Growing in Faith

MEMORY VERSE: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” —I Corinthians 16:13

COLOSSIANS 1:9-14,19-23; HEBREWS 11:1

THE word “faith” is used in the Bible in two ways. Many times it refers to one’s ability to believe in things which cannot be discerned by the natural senses. It is thus that Paul used it when he wrote, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In our memory verse the word has a different connotation. When Paul wrote, “Stand fast in the faith,” he referred to our steadfast adherence to the doctrines of the Bible, described by Jude as “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” and as “your most holy faith.”—Jude 3,20

Jesus’ disciples besought him, “Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5) We of today should pray for increasing faith as day by day we seek to know and to do God’s will. In our memory verse we are admonished to “watch.” We should watch the providences of God in our lives. If we do this, and thus note the many wonderful ways in which he is leading and blessing us, our faith will grow, and we will rejoice more and more in the goodness of the Lord.

In our lesson Paul speaks of continuing “in the faith grounded and settled.” (vs. 23) Here the reference is to the system of doctrines which Jude describes as “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Paul identifies this faith with the “hope of the Gospel.” “Gospel” is another name given to the “most holy faith.” Concerning it Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”—Rom. 1:16

The word “Gospel” means good news, or glad tidings. This good news was announced briefly by the angel on the night that Jesus was born. (Luke 2:10) Paul informs us that it was “preached before … unto Abraham,” when God said to this faithful patriarch that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed. (Gal. 3:8; Gen. 22:18) Paul explains further that the promised Seed of Abraham through which the blessing of all nations is to come is Christ.—Gal. 3:16

Paul further explains that the faithful footstep followers of the Master are also looked upon by God as part of the promised seed of Abraham. (Gal. 3:27-29) Many suppose that one becomes a Christian simply to attain personal salvation, but the Bible teaches that true Christians will, together with Jesus, become the channel of salvation for all mankind.

Becoming a Christian in the true sense involves much more than merely giving assent to the fact that Jesus died for us, and being thankful that he did. Paul wrote, “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” (Phil. 1:29) Faithfulness in suffering for Christ leads to glory with him in his ruling kingdom. Paul wrote, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”—II Tim. 2:11,12

In the 13th verse of our lesson Paul speaks of our being translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. This does not imply that Christ’s kingdom was established in power and great glory at the time of his first advent. Here Paul is referring to those who have been called to joint-heirship in the kingdom as a kingdom class. They are called out of Satan’s kingdom, and through growth in faith and obedience to God’s will, are being prepared to live and reign with Christ for a thousand years, after being brought forth in the first resurrection.—Rev. 20:6

Just as it is important that we experience an increase in our personal faith, it is also essential that we grow in our understanding of the doctrines of the Bible upon which that faith is based—those doctrines which constitute “the Gospel of Christ,” the “most holy faith.” Increasing understanding of the doctrines will, in turn, help to increase our faith in those doctrines.

QUESTIONS

In what two senses is the word “faith” used in the Bible?

What is “the Gospel of Christ”?

Who constitutes the “Seed” of Abraham?

Does becoming a Christian involve more than believing in Jesus?

In what sense are Christians now in Christ’s kingdom?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |