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Christ’s desire for our steady growth – Part 2

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi
10 December 2017   |   2:20 am
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” God wants our spiritual growth to be visible, real and verifiable. If there is any area we need to grow, it ought to be in faith. Without growing faith in God, our service will not be pleasing to Him. When God called Abraham to go to a place where he would receive his inheritance, “by faith,” he obeyed implicitly and promptly, without argument, “not knowing whither he went.” His faith grew to the point he believed in the resurrection of the dead and looked forward to inheriting heaven.

We grow in faith when we proceed from being saved by faith to being justified by faith, sanctified by faith and baptised in the Holy Ghost by faith. Thereafter, we begin to live by faith, accept healing of sicknesses and diseases by faith and are generally victorious in life by faith. With faith, we overcome the temptations, trials and challenges that upset our lives. Christ has prepared us to overcome all the schemes of the devil. Therefore, ministers and members should not abandon their ministry because of the troubles in their local church. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

We must stand courageously and firmly, with conviction and faith and not allow anyone to take our place of service for the Lord because of discouragement and weakness. The Lord wants us to “walk by faith, not by sight.” If we concentrate on dazzling sights, we would not do what He calls us to do. Those who have been converted, but have not experienced growth in the faith, should begin to build up themselves using the promises of the word of God. They should also learn to resist the devil steadfastly so that they will not be defeated anymore.

As we grow in our spiritual life, the Lord expects us to sustain the following: one, our growth in unity. Unity is important in the church, family and our personal lives. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 

Two, our growth in faith (Ephesians 4:13). If we hear the word of God without applying and mixing it with faith in our hearts to receive such admonition, it profits nothing. Three, our growth in knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). There is a difference between knowledge about, and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Growing in the knowledge of the Lord entails knowing what Christ knows. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” When we have the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives are secured. 

Four, our growth in grace. As we grow in grace, the grace of God will be sufficient for every situation in our lives. And since “[God’s] grace is sufficient for [us], let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Further Reading (King James Version): 1 Peter 2:2; Isaiah 53:11; Ephesians 4:11-15; 2 Peter 3:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Job 23:12; Jeremiah 3:15; Proverbs 19:2; Jeremiah 23:4; Acts 20:28,32; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 11:6,8-10,17-19; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1,2; Hebrews 10:38,39; Acts 3:16; 26:18; 1 John 5:4; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8,9; Ephesians 4:13; 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:2,3; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 4:2; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16.

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