In our last study we noted things that will take more faith (trust in God) to handle, things that should cause us, along with the disciples, to say, "Lord, increase our faith." Receiving instruction, especially instruction we do not like, repeatedly forgiving the same person for the same sin, enduring persecution and affliction, and dealing with scoffers and division among the disciples all take a stronger faith than ordinary, everyday life. But, every one of those things will also build us up and make us stronger when we handle them successfully. Isn't that interesting?
What else might help us to increase our faith? God did not leave us floundering around without help, and we do not have to go far in the scriptures to find the answer. Just look at many of those same passages we looked at in Part 1.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing (2Thess 1:3). If anything can make our faith grow, it is the tender love and care of our brothers and sisters. Knowing that no matter what may happen, someone cares, you can increase one's strength to make it through the darkest days. When a congregation is not close, those things will not happen, and you will see a decline that eventually leads to the death of the group if nothing changes.
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 20-21). Prayer should be our foremost weapon. No matter how strong we are, no matter how convinced of our faith and commitment, if it is not accompanied by prayer, how can it stand against Satan and his weapons? It is through our reliance upon God that we achieve the victory, and that reliance is best shown through our prayer life. Only the self-reliant avoid prayer, and self is useless in a spiritual battle.
And why is this so important? What good will increasing faith lead to? Go back through all the passages we have looked at in this and the last post one more time, and you will find them. Increasing faith will lead to: a) Acts 16:5—increasing numbers in the church; b) 2 Cor 10:15—a larger ministry; c) 2 Thes 1:3,4—increased love and endurance in trials; d) Jude 20—eternal life.
Kind of amazing how much you can pull out of the same passages, isn't it? That's what happens when you do more than just read over them quickly. Pay attention to what is in them, tear them apart, find categories and chart them. If you want to know how I study, and several have asked, those are the basics right there. And in the study, find the things you can use in a practical way to improve your walk as a Christian. It really works.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2Thess 1:11-12).
Dene Ward
What else might help us to increase our faith? God did not leave us floundering around without help, and we do not have to go far in the scriptures to find the answer. Just look at many of those same passages we looked at in Part 1.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing (2Thess 1:3). If anything can make our faith grow, it is the tender love and care of our brothers and sisters. Knowing that no matter what may happen, someone cares, you can increase one's strength to make it through the darkest days. When a congregation is not close, those things will not happen, and you will see a decline that eventually leads to the death of the group if nothing changes.
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 20-21). Prayer should be our foremost weapon. No matter how strong we are, no matter how convinced of our faith and commitment, if it is not accompanied by prayer, how can it stand against Satan and his weapons? It is through our reliance upon God that we achieve the victory, and that reliance is best shown through our prayer life. Only the self-reliant avoid prayer, and self is useless in a spiritual battle.
And why is this so important? What good will increasing faith lead to? Go back through all the passages we have looked at in this and the last post one more time, and you will find them. Increasing faith will lead to: a) Acts 16:5—increasing numbers in the church; b) 2 Cor 10:15—a larger ministry; c) 2 Thes 1:3,4—increased love and endurance in trials; d) Jude 20—eternal life.
Kind of amazing how much you can pull out of the same passages, isn't it? That's what happens when you do more than just read over them quickly. Pay attention to what is in them, tear them apart, find categories and chart them. If you want to know how I study, and several have asked, those are the basics right there. And in the study, find the things you can use in a practical way to improve your walk as a Christian. It really works.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2Thess 1:11-12).
Dene Ward
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