| WEDNESDAY | April 8 |
Growing in Faith
Faith will increase if, when brought in contact with doubts and obstacles, we press on ahead, claiming the promises of God regardless of how we might feel at any given moment or regardless of how hostile the circumstances might be. Faith is more than a feeling; it’s a principle that transcends the fickleness of human emotions. Faith is doing what we know God asks us to do even though we don’t feel like doing it.
If you are growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will improve every privilege and opportunity to gain more knowledge of the life and character of Christ; that is, you will do everything you can to grow in grace and increase in faith.
Faith in Jesus will grow as you become better acquainted with Him. This can happen by dwelling upon His life and love. You cannot dishonor God more than to profess to be His disciple while keeping yourself at a distance from Him.
What challenge did Peter hold out to the believers? 2 Pet. 3:18.
How had the church in Thessalonica lived up to that challenge? 2 Thess. 1:3.
And how does the “shield of faith” help you to grow spiritually? How does faith relate to the rest of the “armour of God” as described in Ephesians 6:10–18?
The goal of the Christian is to become “mature” in faith. This is a lifelong process. While we experience the blessing of growth and “stand firm in the faith” (1 Cor. 16:13, NIV), we may at times wonder why others are still “weak” (Rom. 14:1). There is often a tendency to forget that it also has taken most of us a considerable time before we arrived at where we are today spiritually. But whatever our reaction may be, it never should be one of pride and judgment (1 Cor. 10:12). God is the One who makes every seed of faith sprout, and He also is to be credited for any growth that takes place in our spiritual life. Yet, while that is a truth that never must be forgotten, we also must remember that by our personal choices we can help create the right kind of environment in which spiritual growth can take place.
| Are there associations you have, places you visit, or certain kinds of media you expose yourself to that negatively impact faith? If so, how willing are you to give them up? The answer depends on how important your faith really is to you. |
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