“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” I Thessalonians 1:3
Child of God: I noticed that not only did the love the Thessalonian Christians had for each other increase, but Paul also said their faith was growing. That’s what I’d like this New Year — more faith.
Father God: That is a worthy desire… are you sure this is what you want?
Child: Honestly, I’m not sure. The great heroes of faith were asked to do some difficult things: “Leave your home and go to a land I will show you”; “Believe you will be a father of nations when you and your wife are too old to have a baby”; “Sacrifice your only son… the son of promise.” If this is the way a person’s faith increases, I’m hesitant.
Father: So you don’t really trust me? Faith is about knowing me… which is why it is so important. Do you realize that Jesus walked by faith? He trusted me completely and did only what his Father showed him to do. The disciples witnessed his bold living and said, “Lord, increase our faith.”
Child: Yes, and then he told them that if they had only mustard seed sized faith, they could move mountains. Jesus always challenged people to have more faith… and I know we have the same need.
Father: So are you willing to trust me? To enter my Kingdom, a person humbles himself as a child and puts faith in my Son. My children believe the impossible… just as Abraham did. The Son of God came in the flesh; He took all sin upon himself and died on the cross; He was buried; and He was raised from the dead on the third day. If you believe I’ve accomplished everything in Jesus, you are standing in my grace… now simply obey your King.
Child: This is the Good News. Thank you for saving us!
Father: I’ve saved you and I’ve given the Holy Spirit so my children will grow up into the likeness of my Son. Every child has been given a race to run. The better you know me, the better you’ll run your race. Faith is about trusting who I am and what I can do. Abraham put his son on the altar because he knew I made a promise that I would not break. Even if Isaac was killed, Abraham believed I could raise him from the dead. I am love; I can do all things; I can be trusted.
Child: So I guess the apostle Paul came to a point where he truly did believe he could do all things through Christ.
Father: Yes, but he came to that place of faith by simply walking with the One who saved him… the One who gave him strength. Do not make faith complicated, my child. Walk with the One who saved you. Jesus is the author and perfecter of your faith. Keep your eyes on him this year and do everything he tells you to do. ‘Christ in you’ is your hope of glory… and your secret for growing in faith.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry bush, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17:5-6
Happy New Year!