Increase our Faith

Peter Gregoric exhorts on faith - and some practical ways you can increase your faith.

…And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith… Luke 17:5.

Faith is very important. The Christian life begins with faith - and our walk with God requires faith. Like the apostles we can say Lord, increase our faith.

What is faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Everyone has faith in something. But what is the object of your faith? What are you trusting in?

Faith also means to trust - “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13.

The Bible plainly says that we’re justified by faith. We’re saved by putting our trust in the death, burial. and resurrection of Christ.

1 John 5:13, we can know for sure that we are saved. Most of the world don’t know that.
It’s a sad truth that most people don’t have that assurance that they know they’re saved. We have a great truth to tell them about, so let’s not hide that under a bushel!

Faith comes from God. They came to Jesus and asked him to increase their faith in Luke 17.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2. He is the one that starts and ends our faith. We’re saved by believing on him and he is able to see us through until we die.

Faith can grow. It is possible to increase your faith. The Bible tells us that our faith can grow.
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;” 2 Thess 1:3.
It’s exciting to see a Christian’s faith grow, and see them grow spiritually and get more involved with ministries in church. I thank God for people like that, wherever they’re at spiritually, they’re going forward, and growing.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2.
When my faith grows then that helps in all other areas of life. The more you grow in faith, the more godly you will become, and it will help you in every area of life.

How can we increase our faith?

Pray for more faith. “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5. Pray for increased faith. Make this request part of your daily prayers. Pray for help with unbelief. “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24.

The Word of God increases our faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Hearing the Bible and reading the Bible is so important to our Christian life.
When I give someone a Bible, I tell them to start reading the book of John. It is targeted to getting people to put their faith in Christ. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31.

Understand how faith works. “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Luke 17:6. Even a little bit of faith, when it’s placed on God, can do great things.

We’re saved by faith and God wants us to continue to walk by faith and please him. The Christian life isn’t easy, and God expects us to do things that are difficult by faith.

A lack of faith is evidenced by the absence of action. The presence of faith is proven by acts of faith. Do you have even a small amount of faith? Then see what God can do with that as you pray for more.

Fasting can help us grow our faith. The disciples couldn’t cast out this devil and asked Jesus why. Fasting is something that is quite special because it affects your body, spirit and soul. It’s something extra you can do to increase your prayer life. Fasting can humble us and this can help us to increase our faith. “…I humbled my soul with fasting...” Psalm 35:13.