Faith, growth in

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Christians are called to have a growing faith, built up by prayer and the encouragement of others, and also through testing.

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Examples of growing faith

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB95

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

Weak faith

Weak faith rebuked

Matthew 6:28–30 NASB95

“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

See also Mt 8:26; Mt 14:31; Mt 16:8; Mt 17:20

Other examples of weak faith

Jn 12:42–43; Jn 19:38; Ro 14:1–2; 1 Co 8:1–13

Strong faith

Strong faith commended and encouraged

Hebrews 10:22 NASB95

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

See also Mt 8:10; Mt 9:20–22; Mt 15:28

The faith of OT leaders

1 Ki 18:3 Obadiah; 2 Ki 18:5 Hezekiah

The faith of Christian leaders

1 Ti 4:12; Heb 13:7

See also Ac 6:5 Stephen; Ac 11:24 Barnabas; 2 Ti 3:10 Paul

Paul’s encouragements to Timothy:

1 Ti 6:11; 2 Ti 2:22

Other examples of strong faith

Habakkuk 3:17–18 NASB95

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

See also Job 13:15; Job 19:25–27; Mt 14:35–36; 2 Co 8:7; Col 2:5–7

The growth of faith

Praying for more faith

Luke 17:5 NASB95

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

The encouragement of others

2 Ch 32:7–8; 1 Th 3:10

See also Nu 14:6–9; Lk 22:32; Ac 14:22; Ro 1:11–12; 1 Th 3:2–3; Jud 20

Faith strengthened through testing

Romans 4:18–21 NASB95

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.