How Bibilically can we increase our faith in God?
Hebrews 11;6 ‘’Without faith it is impossible to please God’’. Genesis 1:3 ‘’And God said let there be light, and there was light’
All things were made at the command of GOD. And faith is taking God at his word.
Oftentimes, we ask ourselves questions like how can we increase our faith in Christ?
In a world full of setbacks, many of us have staggered in our journey of faith. Some of us have fallen astray completely, and maybe we have concluded that God's things are hard to deal with. That is exactly what the devil wants.
According to Luke 17:5-10, the disciples said to Jesus ‘’Increase our faith’’
But even a small faith like the mustard seed is enough, it only needs to be nurtured.
Let's have a close look at Simon Peter, the disciple of Christ.
He was an adamant follower of Christ and one of Jesus’ best friends. But still, he struggled with faith. By nature, he was an impulsive man; he would hastily do his things, and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him.
He became a disciple of Jesus the very day Jesus called him to follow him. He loved Jesus deeply, was excited about how heaven would be, and was ready to take whatever it would take him for it to happen.
Peter had unrecognized weaknesses and ambitions. Matthew 14:28 He didn’t understand Jesus' mission and his purpose for him. Even when the night wasn’t over yet, he denies Jesus Luke 22:54-62 Mark 14:54, Matt 26:74, Luke 22;6. Peter wept bitterly; he had done what he said he would never do. Could he really be forgiven? John 21:1-19
The transformation of Simon Peter
Christ's resurrection and the pouring of the holy spirit transformed Peter's life. He learned to depend on God through prayers. His ministry was no longer for selfish gains but to fulfill the great commission according to John 21:15-17 ‘. When the holy spirit came upon them, Peter was no longer worried about his reputation as he had when he denied his rabbi. He now preached about Christ to the crowd and 3000 souls received salvation Acts 2:37-41
He healed a lame man acts 3. Preached boldly before the Sanhedrin the highest Jewish court acts 4. Was arrested times for preaching the gospel Acts 4;5:17-42
Healing a person with paralysis acts 9:32-35. Rising a woman to life acts 9;36-43
Being released by an angel after Herod imprisoned him Acts 12:1-9. Peter lived out his words dying a martyr death john 21:18-19
Peters's life shows us how our loving God is so patient with us, and he can change our lives to fully have faith in him.
When Peter loved himself and trusted his own agenda and expectations over God, he was disappointed. And this is how we, too, live our lives..The good news is that GOD is still patient with us as long as we keep walking towards him. He can do great things, just like he did with Peter.
Increasing our faith in God may not be a drastic process, like with apostle Simon Peter, his increase in faith was step by step as he walked with Christ himself and learned from him.
ANSWER: (What should we do to increase our faith?)
1. let's avail ourselves to Christ.
Peter immediately responded to Christ’s call to follow him, and through this, he came to understand who Christ really was and the purpose He had for him.
2. study the holy scriptures.
Romans10;17 2timothy 3;16-17 Luke 17;5, Psalms 1;1-3 Hebrews 11;6
3. Through prayer and fasting.
This is the only way we can speak to God and pour our hearts into him. Like the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, we should also ask God through prayer to increase our faith in him.
Matthew 21;22, Philippians 4;6, Mark 11;24, James 5;16
4. Repentance
When we have recognized our faults, and we are guilty of our sinfulness, let's come boldly to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. He is surely and always willing to forgive us. Acts 3;19, 1john 1;9, Matthew 4;17
Proverbs 28;13, Peter 3;9
5. Trusting in God's promises
Having our trust in God and his promises.
Proverbs 3;5-6, Jeremiah 29;11, Isiah 41;10, 26;3, Jeremiah 17;7-8, Romans 8;28, Joshua 1;9, Philippians 4;19, Proverbs 29;25, Philippians 4;6-7
6. Let's actively participate in doing God's work through sharing our faith with others, giving a helping hand to those in need, and fellowshipping with others. In this, we get to learn from our fellows how they have managed to keep their faith amidst the struggles of life.
Regardless of our backgrounds or occupations, God is ready to use us for his purpose and increase us in faith..The suffering of today is preparing us for what is to come. May God help us to increase our faith in him.
For more studies
Desire of ages pg 812.4 812.3 815.2 816.1 280.4
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