Faith Doesn't Make Me Weak, It Makes Me Strong

Faith is a topic that many people struggle with, and it's normal to feel that your faith is weak at times. It's important to remember that faith is a decision, not just a feeling. When facing challenges or crises, it's common for doubts to arise and faith to be tested. However, this doesn't mean that you are weak. Recognising and accepting these moments of weakness is the first step towards strengthening your faith.

There are several ways to nurture and grow your faith. Firstly, it's crucial to commit to your belief system and the teachings of your religion. Secondly, immerse yourself in the scriptures and teachings of your faith, as these provide spiritual nourishment and guidance. Thirdly, connect with other believers, whether through a church or other religious groups, as community and shared experiences can reinforce your own faith journey.

Remember, faith is a deeply personal journey, and it's okay to have moments of uncertainty. By actively working on your faith, seeking guidance, and leaning into your belief system, you can find strength and reassurance during difficult times.

Faith is a decision, not a feeling

Faith is not an instinct or a feeling. It is an act of the will, a choice based on the unbreakable word of God. Our feelings are fickle and can change with the weather, our physical well-being, and the ups and downs of daily life. But our inner compass, our spirit self, remains the same. We can choose to have faith no matter how we feel, and there are hundreds of good reasons to do so!

When we are feeling that our faith is weak, we should recognize that faith is God's work and his gift. We should inquire and examine ourselves to see if we gladly want to believe and if we wish our faith were stronger. If this desire is present, then God's work and power are present too. We should pay attention to the foundation of our faith, which is not our feelings, nature, strength, worthiness, word, or service, but rather the service, innocence, satisfaction, obedience, suffering, bleeding, and death of Jesus Christ.

We can build our faith on the truth of God's word in the Bible. Through it, we learn of God's love for us—but apart from it, our faith will always be vague and uncertain. The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). We can also draw strength from other believers and find a church community to grow spiritually.

Faith is a decision we can choose to make no matter how we feel. It is a decision to act in favor of what we know of faith and trust in God, even when we don't feel it in the moment. And when we make that decision, God will supply the power and the positive feelings to follow through.

The Bible is spiritual food

Don't think that I'm weak because of my faith. My faith is not weak, it is strong because it is built on the truth of God's Word, the Bible. The Bible is spiritual food given by God to strengthen us in our faith.

The Bible is our spiritual food, given to us by God over thousands of years. It is not just a book of doctrines or a work of literature, but a source of nourishment for our souls. Just as we need physical food to survive and thrive, we also need spiritual food to nourish and sustain us in our relationship with God. Jesus emphasized the importance of spiritual food when he said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

The Bible is described as milk (1 Peter 2:2), meat (1 Corinthians 3:2), bread (Deuteronomy 8:3; Job 23:12), and even sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). We are meant to ingest God's Word, to make it a part of us, and to meditate and reflect on its meaning (Psalm 1:1-3). It is through the Word of God that we learn of His love for us and find strength and guidance.

In John 6:63, Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." His words are spirit and life, and they feed us. When we read the Bible and pray, we exercise our spirit and receive the Spirit of God, which is life-giving.

The Bible is not just a book to be studied or read, but a living word that becomes spirit and life when we approach it with prayer and an open heart. It is a source of strength and guidance, helping us to grow in our faith and relationship with God. So, do not think of me as weak because of my faith. My faith is strong because it is built on the solid rock of God's Word, and I am nourished and sustained by the spiritual food of the Bible.

Jesus is patient with the weak in faith

It is natural for one's faith to waver from time to time. However, God does not want our faith to be shaky and weak, and He is always ready to help us become strong in our faith. The Bible offers several ways to strengthen our faith. Firstly, it is important to be sure of your commitment to Christ. Ask yourself if your faith in Jesus Christ is absolute and if you believe in His sacrifice. A simple prayer of faith can help you invite Christ into your life.

Secondly, build your faith on the truth of God's Word, the Bible. The Bible is spiritual "food" given by God to strengthen us in our faith. Through it, we learn of God's love for us, and without it, our faith will always be vague and uncertain. The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

Thirdly, draw strength from other believers. Being active in a church community can provide opportunities for spiritual growth through weekly services, Bible studies, and other programs.

The Bible also instructs us to be patient and accepting of those who are weak in their faith: "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions" (Romans 14:1). We are called to support and nurture those who are still growing in their faith, as spiritual growth is a journey. Mature Christians are to be extraordinarily patient with immature believers, helping them through their misunderstandings and other growing pains.

Paul, in Romans 14, addresses a specific issue that often arises in the church: believers disagreeing on various matters. He advises that in cases where the Scripture does not explicitly address a disagreement, activities not forbidden by God's Word are not inherently sinful. However, they might be occasions for sin for those who are immature in the faith, and should not be causes for division. Instead, the strong should bear with the weak, not allowing their strength to injure their weaker brothers or sisters in the Lord.

Perfect faith is not the same as saving faith

Faith is a gift from God, and it is not the result of human effort or willpower. Saving faith is a conviction and trust in the person and work of Christ. It is not just a knowledge of the facts about the gospel of Jesus Christ but also a firm belief in them. This is different from historical faith, which is a bare intellectual grasp of the claims of Scripture, and temporary faith, which is when someone "believes" in the gospel but later falls away.

Perfect faith, on the other hand, is not the same as saving faith. Perfect faith would mean having unwavering and absolute trust in God and Jesus Christ, with no room for doubt or weakness. While this may be the ideal, it is not a requirement for salvation. Saving faith, as described above, is enough to secure a sinner's salvation.

When feeling that their faith in Christ is weak, individuals can take several steps to strengthen their faith. These include recognizing that faith is a gift from God, examining their desire to believe and strengthen their faith, focusing on the foundation of their faith (the service, innocence, and obedience of Jesus Christ), and seeking comfort and guidance from God through prayer.

In conclusion, perfect faith and saving faith are distinct concepts. Saving faith is a firm conviction and trust in Jesus Christ, which is sufficient for salvation. Perfect faith, while ideal, is not a prerequisite for salvation and is not something that most individuals can maintain consistently.

Jesus is the saviour, not faith

Faith is a gift from God, and it is natural for it to waver at times. When this happens, it is important to remember that Jesus is the saviour, not faith.

In the Bible, the word "savior" means someone who saves someone else. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as the saviour, delivering His people from danger. Jesus, being God, is the perfect saviour. He lived a sinless life and chose to die on the cross, paying the price for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, He offers us forgiveness, justification, eternal life, and sanctification.

Jesus saves us from sin, God's punishment, death, and the deception of the devil. He reconciles us with God, allowing us to approach God as our heavenly Father. It is only by submitting to Jesus and trusting in Him that we receive salvation.

While faith is important, it is not what saves us. Our faith may falter, but Jesus remains our constant saviour. We can find comfort in Him and His unchanging grace.

If you are struggling with weak faith, there are several things you can do. Firstly, recognise that faith is a gift from God, and He desires for you to have strong faith. Secondly, examine yourself and your desire to believe. Even a weak desire for faith is God's work in you. Thirdly, remember that the foundation of our faith is not our feelings or strength but solely the work of Jesus Christ. Finally, pray humbly, knowing that God hears the prayers of the humble and that the Holy Spirit supports and strengthens our prayers.

Remember, it is not about the strength of your faith but the object of your faith—Jesus Christ, the saviour.

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