If you feel like your faith is weak, then here’s a great way to strengthen it and it starts with daily reading of the Bible.
What is Faith?
[1]Faith is having trust in something or someone, and in the believer’s case, their faith is placed in Jesus Christ. This faith was a free gift from God (Eph 2:8-9) so that the believer can share the gospel here on earth through good works (Eph 2:10). We can’t earn faith because it is a gift. Did you get a birthday present last year? Did you really do anything to deserve it? Were you responsible for your birth? Was the time of your birth your choice? Of course it is no to all of these questions. If the grace of God is a free gift, it means we can’t earn it nor did we deserve it. Its God’s mercy on us who trust in Jesus Who bore our sins upon Himself. We trust in the finished work of Christ, not in our own efforts or works, although the believer does do works. We are not saved by works but saved for works, but faith is a free gift of God, so even our faith was initiated by God (Rom 8; Eph 1). I have faith in the bridge I drive over, even though I’ve never inspected it or looked underneath it. I trust it because it’s proved faithful time and again, but more so do I trust Jesus Christ alone to save me. I trust Him more than any bridge, for He is the Creator of all things.
“Help My Unbelief!”
When Jesus’ disciples failed to cast out a demon, the boy’s father came to Jesus, pleading for help. In a rebuke, Jesus said, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me” (Mark 9:19). Then, “Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood” (Mark 9:21). That’s when “Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). Did this man have faith in Christ? Did he truly believe or did he have doubts? The man did believe, but was still weak in the faith, so “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)! Unbelief is the same as not believing, so perhaps the man’s faith was so weak that he asked the Lord for help to strengthen his faith in the Lord. We can do that too. When you feel your faith weakening, pray to the Lord to strengthen your faith or “help [your] unbelief.” I know you believe, but when crisis’ comes, do we truly, genuinely believe God is still in control on His throne (Rom 8:28)? That’s a mark that you do believe in all His promises.
[2]We must remember to pray with faith.
Feelings Over Facts
How often I have heard people doubt their salvation. Many times people say that “I feel like I’m lost and God has forsaken me” or “I feel like I am too far gone and God has probably given up on me.” Here is what’s wrong with these statements. They are ranking feelings over facts. Someone might feel this way or that, but what is the truth? They might feel like they were once saved, but now, they feel as lost as ever. The Bible says that the saved stay saved (1 John 2:19) and that we cannot lose what we did not first gain in the first place (Eph 2:8-9). Who or what can keep us separated from our God (Rom 8:37-39; John 6:37-44, 10:27-38)? When we say we feel like this or that, we must check that feeling at the door when we are reassured from Scripture. I would rather follow someone to a town I’ve never been to who has been there than from someone who feels like it may be this way or that way. Don’t depend on feelings. Feelings are the shallowest part of human wisdom or understanding. Check the map. Our map for life is the Bible. Get into the Bible every day and the Bible will get into you, and your faith will rest in facts and not in feelings.
The Sanctuary of the Word
[3]“…faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”
The best way to strengthen your faith is to get into the Word of God, the Bible. Having a daily Bible reading plan is essential to fortifying your faith. The more you read the trusted promises of God in Scripture, the more you can rest in the hands of His precious promises (Rom 8; Eph 1; 1 Pet 1). The more you avoid Scripture, the harder it is to get back to it. It’s like attending church. You miss one Sunday and it’s easier to miss the next, and the next, and after you know it, you don’t even attend anymore. Don’t let that happen to your worship (Heb 10:24-25) or to your Bible study and reading. You do understand that “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17), so nurture, strengthen, and increase your faith by increasing and strengthening your daily Bible reading plan.
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: What Does the Bible Say About Faith? A Christian Study [4]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.