There is an old German proverb that had as its purpose, bringing overly optimistic people back to reality. It suggests that there are natural limits to growth and improvement. This expression implies that things in life reach a maximum rate of return, above which they’re not able to achieve any greater height or potential output. All you can do at that point is maintain, while trying to keep it from falling.
Faith, however, is not one of those things. Those that truly believe that God is true to His word are usually some of the most optimistic of all people. If you happen to be one of those that is eager to fully invest in your faith, then there is good news for you! Faith in God doesn’t peak and even the sky is not the limit. Our faith can just keep on going, getting stronger, and growing provided that we are planting and cultivating in the prescribed manner. Here are three ways to accomplish this:
The Bible. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Each Sunday there are great men of God proclaiming the Holy Scriptures in churches all across our land. But these sermons are not meant to be the sum total of our weekly spiritual diet. It is meant to be that which motivates us to make the Bible an everyday regimen. Multitudes of believers are spiritually malnourished due to attempting to live their lives on mere weekly biblical snacks.This is draining them of the sustenance necessary to grow their faith. The result – weak faith! We should seek out a quiet place and bury ourselves in the pages of the Bible until we sense that our faith is being nourished.
Fellowship. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Every time I am in an uplifting conversation with a fellow believer, I walk away a little stronger in my faith than before. In Romans 1:12, Paul was writing about going to Rome where he would meet with the church there. He expressed excitement since his hope was, “that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Today, we all should be enthusiastic about meeting together in bible study for the same purpose.
God’s house. Too many believers treat the church as if they only need it sporadically. But our faith is strengthened through church attendance and becomes more vibrant and alive than when we do not attend. God has designed His house to be a place where we gather every week for renewal and refreshment, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
If you are sensing that your faith has weakened, take your concern to God asking Him to reveal which of these may be missing in your life. He may show you that one or all of these vital ingredients may be at least somewhat lacking. Strong faith is not just for others. Christ desires that we all experience a bold, exhilarating, world-changing faith that reaches the very heavens.
Remember that “without faith, it is impossible to please God!” Hebrews 10:32