The challenge of growing in faith

The world of this century is experiencing one of the most fertile and prolific times in matters of faith. If faith were only about believing in something or someone, we could almost say that we live surrounded by a humanity full of 'believers'.

Few say they don't believe in anything at all. Everybody believes in something or someone. Today most people understand faith simply as the act of believing (it doesn't matter what or whom). The syndrome of believing in someone or anything, however childish and absurd it may seem, is a sign of the debauchery and perversity of a world and an age that prefers to trust in anything but the inventor of true faith, Jesus Christ, our Mister.

Take the test. Get out there and ask anyone. - Do you have faith? - You will be surprised that the vast majority will answer you in the affirmative; Some will answer the question and say - Well, it depends on what you call faith. I believe in mine, I have my faith -. Another group will exclaim.- If I go to church and even have a bible at home! The answers can be varied, but very few will answer: -Yes, I have faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross so that today he may have salvation! -

Anyone can be a believer if he understands faith intellectually and says "I believe in God." But there is a faith that transcends beliefs and creeds and focuses on trust and conviction in the power of God. That is the faith that is required to be saved, that is why it is saving faith. Saving faith is based on the sacrifice of the cross. Believing 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; well you do. The demons also believe and tremble ”(James 2:19).

Faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2: 8), saving faith. It is the Holy Spirit who does the work in the heart of the Christian and convinces him of the supernatural power of God to lead a life of faith that enables him for growth. It is the Holy Spirit who makes faith grow in each one of us. Without faith it is not only impossible to please God, but it would be unimaginable to understand God's will and purposes for our lives with a certainty that exceeds the limits of reason. Without faith there is no possible salvation, because faith is the means that God has used and uses so that we get closer to him and we know him more every day and love him. Faith works the love that comes 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 overflow 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 provoke an immense need and commitment to continue growing in faith.

Abraham's faith in God moved him to leave his land and his relatives for an unknown place, renouncing everything. His trust and conviction in the creator God allowed Abraham to appropriate the promise, but his justification came from his faith, because he believed in Him. “By faith Abraham, who had received the promises, was put to the test and offered to 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 calamities to his land, yet he would exclaim in verse 18 “With everything - (that is, whatever happens) - I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation ”. That is faith in action. Faith that only God is provider, no matter what the devastating consequences of any event in our life are.

In the wake of the recent tornado that struck the town of Moore in Oklahoma, USA, on the news I heard a local who had lost everything exclaim with deep sadness 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 that God will pour out an immense flow of blessings to those who think and act in faith like this woman. That faith is conviction and confidence in the power of Jesus to restore the soul and to put back together what was lost. Let us remember those words of Job when he exclaimed "I know that my redeemer lives and will finally rise above the dust!" (Job 19.25). This is genuine worship. Faith is also an act of worship.

Faith mobilizes God to bless those who trust in his love and mercy and breaks down the walls of the self-sufficiency of the human being and even of the believer.

Do we grow in faith? Of course yes. If faith is the provision of the Most High God so that we know intimately and personally our Lord Jesus Christ, the closer we get to Him and experience His will, our faith will grow stronger, it will become our shield (Ephesians 6:16) to free 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 that is only given 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; author, provider and sustainer of the faith (He 12: 2)

The Apostle Paul invites us to search in our hearts for the true condition of our faith and reminds us - many times we forget - that Christ is in us: “Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; prove yourself. Don't you realize that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless they fail the test! " (2 Cor 13.5)

Everything is possible for the man and woman of faith. How much more if we propose, with the help of the Spirit, to grow more and more in faith in Christ!

God bless you!