The Gift of Faith (Luke 17:5-6 ESV)

 During my growing up years there was a brother-in-Christ who would explain about God's sovereignity and man's responsibility by usig the example of train tracks.  The train needs two parallel rails on which to run.  One side, he explained, was God's sovereignty while the other rail would represent man's responsibility.  The two work together by God's design.  (He let's us work together with Him by our own free will choice, by-the-way.)

When we look at Scripture verses such as Ephesians 2:8 & 9, Romans 12:3 and 2 Peter 1:1, in this case I'm using the ESV, we see faith has been given to us as a gift from God.  It is also measured to each of us who believe according to how God assigned us the faith.  It was 

"obtained by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1).

This is God's sovereignty.  Man's responsibility, it seems, is to then make it grow.  The apostles had asked Jesus to increase their faith but look at Jesus' answer.  He said that even if their faith was as small as a mustard seed, they could do wonders (see Luke 17:5 & 6).  Man must use the gift of faith given, no matter the allotment, and see what God does through man.

Let's be reminded though that faith has been a gift and therefore, whatever the outcome is of activating this faith within one who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, we cannot boast that 

"I did this" or "that's because of my faith."  

Rather, it stemmed from the faith God had planted within us.

I'd like to insert a quote from Master's University I found online.  It states,

"Faith is not conjured up by the human will but is a sovereignly granted gift of God."

I find this says it all.

Father God, thank You for the gift of faith You've granted each one who believes.  Some may question like they do with Your creation, "What comes first, the chicken or the egg?"  I firmly believe, Father, that because You are the Creator of heaven and Earth and all that in them are, that the chicken came first and then You told them to be "fruitful and multiply".  

Similarly, then You gave the faith for those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior, to believe.  The gift of faith and then belief.  Now You would want us to multiply this faith within us as we build relationship with You.  Together, with You, may we live in and operate from the faith You gave us.  Thanking You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 17:5 & 6 ESV.

Sing, By Faith, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.