Blog : Grow in Faith

Grow in Faith

11/1/2009 3:36 pm

Hebrews 11:13

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." KJB

Every single believer needs to grow in their faith because it does not come automatically and in full force at the time of conversion but rather is a growing part of our belief. Each believer also should hold fast to the faith and it should never waiver because when our faith waivers in the slightest Satan uses that against us: sometimes without even our realizing it. Every believer faces many challenges through their life but there are at least two of them which at times is very difficult to handle. The first thing is that we cannot see heaven with our physical eyes and so without that our earthly nature sometimes has a hard time with the very idea of heaven and without that our minds seem to question whether or not that there even is a heaven. The nation of Israel, as they stood on the far bank of the promised land finally realized that it actually existed but for the forty years that they wandered through the desert they could not help but think the same thing that a modern Christian cannot help but ask: "Is the promised land actually there?" The writer to the Hebrews, which I believe is Paul, in our text for today was very aware that this question could lead to doubt and that doubt could lead to being highly discouraged and at the end might cause some to fall by the way side. He wrote this: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:38-39) KJB. Notice that this seems to say that someone might be able to lose their soul but does it actually say that? NO! It says, "...if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." A parent does not stop loving a child when that child disobeys but rather does not have any pleasure in the fact that the child did disobey. The same thing is said there.

Even though we cannot see the promised land or heaven, does not mean that it is not there! However, by complete faith, we can "...see [it] afar off". Because remember, "...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) KJB. Now, our Bible is a very good source for finding out that heaven actually exists and when we study it out we cannot help but realize that it is true. Our faith is found in the Word of God and not in man. Paul seems to tell us that there is a very special power in the Word of God which enables believers to be able to grow in their faith because we read: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1:17-19) KJB. I know, you are probably thinking, wow, it takes faith to be able to grow in faith. Faith is actually the fuel or energizer which helps us to have greater faith and that is illustrated in our text for today very well. Hebrews chapter eleven has been deemed as the "faith chapter" of our Bible because we read about Noah, Abraham, and many others in regards to their faith. They believed God and did what He told them to do and that took great faith. Take for instance Noah. He preached to those around him for over 100 years and yet not one believed him when he told them about what God was going to do with the flood. Only eight souls were saved at that time and the rest of the world, man, animals and plants died out during that forty days and forty nights of rain and the waters which came from the deep. These in this "faith chapter" had seen the promises of God by faith and not by sight. Abram (Abraham) went forth not knowing where he was going and yet he stepped out in faith and went. These in Hebrews Eleven showed their faith by their actions and it was their faith which helped them to grow in more faith. These promises were so real to these wonderful giants of faith that they "embraced them" (the promises) like we should do as believers in Christ and our walk with Him. We grow in our faith and walk as we learn of Him and what He did for us. We also grow in faith as we read about our sins and sin nature. I want you to realize something, it is only through our faith and making it as an integral part of our lives that we are able to grow and mature as Christians.

Our churches are full of "babes" in Christ because they refuse to learn about Him, so there faith does not come through that word and therefore it does not grow. The only way we can grow and mature as Christians is to learn more and more about the Lord.

Now, another challenge that we all face each and every day is the fear of the world's coming against us in some shape or fashion. We are told over and over again in the word of God that the world will come against us, that, we can take to the bank, by faith. The world does not like what a Christian stands for, and that is the Word of God. Now, this fear of what the world can do to us will stop many believers from being a witness for Him and will actually stop them from "confessing" their faith. Now, I realize that this might be a stop to some but to others it is a "dying faith", even though it is difficult to speak up when ones life is in the balance. Paul says: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) KJB. And then to the church at Philippi he said: "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed , but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:20-21) KJB. This should be the attitude of every believer or should I say true believer. We should not faint when it comes to proclaiming our faith to the world because the world can do nothing to us, the true us. Sure they can kill the body but the soul will live for all eternity.

Now, like nothing else can, the shouting forth from the roof tops the gospel of the living Christ helps us to build our faith in Him and it truly honors Him. So, if you want to grow in your faith, learn of Him in our Bible, then proclaim Him to all the world, even though that world might kill you. The question is, are you ashamed of what Christ did for you on the cross? NO! Then prove it!

By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.

Used with permission

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