Increasing in faith – Part 2

Key verse:Luke 17:5: “And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith,” (KJV).

The men who comprised Jesus Christ’s close circle wanted a greater understanding of the meaning and workings of faith and that was why they asked their Master, Jesus, to increase their faith. They were saying, Lord, what kind of faith do you desire from us? Give us a revelation of the kind that pleases you. We want to grasp faith in its fullest meaning. This should also be the desire of every believer in Jesus Christ to grow in faith. Growing in faith is a process in our walk with God.

It is an ongoing project; one that never ends. Colossians 2:7 (NLT) says: “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Smith Wigglesworth once said: “How can one come to possess great faith? Now listen, here is the answer to that: first, the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. Faith must grow by soil, moisture, and exercise.”

To grow in faith, you feed your faith through the word of God. Kenneth Hagin said: “Faith begins where the will of God is known.” How do you know the will of God? It is by reading and studying the word of God. By reading your Bible and doing what it says you should do, that is how to increase in faith. Psalm 119:103 in the Message Bible says: “Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life.”

The word of God is like food that nourishes the soul. By feeding on the word, you never get to worry what next to do. The word of God is the seed of faith and as we plant it in our hearts, our faith increases.

Again, faith grows by exercise of faith. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The man who uses the little faith he has will get more faith. By many little additions a great house is built. Brick by brick up rose the pyramid. Another way of increasing faith is by prayer. Pray for faith and pray with faith; thus shall thy soul become firm in its reliance on the promises.Prayer is an act of faith in which we diligently seek God. Faith and prayer are inseparable. The Bible says in Matthew 21:22:

“Whatever ye shall ask in prayer, with faith, ye shall receive.” Our faith increases as we pray in faith.
Faith grows by obedience to God. We must be careful to render obedience to God. A man cannot trust God while he lives in sin: every act of disobedience weakens confidence in God. Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith. There is a blessed relationship between faith and obedience; and if you abound in obedience your faith shall grow exceedingly. Actively following God’s commands and living according to His word is a key way to strengthen and deepen one’s faith; essentially, obedience acts as a visible demonstration of genuine belief and trust in God.

• Today’s nugget: Feed your faith. Prayer: Lord helpme to increase in faith. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria