Growing in Faith
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.“
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
“How can I have more faith?“ That’s a good question.
We grow our faith by regular study of God’s Word. Scripture’s promises grow our faith and guide us to trust in God for all our needs.
“A growing faith tells that one is going on with God and learning to depend upon His Word because of having proven the truth of its promises. Faith is confidence, and confidence is increased as we see the Lord working in accordance with His revealed will, for the blessing of those who walk in obedience to His precepts. When growing faith and abounding love go hand in hand there is true spiritual development. Unbelief dishonors God and lack of love is a reproach upon the Name of Him who prayed for His own, “that they all may be one.” The better we know God our Father the more we shall love all the household of faith. To profess to love Him while cold to His children is but hypocrisy.“ Harry Ironside
What has God said? What has He promised? How may I pray in faith? These questions are answered in God’s Word.
Are the sermons we hear each week full of the Scriptures, or simply a few human interest stories punctuated by some funny jokes? At church (and in fellowship with believers), do we learn the fear of the Lord, which is really the beginning of wisdom?
“Would you have more faith? Then seek to become more acquainted with Jesus Christ. Study your blessed Savior more and more, and strive to know more of the length and breadth and height of His love. Study Him in all His offices—as the Priest, the Physician, the Redeemer, the Advocate, the Friend, the Teacher, the Shepherd of His believing people. Study Him as one who not only died for you—but is also living for you at the right hand of God—as one who not only shed His blood for you—but daily intercedes for you at the right hand of God—as one who is soon coming again for you, and will stand once more on this earth. The believer who is thoroughly acquainted with the fullness of Jesus Christ—is the believer who travels from grace to glory with the greatest comfort and peace. Then let your daily prayers always contain these words, “Lord, increase my faith.” J.C. Ryle
We need a robust faith to endure the difficulties of life. Let’s get busy this week growing our faith from reading (and studying) God’s Word.
“I prayed for faith and thought it would strike me like lightning. But faith did not come. One day I read, “Now faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” I had closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now began to study my Bible and faith has been growing ever since.“ Dwight L. Moody