THE GROWTH AND VERIFICATION OF SAVING FAITH

THE GROWTH AND VERIFICATION OF SAVING FAITH

                      It is possible and normal for faith to grow?   2 Thess. 1:3 "your faith groweth" - How? Cf. 1 Thess. 3:10 "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?"

                         In sense of increasing knowledge.

                                    2 Pet. 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.."
                                    2 Pet. 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
                                    2 Pet. 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
                                    2 Pet. 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
                                             -           believe more because know more
                                             -           no use to pray, "Increase our faith" if no growth in spiritual knowledge. Cf. Rom. 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
                                             -           Word "faith" or "believe" means to be persuaded about something.
                                    -              Phil. 1:25 "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith."  
                                     -             1 Thess. 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
                                     -             1 Tim. 4:6 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."

                         In sense of increasing trust.

                                    - We have entrusted our souls to Christ. Cf. 2 Tim. 1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
                                             - Our feeling of trust deepens as we know Him better.

            Saving Faith constantly verifies itself in Christian experience.

                       1 John 5:10 - evidence of the inner witness - "Hath the witness in himself."
                       Rom. 8:16 the indwelling and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
                        2 Tim. 1:12 - evidence of experiential knowledge - "I know whom I have believed." The apostle Paul on the eve of his execution.
                        Heb. 11:1 - evidence of faith itself. - "Faith is the...evidence of things not seen." The title deed.

Note: Can't verify your faith until you have faith.

                 -           Must get into the boat before you can prove it is a good boat.
                 -           "Come" - "taste" - then "see"                                     1 Pet. 2:3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord, by experiencing the real thing. "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."