sometimes, even unconsciously and I tell you, as a child of God who has the fruit of forgiveness residing in you, forgiveness is something you can easily give because it's by Faith - Faith in the Fact that God cares about me more than anyone does (including my self) and He has forgiven me of all my faults (even the ones I don't realize).

Still on the theme of the Christ believer not having need of an increase in faith, let's see another passage of the Bible: Matthew 14:26-31.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, COME. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Looking at the context of this scriptural passage, we see that upon hearing the Word (Jesus Christ) which gives Faith (Romans 10:17), Peter demonstrated faith by walking on water. What word did he hear that gave him Faith? Come. Just that one word gave him tremendous faith to do the impossible. Faith is tremendous! Just use it. 

Every word from God contains supernatural faith which causes us to operate in God's supernatural realm.

Peter began to sink when he was in doubt not when he had a little faith in terms of quantity - 'why did you doubt?' Jesus asked.

The word 'little faith' in this context isn't referring to the amount of faith that Peter had. It refers to the duration in which he used faith i.e., the length of time for which he believed Jesus' Word - his use of faith was short-term/short-timed. Remember, he started out in faith but ended in doubt. 

We have the Faith of God on our inside and it can work anytime, anywhere! Glory! 

So I won't bore or stress you with reading too too many texts, I had to break this piece into two. By God's Grace, the other part of this piece will be displayed as the next. 

God bless you!