How To Grow Your Faith (Part I)

HOW TO GROW YOUR FAITH
(PART I)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith is the ability to believe without doubting.  The Scriptures say that if we doubt, we cannot receive anything from the Lord, “for a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8). Doubt tells us things are too impossible to happen, whereas faith says all things are possible through God if we believe. It is no wonder doubt and faith cannot co-exist. “Fear” Bishop JR Grant preached, “is the enemy of faith”. The presence of fear and doubt disqualifies faith. So also is faith. Its presence drives fear and doubt.

“Believe in the Lord your God so shall ye be established, believe his prophets so shall ye prosper” (II Chronicles 20:20). If we want to receive anything from the Lord, we must believe that, He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We must first believe that God is able. Believe that our impossibilities are His possibilities. Believe that our challenges are His opportunities to be glorified, because nothing shall be impossible with God, for “all things are possible to him that believeth.” (St. Mark 9:23). But for that to be our experience and testimony, we must first believe, believe His word and believe Him for ourselves.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiates 12:13-14).

It takes faith to keep the commandments of God. It is this faith which makes   us belief that God shall bring every work into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  This faith comes from the fear of the Lord and believing that God will destroy all who disobey. It is this faith that helps us to strive for righteousness whilst living in this sin sick world. This faith helps us to remember even when we get discouraged, that our righteousness in this life shall not be in vain in the Lord. (Revelation 22:11-12).

There is yet another kind of faith, the faith to believe that God will deliver us from our troubles, trials and tribulations, and that God will give us the power to overcome our diverse temptations, our weaknesses and infirmities. All these are possible, but we have to believe. Faith is more than a belief system. Faith will propel us to act on what we believe in, hence Paul writes, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).

Overall, faith needs us to be patient yet proactive, to persevere hardships , knowing that ” we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.” (II Corinthians 4:9). Our faith will help us stand on the promises of God, even in our darkest moments.

This kind of faith, unwavering faith, continues to believe in the goodness of the Lord even when going through tribulations or our situations seem to be beyond repair.  The key is to believe and not despair. As humans, we look at the difficulty of our own circumstances. Our lack of faith drives us to believe that if it is too hard for me, it must be too hard also for God to intervene.” Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). Jesus has answered this question for us, saying, “for with God nothing shall be impossible” (St. Luke 1:37).

When we look at our diverse situations and see the challenges, the hardships, it is easy to give up hope. But if we look at our situations with Spiritual eyes, with renewed faith in God, and His ability to save and deliver, we will realize once again, as many times before that “He has never failed us yet”.

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (St. Mark 10: 27). Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16), believing that trouble does not last always.