Growing in faith is a process of deepening one’s relationship with God through consistent study of scripture, prayer, community involvement and actively applying Biblical principles in our daily life. Faith is born into us at the point of salvation and encountering Christ. Ephesians 2:8 says,‘we are saved through faith.’ From that point on, God expects us to grow in faith until it manifests in all we do in our daily lives. This is because every item in our relationship with God is predicated on faith. The author of Hebrews says without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). This is to say, we need faith to satisfy God’s requirements including to claim divine promises (Hebrews 6:12). Every area of our walk with God requires faith. This is the reason we must increase in our faith.
Going back to history, the patriarchs satisfied God by the faith they exercised in Him. For example, our father Abraham pleased God when he left his father’s house as God required, going where he did not know. Isaac exercised faith in God when he submitted himself as the sacrificial lamb on Moriah. In this age of multiple voices and choices, we must step up our faith in God and conduct our daily businesses in accordance with His stipulations, even if our styles and approaches appear awkward by the standards and procedures of the age. This is the best way we can prove that we have faith in God. Our faith in how God wants us to live our lives in this present world should be higher and stronger than how the systems of the world recommend.
You should pay close attention to any area of your life that you want or desire increase. The Bible said in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing. Believers who no longer consume enough of God’s word will find their faith dwindling instead of increasing. By Romans 12:3, God gives to every believer a measure of faith. Then your faith grows according to what you do with it.
A lot of people have done with their faith what the fellow in the Bible did with his one talent (see Matthew 25:25). They have just wrapped their faith up in a napkin, so, to speak and hid it. They have not used it at all. It is up to you, what you do with the measure of faith God has given to you. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. He is saying to us that what bread (or food) is to the body, the word of God is to the spirit of man. We must feed our spirit for our faith to increase. You need to feed your faith and exercise your faith just like you exercise your physical muscles.
To exercise your faith is to put it into practice or exercising it in everyday living.
Your faith can be strengthened by feeding it on the word of God and by exercising it or putting it into practice. F. F. Bosworth said: “Most Christians feed their body three hot meals a day and their spirit one cold snack a week. And they wonder why they’re so weak in faith.” God’s word is faith food and if we want our faith to grow, we must feed it with the word of God. Prayer helps our faith to increase. The Apostles prayed for the Lord to increase their faith. Christians who pray acquire more faith than those who do not.
• Today’s nugget: Faith is strengthened by feeding it. Prayer: Lord increase my faith. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria
