By Not Known
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
What are the dangers when our faith in Christ is not growing? Let us explore two of the possible reasons. Paul warns us not to remain an infant in our faith in Eph 4:14, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” If our faith is not growing and we remain immature, we might fall victims, and become easy targets to deception. Lured by evil scheming, become sceptics and consequently lose our faith. When we face troubles, calamities and persecution, if our faith remains shallow, we might blame God and others. Gradually, we might rely more on our own strength, wisdom and understanding and fall away from trusting God.
How then shall we grow our faith? The early church in Acts is an example of numerical and spiritual growth. Paul and Timothy taught and encouraged them. Acts 16:5, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” The word of God remains the prime mover to strengthen our faith. We may or may not realize how God’s words through pulpit preaching, Small Groups, Christian Education and other various ministries have helped to build and strengthen our faith.
Another great way of spiritual growth as Lee Strobel expressed, “If you want to increase your own faith, then share your faith with others. As you do, you’ll be playing a role in the great redemptive drama that God is unfolding around the globe.” I find it very true, when we share with non-Christians, we will be challenged to sharpen our knowledge, our understanding, our faith and methods of evangelism.
I would like to encourage you to keep growing in faith, for there will be times we might be spiritually stagnant. Don’t be like the ‘Dead Sea’, where the water flows in but doesn’t go out. If you have been learning for many years, perhaps it is time to give and share. Do speak to the Lord about taking up the role of teaching or leading a small group and witnessing for the Lord. Your faith will grow by leaps and bounds and your spiritual life will be filled with life and vibrancy. May the Lord bless you and multiply your joy of growing in faith.