TruthPoints

12.12.07

Growing Faith

        Paul, writing to the Church at Thessalonica, said, I “sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3)  Paul knew that the fellow-believers in the Church needed encouragement regarding their faith, in light of the intense persecution they were facing.

        Perhaps you need a word of encouragement today concerning your faith.  Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was the same as my prayer for you; “that no one should be shaken by…afflictions”.  (1 Thessalonians 3:3)

        A young Chinese man was travelling from China to America to study at one of the universities.  A fellow passenger noticed him reading his Bible on the deck of the ship.  He engaged the Chinese gentleman in conversation.  He spoke disparagingly of the Bible, endeavouring to create doubt in it, adding, "I would not like to disturb your faith in Christ, however".  The young Chinese gentleman replied, "Sir, if you could disturb my faith in Christ, He would not be a big enough Savior for me”.

        The pioneer missionary C. T. Studd said, "Mere soul saving is easy.  What is difficult is making those converts into soldiers, saints, and soul-winners."

        Now Paul had ambitions for this church in Thessalonica.  He was not content with the status quo.  He had just received an encouraging report of their faith, but he wanted more.  He wanted their faith to be made perfect (3:10) that is, complete, or mature.  This is more than saving faith, important as that is.  It is the faith that enables the believer to live the Christian life, as he ought.  He is talking about sustaining and sanctifying faith.

What kind of faith do you have?  If you have believed on Christ for salvation, that is good but, there is much more to the Christian life.  Your faith should mature and grow.  It is by faith that we appropriate all that is ours in Christ, but this faith has to grow, develop, and mature.  That means that our faith is a living thing, its something that grows.

        C. H. Spurgeon said, "A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a great faith will bring heaven to your soul".

        You might be asking, “How can my faith grow, develop, and mature?”  That is an excellent question; one that every Christian should be asking.  The answer, as are all answers to weighty questions, is found in the Word of God – (Romans 10:17) to be exact.  “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”   

        This may sound like an oversimplification of the facts, but the truth is simple in this situation.  The more of God’s Word I take into my mind, heart, and life the more my faith grows, the more I take pleasure in my daily walk with Christ, and the more I enjoy the smile of God on my life.

        This is my prayer for you today; that you would “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.  (2 Peter 3:18).  My prayer is that God would bring “heaven to your soul” right now.

Pastor David