Mustard Seed Faith: A Journey of Transformation
The writer of the book of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that it is impossible to please God without faith! The writer says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). It is wonderful that all we need is the smallest measure of faith to start our faith walk, and Romans 12:3 tells us that the Lord graciously gives us that seed of faith. Like any seed, the destiny of that seed is to grow. Show More
Faith in seed form, in its purest form, is as small as a mustard seed but holds the power to transform or change lives and move mountains. The mustard seed is considered to be one of the smallest seeds in the plant kingdom and yet can grow into trees ten feet tall. Jesus, in Matthew 17:20, uses this profound imagery to highlight the power of unwavering faith, stating, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
In the same way, Jesus uses this metaphor to encourage His followers to forgive repeatedly. You may recall that the disciples struggled with the question of how often you must forgive someone. However, Jesus emphasized that even the smallest amount of faith can uproot deeply entrenched challenges like forgiving those who repeatedly ask for forgiveness. Luke 17:6 “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 stating that what was impossible with man was possible for “God in us,” as the scriptures state:
- 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
- Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- 1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
These three verses are worth memorizing and then recalling when facing our challenging times.
But how do we grow from seed faith to greater faith?
The Apostle Paul provides a roadmap in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Paul declares the gospel as “the power of God to salvation” and explains that righteousness is revealed as we live “from faith to faith.”This faith growth is a journey – like a mustard seed that starts small yet grows into a tree that provides shelter and support for others (Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:19). Our faith, when cultivated, grows to produce not only belief but action and change from within or what we call transformation.
Faith as Trust and Relationship
The Bible often describes faith as a relationship with God. It’s not just following a set of rules or knowing facts about Him. It’s about leaning on Him when life is hard and trusting Him to guide you even when you don’t see the whole picture. For example:
- Abraham is called the “father of faith” because he trusted God enough to leave his home and follow God’s instructions, even though he didn’t know where he was going (Genesis 12:1-4).
- In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This means we trust God even when we can’t see how things will work out.
Faith also means accepting God’s promises about salvation. The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith in Jesus, not by our own efforts. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, we are putting our faith in God’s plan for us.
So, faith is like saying, “I trust You, God, no matter what happens.” It’s about giving Him control over your life and believing He knows what’s best for you. This kind of trust changes how we live—it gives us peace, hope, and courage, even in difficult times. However, this growth depends upon faith being “worked through love,” emphasizing that love is the fertile ground where faith takes root.
Faith working through love
The phrase “faith working through love” comes from Galatians 5:6, where Paul writes, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” In a biblical sense, this phrase, “faith working through love.” captures the principle of a genuine, living faith that shows in acts of love and compassion. Let’s take a deeper look into this type of faith:
Working Through Love
Love is how we show that our faith in God is real. It’s the outward proof that something has changed in our hearts because of our relationship with Him. If we truly trust God and are connected to Him, it will naturally lead us to love others.
The Bible teaches that love is central to living as a follower of Jesus. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). This kind of love isn’t just about feelings—it’s about actions. It’s how we treat people, even when it’s hard.
The Bible also says that love is the most important quality for Christians. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul writes, “If I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” This reminds us that no matter how much we claim to believe in God, it doesn’t mean much unless it leads us to love others.
In short, love is the evidence that our faith is alive and real. When we trust God, His love fills our hearts and overflows into how we treat the people around us. Whether it’s through kindness, forgiveness, or helping those in need, love is the way we reflect God’s goodness to the world.
Faith and Love Go Together
Faith and love are like two sides of the same coin—they always go hand in hand. If you truly trust God and believe in His promises, it will naturally lead to love. Love is the fruit or result of real faith. Without love, faith becomes empty or even meaningless.
Let me repeat how Paul explains this clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:2, where he says, “If I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.” This shows that faith by itself isn’t enough; it has to lead to actions that are loving and kind. True faith isn’t just believing in God—it’s allowing that belief to change how we live and interact with others. Think of it like this:
- Faith is the root, firmly planted in God’s grace.
- Love is the fruit, showing that the tree (our faith) is alive and healthy.
- James also emphasizes this connection, saying that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Faith working through love means your trust in God inspires you to care for others, treat them kindly, and live in a way that honors Him.
Faith is Not About Rules or Legalism
In the book of Galatians, Paul was writing to people who were confused about whether following Jewish laws, like circumcision, was necessary for salvation. He wanted them to understand that these rituals and rules don’t make someone right with God. Instead, salvation comes through faith in Jesus.
- This is why Paul says in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” It’s not about following a checklist of rules to earn God’s approval. Instead, what matters is trusting in Jesus and letting that faith transform your heart, so it leads you to love others.
- This truth frees Christians from legalism—the idea that we have to follow strict religious rules to be accepted by God. Instead, faith working through love focuses on the relationship we have with God and how that relationship changes the way we live. It’s not about trying to earn salvation but about responding to God’s grace by loving Him and others.
How to Show Faith Through Love
Faith working through love is something we can live out in practical, everyday ways. It’s not just about big, dramatic actions—it’s about small, consistent choices to care for others and reflect God’s love in everything we do. Here are some ways we can show faith through love:
- Helping Others: When someone is in need, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a stranger, offering help is a way to show love. This could be giving food to someone who’s hungry, comforting a friend who’s sad, or supporting a charity that helps people in need.
- Being Kind and Patient: Love shows in how we speak and act. Being kind, even when others are rude, or showing patience when someone is difficult, are powerful ways to live out faith. These actions reflect the fruit of the Spirit.
- Forgiving People: When you forgive someone who hurt you, you’re showing God’s love. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s a way of trusting God and letting go of anger.
- Encouraging and Building Others Up: Words have the power to lift people up or tear them down. Use your words to encourage others, speak kindly, and remind people of God’s love for them.
- Living with Humility: Serving others without expecting anything in return is a powerful way to show love. Jesus Himself served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:12-15). Following His example, we can look for ways to humbly care for those around us.
In short, faith working through love means letting your trust in God inspire you to love others in real, practical ways. It’s about showing God’s love in everything you do—whether big or small—so that others can see His goodness through your life.
Conclusion
“Faith working through love” captures the heart of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Faith is about trusting God completely, believing in His promises, relying on His grace, and building a relationship with Him. But faith is not meant to stay hidden or private. True faith is alive and active, and its clearest evidence is love.
Love is how our faith comes to life. It’s seen in the way we care for others, show kindness and patience, forgive those who hurt us, and humbly serve those in need. It’s not about following a set of religious rules or rituals; it’s about letting God’s love fill our hearts and overflow into our actions.
Faith and love are deeply connected. Faith is the root that anchors us in God, and love is the fruit that grows from it. Without love, our faith is empty, and without faith, our love cannot reflect the selfless, sacrificial nature of God’s love for us.
Living out “faith working through love” is a daily journey. It’s a way of life that frees us from legalism and points us back to the simple yet profound truth that God’s love transforms everything. When we trust in Him and let His love guide us, our faith becomes a powerful witness to His goodness and grace in the world.