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Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (2 Peter 3:18, ESV).
Growing never stops. The prophet Zephaniah warns about complacent faith in the end times …
I’ll search through every closet and alley in Jerusalem. I’ll find and punish those who are sitting it out, fat and lazy, amusing themselves and taking it easy, Who think, “God doesn’t do anything, good or bad. He isn’t involved, so neither are we.” But just wait. They’ll lose everything they have (Zephaniah 1:12-13, MSG).
We grow or we wilt and become lukewarm. Have you come to the place where, because of difficulty or failure, sitting it out seems the best option?
I’ve learned three things to increase the temperature of my faith.
First: Walk in faith!
I’ve listened to brothers and sisters say, “I’m praying for brokenness,” or “I want to be humble.” My response, “Don’t pray for that; it’s negative praying. Ask God to reveal your next step of faith. Believe me, walking in faith will have the side effect of brokenness and keeping you humble, but also the blessing of moving forward, not just sitting around waiting to be broken.”
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that we walk by faith and not by sight, so by obediently taking steps in faith, our inadequacies and fears reveal themselves quickly, but then the growth and victory come.
What is your next step of faith?
Second: Ask to be filled with the Spirit!
About 10 times in the Book of Acts, the apostles and individual believers were described as being filled with the Spirit …
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11:24, ESV).
But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him (Acts 13:9).
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).
Knowing the importance of the Spirit, Paul said to all of us in Ephesians 5:18, “Be filled with the Spirit.” It’s something that we can do. Since the reception of the Spirit depends upon our faith (not works), I begin each day by asking God to “Fill me with the Spirit today.”
Have you asked to be filled with the Spirit today?
Third: Live in peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).
I almost said, “Live in grace,” with grace being the distinctive doctrine of Christianity (all other religions teach works), but the signatory mark of grace is peace. And whereas it’s difficult to tell if we are living in grace, it’s easy to know if we have peace.
Every action, thought, and attitude should be asked one question, “Will this take away my peace?” Amid a decision, go off to the side for a moment and discern the peace of the situation. If you sense disquiet in your soul, wait and pray.
Through peace we know God’s will. Do you ask before decisions, “Does this give me peace?”
That’s it. Three things I continue to learn — faith, the Spirit, and peace!