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How Much Faith is Enough?

The variability of faith is indicated when Jesus uses a phrase like “faith as small as a mustard seed” (Luke 17:6). The disciples specifically asked that Jesus increase their faith. The answer they got was a parable about servants getting what they have earned. The takeaway seems to be that the amount of faith we have is solely within our control.

The Greek word “pistis” is translated faith and was one of the words personified in mythology. In Greek rhetoric the word was often used as “proof” such that the idea of one who has been persuaded of the certainty of the truth of something. In a small way that act of sitting in a chair reflects the trust one has that the chair will hold their weight. In a larger way, putting money in the bank shows a faith that the bank will not steal it.

We can see degrees of faith with expressions like “hedging your bets” or “diversify your portfolio”. Buying insurance is also an act of a degree of uncertainty in what one trusts. For Israel keeping the law was done for different reasons such as cultural expectation, to show off (like with the Pharisees), and even a sincere desire to obey God (having faith). When James writes the believing Jews, he highlights faith shown by works perhaps because their tradition did not have a specific emphasis on faith and needed to better understand that faith should be such that it would influence what they did.

For a Christian whose faith in the gospel of the death burial and resurrection of Christ for the payment of our sins is sufficient to be placed into the body of Christ there is no requirement for more faith. However, one’s faith does grow as one matures and grows in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Similar to those of Israel that James challenged to see if they had faith by examining their works, Christians today might be challenged about their own faith such that if there is no growth, are they really Christian?

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? - 2 Corinthians 13:5

One way to test one’s faith is to examine what one’s priorities are. For example, Christians are told that they are not to live for themselves, but for him who died for them (2Cor 5:15). Some view the total requirement of their faith as going to church once a week and giving some money. Perhaps a more sure metric would be to gauge how often brothers and sisters in Christ are visited and inquired of as to needs. If one has a heart for other Christians and a passionate prayer life for them as well as a hunger to feed on God’s word, one might conclude that his faith is vital and growing.

As one exercises discernment and sees with increasing clarity the foolishness and deceptions of the world, it can make the truth of the bible more clear. The love of Christ can also be seen as more certain. One’s faith in that which is true becomes the foundation upon which to resist all that is false.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

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