Focus: Growing Faith

Text: 2Thes.1:3

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth."

Faith is meant to grow once you have received it. Paul tells us that "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom.12:3). We are either saved by faith or condemned without it. Faith is the divine law by which we lead our lives.

The apostles help us underscore the necessity of a growing faith when they asked the Lord Jesus Christ to increase their faith. Faith grows both by prayer and by practice. Paul testifies about faith of Christ's followers in Rome, and says to them, "Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (Rom.1:8). Their faith is like wildfire, spreading everywhere. I describe their faith as the fame of faith. Their faith grew in power and popularity.

The believer moves from the place of no faith to faith, and from the place of faith to mighty faith.

Jesus Christ encountered the faith of a Roman centurion. Matthew writes, "When Jesus HEARD it, he MARVELLED, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found SO GREAT FAITH, no, not in Israel" (Mt.8:10). A Roman military commander demonstrated an unprecedented faith in Israel, and Christ was awed by it. He called it "so great faith." Christ heard of the man's faith, meaning that faith speaks. Paul says, "Wherefore I also, after I HEARD of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints" (Eph.1:15). Faith can be heard; it has a voice. It speaks, and people hear. Paul says to another church, "Since we HEARD of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints" (Col.1:4). 

Faith is never meant to be deaf and dumb. It can be seen, heard, felt, and touched.

Paul tells a church that "in every place your faith to God-ward is SPREAD ABROAD…" (1Thes.1:8). Faith has capacity to spread and branch out to new frontiers. Paul says again, "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us GOOD TIDINGS OF YOUR FAITH and charity…" (1Thes.3:6). Faith is good news to the ears. Faith produces good and glad tidings.

Faith is a living thing, and it grows. To a certain woman who also demonstrated a feisty faith, Christ said, "O woman, GREAT IS THY FAITH: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour" (Mt.15:28). Our text makes it clear that faith has the capacity to grow exceedingly. Growing faith produces greater and mightier effects.

Faith can be seen in its operations. Mark writes, "When Jesus SAW their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Matthew reports the same thing like this, "Jesus SEEING their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Mk.2:5; Mt.9:2). 

Oftentimes, what God does or doesn't do around you is dependent on what He sees in you - either your faith or your unbelief.

God wants to see your faith developing deep roots and bearing good fruits. He wants to see you rooted and grounded in faith - firmly established in the faith. He wants to see the growth, solidity and steadfastness of your faith. Let your faith grow exceedingly! Use your faith! Exercise it! Put it to work by obeying God's instructions! Act on the word of God! Don't keep your faith under lock and key! Padlocked faith cannot grow. Starve your doubts and feed your faith! Grow your faith by taking bold steps! Rise above your fears!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter