0832. The Faith That Grows

The Faith That Grows

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2Th_1:3).

There was a time when the twelve Apostles were deeply concerned about the quantity of their faith, and they said, "Lord, increase our faith." Perhaps many saints have offered that same prayer. They have staggered at the bigness of some Divine promise; or, they have hesitated at the bigness of some Divinely commanded task–then, in the anguish of their soul they have cried "Lord, increase our faith!" Let us see how faith grows:

1. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom_10:17).

If faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, then faith may be increased the same way. We are sure that there is no one thing that increases faith like the increase of the knowledge of the Word. Somehow our faith grows in ratio with the way we hide His Word in our hearts. If we let the Word dwell in us richly, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, we will be greatly enlarged, for the Word of His grace is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among them who are sanctified. Compare Col_1:9-11; Col_3:16 and Act_20:32.

2. Faith is the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal_5:22) and as we walk in the Spirit and obey His voice, the fruit of faith will grow and mature.

Peter speaks of those who have obtained a like precious faith (see 2Pe_1:1), and Paul speaks of faith as the gift of God (see Eph_2:8). These words tell us how faith originated; Gal_5:22 tells us how faith comes to full fruitage.

The fruit of the Spirit is brought to perfection by "walking in the Spirit." Increase of faith is impossible to those who live after the flesh.

3. Faith is one of the graces which we have in Christ, the Head, and as we grow up into Him we grow in faith and make "increase of the body unto the upbuilding of itself in love" (see Eph_4:13-16).

As we attain unto the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" unto "a full grown man" we lay aside the marks of babyhood, and grow up in all things. In these "all things" is included faith.

We sincerely trust that all may have their faith increased (see 2Co_10:15), for as their faith is increased, they are enlarged accordingly in their service and particularly in their preaching of the Gospel in the regions beyond.

"We lift our faith to Thee,

Increased by grace Divine;

Help us, O Lord, Thy footsteps see,

And on Thy help recline."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR