Increasing the Faith
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
Romans 10:17
Faith is our conviction about things that we cannot see “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). But it is not a blind confidence in the absence of evidence. This conviction must be based upon knowledge, and knowledge must be based upon the Word of God. Therefore, to develop a transforming and enduring faith, a person must daily and earnestly study the Bible and be transformed by it.
Also, faith is like a muscle if we exercise it, it gets stronger. As we develop our daily dependence on God, our confidence in Him will get stronger. But if we don’t use our conviction to hold onto the Lord, we will get weaker and loose our trust in Him. Like any talent that is given by God, without usage it withers away but with constant usage it grows and multiplies.
The parable of the persistent widow is a good example of the necessity of a persevering faith that doesn’t give up (Luke 18:1-8). The believer must claim by faith God’s promises that he may receive them. Jesus said, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).
And by trust the Christian holds daily unto God’s promises to help him overcome. “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). His confidence in the One who has made the promises makes him certain that his requests will be fulfilled in due time.
Finally, trust enables the Christian not only to lay claim to promised blessings but to receive and to enjoy them now. Thus, the promised blessings become a present possession. The good things to come are no longer only dreams to be fulfilled in the future, but living realities in the present. The invisible becomes visible. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
