For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned (Romans 12:3, ESV).
Can we grow in faith?
If trials continue to increase in the end times with both intensity and frequency, if we have more plagues, wars, and frequent Satanic attacks – but faith is our shield – then I hope that I can grow in faith!
Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil (Ephesians 6:16, NLT).
The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8 that faith is a gift.
With my inadequacies, I find peace knowing that I don’t have to be found worthy of faith because God gives it to me! I constantly find myself in situations where I need more faith, and I’m in good company as the apostles also asked Jesus to increase their faith.
But do our efforts help grow our faith?
In Romans 12:3, we find the phrase “measure of faith.”
A measure is something that can be emptied and then filled again. And Scripture teaches our measure can be increased as this “measure” is not static like a scoop that we use nightly for a snack of ice cream.
This measure can be enlarged – trouble for diets if our “scoop” for ice cream gets larger, but it’s desired with faith!
Luke writes …
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:38, ESV).
I find hope that what stymies my faith today, can be overcome by increased faith tomorrow!
Let’s begin with meditating in God’s Word because faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17) and let’s add praying, as the book of Jude states we build our faith by praying in the Spirit (Jude v. 20).
Let me add two helpful disciplines …
First: Have fellowship with those who are growing in faith.
Matthew 18 teaches two believers in agreement can bind evil and let loose heavenly forces. I pray that those that I associate with will grow in faith as their “measure of faith” helps or hinders my faith.
Second: Have courage to follow Jesus into difficult situations.
The book of James in chapter one teaches that testing produces a perfect faith lacking nothing.
Walking with Jesus leads to difficulties and persecution. God sends regular assignments and through obedience our measure of faith grows. But we mustn’t shrink from the task.
I need an increased measure of faith. We all do!
Jesus is willing! Let’s ask.