Signs of Growing Faith
In the soil in plastic cups in mid-March, I plant tiny tomato seeds. They germinate and grow under lights in my basement. I transplant them outside around May 10th when they are about twelve inches tall.
They continue to grow. They produce blossoms. Small green tomatoes appear. They increase in size. They begin to ripen in July. I start picking them mid-July.
Faith is similar. Faith’s seed is God’s living, eternal word (1 Peter 1:23) planted in the soil of our hearts. God intends that growing faith will bear lasting fruit (John 15:16).
Not like tomatoes which eventually rot if they aren’t eaten or processed. But eternal fruit and changed lives of people in our webs of relationships and beyond through our influence.
So, what are the signs of growing faith? Faith varies a lot. Some are young in faith and others mature (1 John 2:13) Some are full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith (Acts 11:24). But the faith of others, like a mirage, is counterfeit (2 Timothy 3:8). As fish are associated with water, genuine faith has associations.
Growing love demonstrates flourishing faith (Galatians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). Love pours from a pure heart, clear conscience, and genuine faith (1 Timothy 1:5). Self-sacrificial love (1 Corinthians 13) and patience are the fish in the waters of sound faith (Titus 2:2). So are generosity (Philemon 1:6), listening to God (Hebrews 4:2), and not showing favoritism (James 2:1).
Living, and saving faith produces good deeds (James 2:14, 17, 18, 24; 2 Thessalonians 1:11), demonstrating that we are right with God. Serving well makes us more confident in the faith (1 Timothy 3:13). By contrast, Wrong behavior denies true faith (1 Timothy 5:8).
Faith should lead to knowing the truth and living a godly life (Titus 1:1). Faith should be visible through our patience, love, and endurance (2 Timothy 3:10). Jesus is watching us and looking for these qualities (Revelation 2:19).
Marching in faith’s parade are moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, joy, and love (Philippians 1:25; 2 Peter 1:5–7).
Those with faith in God talk about it (2 Corinthians 4:13). Christians testify about their faith in Jesus (Revelation 19:10). #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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