Faith

[ShooterMcGavin]

Except for one thing...it takes virtually no faith to start with. Only the grain of mustard seed. Ever seen one? You need a strong magnifying glass.

That miniscule amount of faith, demonstrated by ones actions, can bring more then enough "return" to convince one completely, with one "transaction", that God is real.

So how much does it take?? Almost nothing.

God is only looking for a mustard seed worth of faith...which He will reward overwhelmingly....and then some.

i tend to disagree based on your previous statement where you made an analogy to investing. you had said you only needed to start with a penny (or the mustard seed), but if you want to keep getting more and more back (which you assume that you will want to), you have to keep investing more.

so i guess what i'm saying is, even if all that's needed is a mustard seed, or in reality, an open mind and heart to accept christ, it takes a lot more to become a firm believer with great faith.

[metalman]

i tend to disagree based on your previous statement where you made an analogy to investing. you had said you only needed to start with a penny (or the mustard seed), but if you want to keep getting more and more back (which you assume that you will want to), you have to keep investing more.

.

I see that...but maybe you overlooked something else I said....the rate of return.
Unlike money it doesnt take repeated investments for years or lifetimes, although if one does that the reward will be beyond comprehension, but thats not required.

Furthermore, my illustration is just that, an illustration. It certainly falls short in it's description.

Like I said...those who don't "invest" will not ever know.

[ShooterMcGavin]

I see that...but maybe you overlooked something else I said....the rate of return.
Unlike money it doesnt take repeated investments for years or lifetimes, although if one does that the reward will be beyond comprehension, but thats not required.

but how can you possibly measure rate of return on FAITH? especially when it almost is guaranteed to vary from individual to individual?

also i disagree with your view that repeated investments over years or a lifetime is not necessary. think of it this way, i learned basic addition and subtraction in kindergarten, if i don't reinvest (by using it, keeping the skills sharp), am i guaranteed to know how to do it when i'm 80 yrs old?

faith as i know it and as i believe is an investment that needs to be made continuously in order to remember the bible's teachings and live by them.

[metalman]

but how can you possibly measure rate of return on FAITH? especially when it almost is guaranteed to vary from individual to individual?

Actually the end result "intrest rate" is the same for all. Its been published.
Also, I dont guarantee anything...God does however.

[ShooterMcGavin]

Actually the end result "intrest rate" is the same for all. Its been published.
Also, I dont guarantee anything...God does however.

i was never contesting the END RESULT, but since this discussion began based on what needed to be invested in order to obtain those end results.

and i never claimed that you could or couldn't guarantee anything so i don't know why that was brought up?

[babygurl]

so i guess what i'm saying is, even if all that's needed is a mustard seed, or in reality, an open mind and heart to accept christ, it takes a lot more to become a firm believer with great faith.

I would have to agree with you. Some people tend to believe, that you accept Jesus into your heart, and you can go back to your regular life. But you have to change some things to get where you need to be.

I am not religious by any means, but I do believe in God, and Jesus is Lord. I believe religion gets to complicated. As far as faith goes, the way I see it is, its not by sight. Can you see a line of love between two people? Honestly, I think not. You can feel the love between two people. So its kind of the same thing. Now to also state this, you can see faith in someone by there actions...and their love for someone. But I think it goes deeper then actions.