The Challenge of Growing in Faith

The world of this century is living through one of the most fertile and prolific eras in matters of faith. If faith were only a matter of believing in something or someone, we could almost say that we live surrounded by a humanity full of ‘believers.’

Few people say they believe in absolutely nothing. Everyone believes in something or someone. Today most people understand faith simply as the act of believing (no matter in what or in whom). The impulse to believe in someone or anything at all, however childish and absurd it may seem, is a sign of the unbridled excess and perversity of a world and an age that would rather trust in anything than in the originator of true faith, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Try it. Go out into the street and ask anyone: “Do you have faith?” You will be surprised that the vast majority will answer yes; some will turn the question back on you and say, “Well, it depends on what you call faith. I believe in my own way; I have my own faith.” Another group will exclaim, “Why, I go to church and even have a Bible at home!” The answers may vary, but very few will reply, “Yes, I have faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross so that I might have salvation today!”

Anyone can be a believer if they understand faith intellectually and say, “I believe in God.” But there is a faith that transcends beliefs and creeds and centers on trust and conviction in the power of God. That is the faith required to be saved, and that is why it is saving faith. Saving faith is grounded in the sacrifice of the cross. Believing merely for the sake of believing does not bring salvation. The Bible says that even the evil one believes in God: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble” (James 2:19).

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8)—saving faith. It is the Holy Spirit who works in the Christian’s heart and convinces them of God’s supernatural power to live a life of faith that equips them for growth. It is the Holy Spirit who causes faith to grow in each of us. Without faith, it is not only impossible to please God; it would also be unimaginable to understand God’s will and purposes for our lives with a certainty that exceeds the limits of reason. Without faith, salvation is not possible, for faith is the means God has used and continues to use so that we may draw near to Him, know Him more each day, and love Him. Faith brings forth the love that springs from the deepest intimacy with Christ. That is why it is important to grow in faith. The Word of God is the foundation of saving faith; hearing it, studying it, examining it, and meditating on it will produce a supernatural outpouring in the Christian’s faith. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Sincere and constant prayer before the Lord will awaken an immense need and determination to keep growing in faith.

Abraham’s faith in God moved him to leave his land and his relatives for an unknown place, giving up everything. His trust and conviction in the Creator God enabled Abraham to take hold of the promise, but his justification came through his faith, because he believed in Him. “By faith Abraham, who had received the promises, was put to the test and offered Isaac, his only son” (Heb. 11:17).

The prayer of the prophet Habakkuk (Hab. 3:17–19) is a beautiful hymn to faith and trust in God. Habakkuk knew that the Chaldeans would bring pain and calamity to his land; nevertheless, he would exclaim in verse 18, “Yet—(that is, whatever happens)—I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be glad in the God of my salvation.” That is faith in action. Faith that God alone is the provider, no matter how devastating the consequences of any event in our lives may be.

In the wake of the recent tornado that devastated the town of Moore in Oklahoma, USA, in one fell swoop, I heard a local woman who had lost everything exclaim on the news, with deep sorrow and tears in her eyes: “I know that God is in control of everything and that He will provide.” That is faith in action. I am sure God will pour out a tremendous flood of blessings on those who think and act in faith as this woman did. That faith is conviction and trust in the power of Jesus to restore the soul and put back together what had been lost. Let us remember Job’s words when he exclaimed, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last He will stand upon the dust!” (Job 19:25). This is genuine worship. Faith is also an act of worship.

Faith moves God to bless those who trust in His love and mercy and tears down the walls of self-sufficiency in human beings and even in believers.

Do we grow in faith? Of course we do. If faith is the provision of the Most High God so that we may know our Lord Jesus Christ intimately and personally, then the closer we draw to Him and experience His will, the stronger our faith will become. It will become our shield (Ephesians 6:16) as we fight glorious battles in His name for the Gospel that has been given to us as a manifestation of God’s grace. Faith is a supernatural manifestation of grace in the Christian life, given only to those who have believed in the God of Abraham, Habakkuk, Daniel, and Job and in the divine revelation in His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer; the author, provider, and sustainer of faith (Heb. 12:2).

The Apostle Paul invites us to search our hearts for the true condition of our faith and reminds us—we often forget—that Christ is in us: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless, of course, you fail the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5).

All things are possible for the man and woman of faith. How much more so if, with the Spirit’s help, we set our minds on growing more and more in faith in Christ!

God bless you!