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Add to Your Faith
Let me ask you a very simple question. How is your faith? Is it getting stronger or becoming weak? It is times like these that can threaten one to become spiritually weak especially when dealing with all the uncertainties faced from COVID 19, racial inequality, politics, financial problems, being unable to attend church etc…difficult times will cause you to test your faith. Professionally, I have seen many patients during the past several months who are experiencing stress/anxiety/depression stemming from their current life situations. Their faith is being tested. Some are losing their patience, which in turn, is causing them to examine how to cope with the unknown. Most of us like order and routine schedules. Well, this has changed for all of us. I hate wearing a mask, don’t you? Who likes to live life in fear and worry? Will our lives return back to being normal? Will it ever be normal again?
I do have an answer for you. Keep the faith. Your faith is what led you to Christ. You obviously had to believe that committing your life to Him would be worth it in the end. Being baptized was just the beginning. Being a Christian is a life long process that requires a lot of dedication and devotion. It is not easy. It’s hard work. If you become weak in your faith, you could stumble. This could be very costly to your soul. You must show that you care and are conscientious in your work or duties.
Adding to your faith will allow you to accomplish this. You know by reading Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” You are encouraged to grow in Christian virtues. Second Peter 1:5-11 tells you “…applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self control, and in your self control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
You may need to work on one of these qualities more than another. For a lot of Christians self-control, temperance and perseverance/patience can be a struggle. Be careful of the misuse of the tongue since that can quickly get you into trouble. Do not become enslaved to any activity that will diminish your love or activity for God. Impulses, desires, mood, emotions, food, drink, and spending all require self -control.
Do you throw in the towel when hard times come your way? Do you take the easy way out or welcome tough times? Be patient. Are you trying to be exemplary in your choices or actions? Do you have the heart and appetite for things that are excellent, good and pure? Are you giving your best?
Are you reading the Scriptures about how to live a Christian life and growing daily in God’s word? Ignorance is not bliss. Learn more and add knowledge to your faith.
Are you devoted to God and have a healthy fear for Him? Are you self-centered or God-centered? If you give time to God, He will give you a lot of time with Him. Show godliness.
Are you considerate of others? Do you try to show brotherly kindness by showing honor, respect and goodwill, or are you easily annoyed by others? Do you show a love that is expecting nothing in return? It’s easy to love your friends and family but how about your enemies or the lost?
I hope that during these past several weeks/months you have not started to show spiritual atrophy. You must always take the steps daily to walk towards God and not away from Him. It takes effort. There is nothing magical once you put on Christ that gives you these qualities. He wants you to grow in Him. Add these qualities to your faith and increase your love for Him. Remember Phil 4:13,” I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Don’t become weak or lazy. Add to your faith. You’ll be glad you did. Entering the eternal kingdom will be worth it.
