Seek God: NOT Things! Session 5 Part 2-A-3. Matthew 17:20 – “Living Faith Brings Results”

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Picture Reference: YouVersion Bible App

II. Main Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:1,27; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7:

A-3. Matthew 17:20 – “Living Faith Brings Results” – Session 5 – Let’s look at another version of Matthew 17:20; the Amplified Bible (AMP), “He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, ^[a]if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (underline added by me).

The AMP version really breaks down Matthew 17:20 for us. When I saw “…if you have living faith…,” I wanted to know what living faith was – I am glad this version had a footnote, and this is what the footnote said:

Matthew 17:20 Jesus used this moment to emphasize to the disciples that a person’s confident, abiding faith combined with God’s power can produce absolutely amazing results, if the request is in harmony with God’s will. God is fully capable of doing that which man regards as impossible (Mark 14:36; James 4:3) (a).

Therefore, we see from Matthew 17:20 footnote that “living faith,” is faith that is confident and abiding, in God’s Power, no matter what it looks like; our faith should be in God’s abilities, not ours! THEN, when our faith is living, it can be combined with God’s Power, to produce results (what we pray for), that are in line with God’s will, for our lives!

  

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God’s blessings,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks