“And without faith it is impossible to please God…” — Hebrews 11:6
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” — Hebrews 12:2
We often hear messages about “having more faith” or “increasing our faith.” But have you ever noticed that Jesus never told His disciples to try harder to believe? When they asked Him, “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5), His response wasn’t what they expected — and it reveals a powerful truth about faith before and after the cross.
1. “Increase Our Faith” — What Jesus Was Really Saying
In Luke 17:5–6, the disciples said,
“Increase our faith!”
And Jesus replied,
“If you had faith as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
At first glance, it sounds like He’s saying they just needed a tiny bit of faith.
But in the Greek, His response actually implies, “If you had any faith at all…” — meaning they didn’t yet have the kind of faith He was referring to.
Why?
Because this was before the cross.
Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples didn’t yet have the indwelling Spirit. They weren’t new creations. They couldn’t yet live by His faith — because the faith of Christ wasn’t yet in them.
2. Faith Before the Cross — Human Faith Responding to a Covenant
Before the cross, faith was based on response and dependence — it was man reaching toward God.
That’s why Jesus often described people’s faith in degrees:
- “O you of little faith…” — when they feared the storm (Matthew 8:26)
- “Great is your faith!” — to the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28)
- “I have not found such great faith in Israel.” — to the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10)
- “Why did you doubt?” — to Peter when he began to sink (Matthew 14:31)
Notice something:
Every example of “great” faith came from outsiders — people who had no covenant right to approach God. They believed purely in the goodness of Jesus, not in religious qualifications.
Their faith amazed Jesus because it was unearned and unentitled. It foreshadowed the kind of faith that would come through Him — a faith based on grace, not merit.
But it was still human faith — belief that could waver, doubt, or fail.
3. After the Cross — A New Kind of Faith
Everything changed after the resurrection.
Once Christ finished the work, He didn’t just redeem us — He shared His very life and faith with us.
“…God has dealt to each one the measure of faith.” — Romans 12:3
“To those who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 1:1
“The life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20
In the New Creation, God didn’t give you a measure of faith that might waver — He gave you the faith of Jesus Himself.
This isn’t human faith trying to hold on — it’s divine faith flowing from the finished work of the cross.
That’s why, after the resurrection, you’ll notice something profound:
The New Testament never again talks about “little faith” or “great faith.”
Because it’s not about your level of faith anymore.
It’s about His perfect, unwavering faith working in you.
4. His Faith Never Wavers
Jesus’ faith endured the cross.
He trusted the Father when everyone else doubted.
He believed through suffering, shame, and silence.
Now, that same faith lives in you — complete, steady, unshakable.
When Paul says,
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” — Hebrews 12:2,
he’s saying: The faith that pleases God began in Jesus and was perfected in Jesus.
You don’t “increase” it — you renew your mind to walk in it.
5. Mind Renewal — The Key to Accessing Christ’s Faith
Everything in the new creation flows through mind renewal.
Your spirit already has everything Christ accomplished — righteousness, holiness, peace, and faith.
But your mind determines how much of it you experience.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” — Romans 12:2
Faith doesn’t grow by effort. It flows as your understanding deepens.
You don’t try to get more faith — you awaken to the faith already within you.
It’s like discovering electricity in a house that’s already wired. The power’s been there all along; you just need to turn on the switch of revelation.
6. The Faith of the Son of God in You
When Peter healed the lame man at the temple, he explained what made it possible:
“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong… Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness.” — Acts 3:16
The miracle didn’t happen through Peter’s personal faith — it happened through the faith that comes through Jesus.
That same faith now abides in every believer.
So when you speak, pray, and live out your calling — it’s not you trying to believe hard enough. It’s His faith operating through a renewed mind and yielded heart.
7. Final Thought
Before the cross, faith was measured — little, great, weak, or wavering.
After the cross, faith was imparted — complete, divine, and unwavering.
You don’t need to ask, “Lord, increase my faith.”
You already have His.
Now, like everything in the new creation, it’s about renewing your mind to what’s already true:
Christ’s faith is your faith.
It doesn’t falter. And It doesn’t fluctuate. It doesn’t fail.
“The life I now live… I live by the faith of the Son of God.” — Galatians 2:20
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2
You’re not striving to have more faith — you’re resting in the One whose faith never wavers.
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