In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:18-22, NRSVue)
If you have faith and do not doubt…
Is doubt the opposite of faith?
The word in this passage translated as doubt is not really doubt. This is probably what those who were translating this passage thought made the most sense and helped portray the meaning the writer wanted to convey. The word means to separate, for one to make a decision. I would suggest a translation of that line as, “If you have faith and are of one mind on this.”
We need not question, but doubt, and questioning is a part of life. We have all the faith we need. To trust in God and to be who God has called us to be. We do not need to curse fig trees or move mountains. God will do that for us.
We need to trust and not waver in that trust.
Have faith and trust the promises.
Questions and doubts are a part of life. Trust in God to see you through.
aSacredRebel 