Luke 17:5

THE GROWTH OF FAITH

‘Lord, Increase our faith.’

Luke 17:5

Whatever admits of increase must have degrees. Faith is a ladder with many and long ascents. And yet the very highest, compared to what it might be, is as nothing. But faith, like every other grace, is a thing which has, in its own nature, a necessity to grow, and which certainly and steadily increases, if only we do not wilfully hinder it, and if we use the appointed means for its progress.

What are the conditions of its growth?

I. Reading the Word.—St. Paul lays it down absolutely that ‘faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’ It was an age when there was no printing, and therefore there were very few or no books. Therefore the communication of truth was almost entirely by word of mouth. We should, perhaps, be more correct in the intention of that verse if we say: ‘Faith cometh by reading,’ not to the exclusion of hearing—God forbid!—but besides hearing, faith cometh by reading, by the diligent and close and constant prayerful reading, ‘and reading by the Word of God.’ But whether it be by preaching or by reading, it is equally the Word of God which is the instrument and channel of faith. The conclusion is evident: whoever would increase his faith must be a regular and painstaking reader of his Bible. But everything depends upon how he reads it.

II. Considering the wondrous work of Christ.—Place yourselves in holy fancy at the foot of His cross; look up into that meek, suffering, loving Face; see those precious wounds; hear Him say, ‘It is for you; it is for you.’ Feel that blood washing out your sins! What can faith want more? What has not that death purchased? Must not faith grow when it lives in that atmosphere?

III. Observing and watching the experiences of prayer.—Look at every answer to your prayers, and note them down in your mind when they come. Be constantly picking up the returning arrow which you shot into the skies. Almost every day you will find another and another and another seal of prayer, and faith seeing those seals, will learn to ask more and more confidently, and so faith will grow by watching the experiences of prayer.

Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustration

‘There is in this church many a child of God who has faith, real faith, and as yet that faith is very small, and therefore the peace is broken, joy is shaded, and life is clouded. Let me put you on your guard. We are generally apt to pray for the beginning of what is good more and more earnestly than we pray for the continuance and the increase of what is good. And yet it wants as much, perhaps more to go on and grow, than ever it did to set out. Without it the best and holiest thing will go down and down, even as a stone gravitates to the earth. And yet in the things of God whatever lives grows, and whatever grows not, dies.’