Grow Your Faith
Before I pick ripe tomatoes, I must spend weeks fertilizing, watering, and weeding my tomato plants. Likewise, we have responsibilities to produce lasting fruit.
We can’t just sit down, prop our feet, sip a cold drink, and expect God to handle everything. We must pursue faith (1 Timothy 6:11), like bargains in the market. Faith requires our full attention.
We must stand firm in the faith and be courageous and strong in the rocking boat of life’s ups and downs (1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:24). We must maintain our faith in Jesus (Revelation 14:12) as we do our homes and vehicles.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him to show them how to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). The key is maintaining a vital connection with Him. “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 (Colossians 2:7 NLT). That’s how we remain in Him (John 15:4).
Grow Others’ Faith
Faith isn’t a private matter like personal finances. If we only care about our faith, it’s probably stillborn. That’s not biblical faith.
Paul worked to safeguard the faith of others (Philippians 3:1). “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours” (Romans 1:12 NLT).
Help people live a life of faith in God (1 Timothy 1:4). How? “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT). Build each other up in the most holy faith (Jude 1:20).
The Bible refers, not to individuals, but to churches that were strong in the faith. Such churches grew (Acts 16:5). The Ephesian, Colossian, and Thessalonian churches were described as strong in the faith (Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:7). The Roman Christians’ faith in Jesus was talked about all over the world (Romans 1:8).
Defend the Faith
The Gospel is a message about faith and truth (1 Timothy 2:7). Truth matters. What we believe matters a lot. Ground yourself in the truth. Then defend it (Jude 1:3).
Some upset others’ faith by teaching error (Romans 16:17). Those who understand the gospel are anchored solidly against the pull of the current of the river of false teaching. They won’t drift away with it. Instead, they fight for the true faith (1 Timothy 6:12) in the army of believers (Philippians 1:27). #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free devotional, evangelism, and discipleship resource. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,400 people to faith in Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 4,093 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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