Mark 11:22 – And Jesus answered them, “Have God’s faith.”
It is quite fascinating how few Biblical scholars are willing to step forward and admit how this Greek phrase should be translated, “have God’s faith,” or “have the faith of God,” or “…literally, have the faith of God” (The Pulpit Commentary). The noun is in the genitive case, and the verb ‘to have’ is in the imperative.
There cannot be a more important topic than faith. I have heard how some people believe miracles ended with the book of Acts. Well, if miracles ended with the book of Acts, then there are no more salvations; for the salvation of a single person is the most wonderful miracle known to man! Now, all miracles depend on the divine work of faith. Jesus is not interested in us having the kind of faith you read about in a dictionary. He is not interested in us having the kind of faith referring to various religious and philosophical beliefs. Jesus desires we have the faith of God. God’s faith speaks to the absolutely impossible and watches it take place. God’s faith moves beyond every doubt and notion of fear. God’s faith will not be afraid of what others might think (Romans 4:16-18; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 4:16-18).
Jesus informed the disciples how what he had done, they would also do (Matthew 21:21; John 14:12). He had commanded the fig tree to dry up, and it did. What Jesus said to them, He said to the Church for all time. Did He give the disciples something not belonging to everyone else who would believe? Absolutely not! What Jesus supplied to those first few men which He trained, He poured out upon the whole Church by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:17-18, 39; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11-13; and 1 Corinthians 12:7, 27-28; Jude 20). At some point, you and I must stand up and begin to curse the fig trees of unfruitfulness and speak to the mountains of impossibility. At some point, we must boldly proclaim these words of life and be willing to demonstrate the power of God present in our lives. Too many people cower in fear, waiting for someone else to do what Jesus commands us to do. Or, they are waiting for another day when they receive some special anointing. Saints, I tell you, if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, then you have the One Who works the faith of God right there with you right now (Galatians 2:20; John 14:15-23, 17:16-23). All you have to do is be willing to open your mouth and take the risk. The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ faith; and He was equally amazed at their lack of it (Luke 8:25; Matthew 17:17).
Jesus was absolute about His position regarding our faith. We find this statement delivered to us as an imperative. Jesus demanded them then, and He does us today as well, to have God’s faith – a faith defined and exemplified by what Jesus did when He commanded the fig tree to die. If we are going to walk in faith, then we must start moving. We must recognize faith has a belief. Faith has a commitment, faith has a faithfulness, faith has a fight, faith works by love. Faith is not dependent upon what is seen and heard in the realms of men. Faith calls those things which are not as though they were. Faith depends solely on what God has said. Faith is bold and will say what God has said. Faith is tested. Faith is strengthened. Faith is perfected. Faith will increase so we may be full of faith (Acts 6:5,8, 11:24; Hebrews 10:22, 11:1-12:2; Jude 20-25). Have God’s faith, and let it begin right now!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen