“…on the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in His local synagogue, and many who heard him WERE ASTONISHED, saying, “WHERE DID THIS MAN GET THESE THINGS? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter…And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except IN HIS HOMETOWN and among his relatives and in his own household.” And HE COULD DO NO MIGHTY WORK THERE, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mark 6:2-5) What was the problem? UNBELIEF!!! Not a lack of faith Jesus said, “…Because of YOUR UNBELIEF. For truly I say to you, If you have faith LIKE A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, you shall say to this mountain, Move from here to there. AND IT SHALL MOVE. (Matt. 17:20) Jesus said to the father of the demon possessed boy, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And IMMEDIATELY the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe. HELP MY UNBELIEF.” (Mark 9:23-24) Remember WILL, it is unbelief not lack of faith, unbelief goes out by prayer and fasting, Jesus said to them, “This kind (of unbelief) can come out by nothing EXCEPT BY PRAYER AND FASTING.” (Mark 9:29) The reason for this, “For by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD, UNBELIEF IS A TOOL OF THE DEVIL…
-Bill Stockham