Faith

So our bible study has been reading The Kings Cross by Tim Keller.  Throughout the process of reading the book I've found myself growing a ton.  To briefly describe the book I would say its a hybrid commentary/teaching of the Gospel of Mark.  Keller does an awesome job of using a historical and linguistic context of the scripture, and then weaving it into how it relates to the cross and Jesus.  While there is no, what ill call, "overall theme" for the book, it mainly sticks to going through Mark chronologically (as the text is written).

While reading the last couple chapters (that our bible study has gone through) I've found some very practical and awesome truths which have begun to grow me individually.  One such thing was dealing with the story of Jesus calming the storm.  Specifically dealing with the statement Jesus says: "Do you have no faith?" or also "Where is your faith?"  In the midst of this Keller presents the ultimate truth in this.  Is our faith based on "how much" or is it based on the object itself.  The analogy in which Keller gives is one falling off of a cliff.  As they're falling they notice a branch.  How much faith is needed for the person to reach out and grab the branch?  One does not need much faith in the branch to grab out, just the faith in itself that the branch could prevent the imminent end of the fall.  To finish this story he presents the statement:

 "That's because it's not the quality of your faith that saves you; it's the object of your faith. It doesn't matter how you feel about the branch; all that matters is the branch. And Jesus is the branch."

Later he goes on to note that Faith is ultimately a gift, and not a virtue.  This idea of faith as a gift is a crazy thing.  Certain scriptures even point to this truth (Romans 12:3 or Ephesians 2:8 for example).  Underneath all of this is the crazy, awesome, and even scary truth: God is ultimately the one who controls the "measure" of our faith.  Just because you may "believe more" doesn't make you any more a follower of Jesus.  The underlying and great news of all of this is that faith is based on its source, the object of the thing: Jesus.  What defines us as Christians is Jesus. He is the Branch. He is the Vine. Our faith is because of Him. It comes from Him. It IS Him.  If this is the base of your faith, that it is the object and not the quantity, then you can rest knowing He is ultimately in control.  What an awesome truth.