by Pastor Wendall Ward
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we have experienced salvation as a gift “by grace through faith”. We are now being led by the Holy Spirit as He develops and deepens faith within us. Growing spiritually is an ongoing journey of faith, requiring intentional focus on key aspects of our relationship with God. Here are three essential understandings of faith that foster healthy spiritual development:
A Developing Faith Starts As A Faith That Saves
Saving faith is a faith that turns away in repentance from the old life that does not serve God. Then turning towards a new life provided in Christ through his gospel. This faith is foundational. It is “the (abiding) assurance of things hoped for, and the (tangible) conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). It is through this faith that we embrace the gospel, receiving the righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 1:16-17 that this faith is the starting block of a “race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). This faith that will last throughout our earthly journey in Christ “from start to finish”:
“I am not ashamed of this Good News (gospel) about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes, the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News (gospel) tells us how God makes us right in his sight. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED FROM START TO FINISH BY FAITH. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” NLT
About this saving faith Jesus said in John 3:1-5 that it is the “born again experience” that opens our eyes to the kingdom of heaven. Which enables us to enter into the threshold of its spiritual reality.
A Developing Faith Continues As A Sanctifying Faith
Next, sanctifying faith is about continuing to walk with Christ daily, being rooted and built up in Him. As Colossians 2:6-7 exhorts, “just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord, we are to CONTINUE LIVING IN HIM, BEING STRENGTHENED IN FAITH and overflowing with thankfulness.” This faith moves us off the “starting block” into the continuing journey of trusting in God’s promises. Promises found in God’s Holy Word, and the kingdom he is advancing on the earth. This faith has brought us to experiencing the truth of God’s promises. It also has developed a trust in the Holy Spirit to transform us more-and-more into the likeness of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
A Developing Faith Is Ultimately Understood As A Faith Supplied To Us
Finally, Galatians 2:20 explains this principle as the faith supplied by the Son of God. We see this when we apply the cross completely to our lives. And also when we are dead to self and alive to Christ and HIS will.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh (this body) I live by THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (KJV).
The Apostle Paul is telling us that faith is not self-generated by the believer but supplied by Christ Himself. Many translations say “faith in Christ” but the preposition “of” is used in the original text. The word “of” represents a source or supply. The crucified life has now brought us to the recognition that it is Christ that lives and faiths in us. This deepened understanding brings us to a more complete trust and rest in him. While it also enables us to wait on him beyond his promises. Even to the point of trusting in his person and character to do in us and for us according to his good pleasure “TO ACCOMPLISH INFINITELY MORE THAN WE MIGHT ASK OR THINK.”
Paul Speaks Of Faith That Is Supplied
Paul summed up this supplied faith in this prayer for the Church at Ephesus:
“I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And MAY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO UNDERSTAND, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. THEN YOU WILL BE MADE COMPLETE WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF LIFE AND POWER THAT COMES FROM GOD. NOW ALL GLORY TO GOD, WHO IS ABLE, THROUGH HIS MIGHTY POWER AT WORK WITHIN US, TO ACCOMPLISH INFINITELY MORE THAN WE MIGHT ASK OR THINK. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:14-21).
God Is Leading Us Into a Greater Maturity
In conclusion, by embracing these three essentials; saving faith, sanctifying faith, and supplied faith, we can experience vibrant and healthy spiritual growth as followers of Jesus Christ. Each aspect deepens our dependence on and understanding of God that will shape our spiritual journey. In the end it is leading us into greater maturity and the resting confidence of “Christ in us.”
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