"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

We have been looking briefly at what Scripture has to tell us of faith and last week we ended with the above verse. In all the verses we have looked at there is the recognition that our faith is to grow. As we continue let's see what the Word tells us of growing in our faith.

Our opening verse gives every indication that faith is to grow in the Christian's life and will as trials and testings come. As they do and we stand fast, faith must indeed be enlarged!

Acts 14:22 tells us we are to continue is faith. Here Paul and Barnabas return to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to minister to believers, "Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" (Read Vs. 19-23)

Romans 4:20-21, speaking of Abraham, encourages the Believer to be strong in his/her faith, "He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform."

In 2 Corinthian 8:7, Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to continue growing and abounding, "But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also."

Paul speaking of Christ's preeminence in redemption in Colossians 1:19-23, we see in Vs. 21-23 that we are to be grounded in our faith, "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight--if indeed you continue in the faith grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard..."

Paul encouraging Timothy (and all Believers) to fight the good fight, "Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." 1 Timothy 1:19

In Luke 17:1-10 Jesus is teaching His disciples concerning...
stumbling blocks, forgiveness and faith. Vs. 5 says, "And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'"
Should not this be our continuous prayer? It reminds me of Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hungry and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."
Hungering and thirsting after righteousness, too, should our prayer.

Concerning faith and the Law, I will close with Paul's letter to the Galatians. My NKJV study Bible says of the Galatians, "The Galatians, having launched their Christian experience by faith, seem content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on
works-- a course Paul finds disturbing. His letter...is a vigorous attack against the gospel of works and a defense of the gospel of faith."

Galatians 3:19-26 is entitled "Law Given to Drive Us to Faith"
"What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Vs. 19 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. Vs. 21 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promises by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Vs. 22 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Vs. 23 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Vs. 24 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Vs. 25 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Vs. 26

We sing in our Fellowship,
"Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand.
Not by our human endeavor, but by the Blood of the Lamb.
Into Your presence You call us, You call us to come.
Into Your presence You draw us, Now by Your grace we come.
Now by Your grace we come."

Thank You Lord! How grateful we are for Your loving kindness and tender mercies! Amen