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Does faith grow?
CEO:
Faith question
Does our individual faith grow?
Eph 2:8 Faith comes from God. God gives a measure of faith to each called. Rom 12:3. There are different degrees or amounts of faith-some have little faith Mt 8:26, others are full of faith Acts 6:5.
Paul exhorted the church at Corinth 2 Cor 10:15 and Thessalonica 1 Thess 3:10 to increase in faith. Does that mean more entering the assembly or more faith per person?
When the disciples were rebuked they asked Jesus to increase their faith, He changed the subject. Luke 17:5
Intrinsically I assume individual faith grows as our journey progresses. It starts as a seed and grows into a big plant. BUT I am having difficulty finding scripture to back this belief.
Does individual faith grow? Scripture?
Ask seeknock
Charles O
CEO:
Rodger
Good point.
What I mean is can we make our faith grow? God gives each a measure, if I want more faith will God increase the measure for me, or is it a set amount?
Charles
Kat:
Hi Charles,
Here are a few emails that may help with your question.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1710.0.html ---------
I would love to write a paper on "faith," but at present I am engrossed in several other projects. Let me "bottom line" it for you in a few statements.
Faith is the assurance that God's Word is Truth and that God will do all that He has promised. This assurance (faith) is a GIFT of God and cannot be obtained by any human endeavor (Eph. 2:8-9). Reading and hearing the Scriptures can increase your faith, BUT ONLY BECAUSE GOD SUPERNATURALLY GIVES YOU THAT FAITH AND ASSURANCE, as you read and hear. Through faith you will both know God's will and live God's will. You must go to God for faith--there is no other source of true spiritual faith and assurance of God's trustworthiness.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3037.0.html -----
Dear Littlebee: You remind me of the man in Mar 9:24 who said: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine UNBELIEF." We all are lacking in faith. Rom. 10:17 says, "Now faith comes from hearing, and hearing by THE WORD OF GOD." So keep in God's Word. Read and study it daily. But always remember that the faith you will receive is always "A GIFT FROM GOD" (Eph. 2:8-10).
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php?topic=3096.msg23129#msg23129 ---
ABSOLUTELY, there are things you "must do," Roy, but don't think for I second that it is YOU who are going to ORIGINATE all of that "doing." Yes, we MUST live by faith and not sight as Paul admonishes us, but how do we do that, where does that faith come from, etc., etc., etc?
It is ALL OF GOD. Faith to believe God, to believe in God, to believe His Word, must come FROM GOD (Eph. 2:08). It is a GIFT from God. We don't choose Christ, but rather He chooses us (John 15:16), and we do not come to Christ, but rather the Father drags us (John 6:44). And we do not produce spiritual fruit. Our spiritual fruit comes from another source than ourselves, it is the "fruit OF THE SPIRIT," that's the source.
So, is there something you can or must do now, or "next" as you say in order to ensure your calling and salvation, that you can or must do independent of God? No, of course not. It is all of God. All that you either do or don't do is based on the foreknowledge of God's sovereignty. God will make you sweat bullets before He is done with you, and you will think many times that if YOU don't come up with a solution, you will utterly fail, but in the final analysis, it will be God Who provided the solution THROUGH your bullet sweating.
Don't become discouraged in well-doing, for God will have the victory in you eventually.
God be with you,
Ray
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: CEO on January 10, 2009, 11:03:14 AM ---Rodger
Good point.
What I mean is can we make our faith grow? God gives each a measure, if I want more faith will God increase the measure for me, or is it a set amount?
Charles
--- End quote ---
Great answers from Rodger & Kat, I will add just a bit;
It seems you have something in common with the apostles Charles!
Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Then the Lord proceeds to give the parable of the mustard seed.....
A little from Paul & Peter;
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Peace,
Joe
Dave in Tenn:
Rom 1:17 ISV. For in it (the Gospel) God's righteousness is being revealed, from faith to faith, according as it is written, "The righteous will live by faith."
It's a great question, Charles. I think I smell either synapses firing or grass burning. :) God bless you.
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