CHRISTIAN GROWTH.
The force of this is
found in the fact that the Christian life, which is the result of faith, is
progressive.
The Christian life
is a continual growth. Peter says: "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know
these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:17, 18. The only way to
keep from falling from that which we have, is to grow. David says of the
righteous man that "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of
water." Ps. 1:3.
This means continual
growth.
We read of the path
of the just, that it "shall be as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18. But "the just shall live by
faith;" therefore it must be that their
faith increases.
Again, Paul says to
the Corinthians: "Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister
bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of
your righteousness." 2 Cor. 9:10.
To the Thessalonians
he wrote: "And the Lord make you to
increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all
men." 1 Thess. 3:12. And again he said: "But we beseech you,
brethren, that ye increase more and more."
1 Thess. 4:16. But faith works by love; that is,
love is the outgrowth of true faith; therefore increasing love must be the
result of increasing faith.
To the Hebrews, the
apostle wrote: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection." Heb. 6:1. And in the epistle to the
Philippians Paul said: "Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:12-14. Here is set forth a continual
reaching out for some higher attainment. The calling of God in Christ Jesus, is
a calling to holy or righteous living, for we read: "But like as he which
called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because
it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." 1 Pet. 1:15, 16, Revised
Version.
This righteousness to which we are called, and for
higher attainments in which we must constantly press, is obtained only by faith,
as Paul expresses his desire to be found in Christ, not having his own
righteousness, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith. Phil. 3:9. Therefore, since righteousness comes only
by faith, and it must increase, it follows that faith must also increase. So it
was not a vain prayer which the disciples uttered, when they said, "Lord, increase our faith." Luke
17:5.
That faith is
susceptible of growth, is plainly declared by the Scriptures. Paul had hope
that when the faith of the Corinthian brethren was increased, he should be
helped by them to preach the gospel in the regions beyond them. 2 Cor. 10:15,
16. To the Thessalonians he wrote that he prayed exceedingly night and day,
that he might see them, and might perfect that which was lacking in their
faith. 1 Thess. 3:10. And still later he wrote: "We are bound to thank God
always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all
toward each other aboundeth." 2 Thess. 1:3.
This last text
contains the whole of the argument that we have made. Their faith grew, and as
a consequence their charity abounded. Charity, or love, is the fulfilling of
the law. Rom. 13:10; 1 John 5:3. It is the manifestation of the righteousness
of God, and is a result of true faith, for faith works by love, and the only righteousness which will be accepted when the
Lord comes is that which is by the faith of Christ, "the
righteousness which is of God by faith." Such being the teaching of
Scripture, there is no reason why we should not understand Rom. 1:17 just as it
reads: The righteousness of God is revealed, or manifested, from faith to
faith.
One or two notable
instances recorded in Scripture will illustrate this. The apostle records that
"by faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when
she had received the spies with peace." Heb. 11:31. This case has been a
cause of stumbling to some who have not given careful thought to it. It is well
known that Rahab lied to the men sent by the king of Jericho to seize the spies
(see Josh. 2:2-6), and they imagine that in saving her God placed a premium on
lying, and that it is right sometimes to lie. Neither is true. Rahab was saved,
not because of her lie, but because of her faith. She, in common with all the
people of Jericho, had heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea,
and how he had led the Israelites; but she alone, of all the inhabitants of
Jericho, believed that the hand of the Lord was in the matter, and that he had
given the land of Canaan to the Israelites. She had simple faith, but was
totally ignorant of God's law. In the code of heathen morality, lying was
accounted a virtue, and she knew nothing better. But her faith made it possible
for her to be saved, and brought her into a place where she could learn
righteousness. As a natural consequence her faith in God would increase when
she learned more of him. In her case we have a clear instance of the revelation
of the righteousness of God from faith to faith.
The same thing is
true of Cornelius. He feared God with all his house, and gave much alms, and
"prayed to God always." As a consequence, an angel was sent to him,
directing him to send for Peter, who should tell him what he ought to do.
The sum of the whole thing is that it is faith that
brings God near to us.
If we first believe
that he is, he will reveal himself to us more fully.
If we rejoice in
that light and walk in it, our faith will be increased, and that will bring
more light.
As with Rahab, so
with all. God does not grant us a blessing
because we are righteous, but in order that we may become righteous. When our
faith brings us to Christ, it is that we may learn of him. To our faith we add
virtue and knowledge. But as faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God, it follows that the more we really know–accept–of the word of God, the
greater will be our faith. And so, increasing daily in faith, the just go on
from strength to strength, until the dawning of the perfect day ushers them
into the immediate presence of God.
Lessons on Faith –
A.T. Jones & E.J. Waggoner
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