Increasing Faith (4)

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”Revelation 21.5

Stuck in the status quo
I suppose it could be said of a good many Christians that they haven’t changed much over the years. I even suspect many of us would say that about ourselves. Sometime ago we hit a stride, found a groove, settled into certain routines and habits, and that’s pretty much where we’ve been since. Life is good. Why upset our contentment with new, strange, or perhaps even risky things or undertakings?

Let’s suppose the disciples had taken that approach. Let’s focus on Peter and Andrew. Here they were, family men in the family business, doing pretty well and living in nice lakefront homes. They put in a full day’s work and seemed to be doing just fine. They’d never had much time for formal learning, but that was OK with them. They liked the sea, the boats and nets, the exertion and exhilaration of a big catch. Life was good, and they weren’t looking for anything new or risky.

Then along came Jesus. Suppose, in response to His call to follow Him, they’d said, “Wow, thanks for the invitation. We’re honored you’d even think of us. But you know, we’ve never been away from home much, and we have a lot to do. We believe in God, really we do, and He’s been very good to us. Besides, I don’t know, what you have in mind – that ‘fishing for men’ thing? – we’ve never done that, and we’re pretty sure no one would ever respond to us like that. So thanks, Jesus, but we’ll just keep on keeping on right where we are. We’ll be praying for you.”

What about you? Are you stuck in the status quo? Is your Christian life pretty much the same as it’s been for years?

And do you expect to increase in full faith under such conditions?

Get out of the boat!
Peter again. Jesus walking on the water. An idea comes to Peter’s mind. It’s crazy. Far-fetched. Unlikely, and unlike anything he’s ever thought or done before: “Lord, if it’s You, command me to come to You on the water.” Can you hear Andrew? “What!? Are you crazy!?” Can you see John, who’s known Peter like forever, burying his face in his hands, muttering to himself, “Here he goes again”?

But Peter was up for something new, and He was looking at the one Person Who could make “new” happen like nobody’s business. You know the rest.

One sure way to increase faith is to position yourself in new circumstances or surroundings, to reach out to new people, to acquire new skills, learn new things, or to take on new responsibilities – to get out of your familiar boat and walk on the water toward Jesus. Your faith will not increase as long as you persist in the status quo of all things familiar and safe. Faith increases as we stretch beyond ourselves into new areas of thought, service, caring, and love – places where we need to trust that the Spirit of Christ will meet us and carry us exceedingly abundantly above or beyond where we’ve ever been before (Eph. 3.20).

Where’s your new?
So where’s your “new”? Where might Jesus take you more deeply into the regions of increased faith and all things new? Know first of all, that newness in Christ requires facing up to and working to overcome whatever of your “oldness” is keeping you from increasing faith (Eph. 4.17-24).

How about learning to know Jesus through a new and different means – more concentrated study of Scripture, church history, Christian art, or the study of creation?

What about finding a new place of service where you can touch others with the love of Jesus? I’m sure your pastor and church leaders are looking for help in a good many places. Give them a call and tell them Jesus is commanding you to get out of your boat and you’re eager to do it.

How about becoming more consistent in your witness for Christ? Never done that? Well, here’s an area of “newness” to which every believer is called. Ask your pastor to help you map out your Personal Mission Field and to begin working it consistently, day by day, for the purpose of making Jesus known.

How about prayer or other spiritual disciplines? Isn’t it about time you tried something new in seeking the Lord? What about fasting? Or singing? Or a spiritual retreat? Or how about getting a soul friend with whom you can meet, pray, and encourage each other in your walk with the Lord?

Jesus is the King of all things new! If we are resistant to newness, how can we expect to increase faith in Him? But as you take up the challenge of newness, don’t mistake newness for novelty. Novelty is something we try, then, most likely, set aside. But newness is something we become (2 Cor. 5.17-21). And the reason we become new by venturing out onto the waves of life is because we are moving toward Jesus, Whom we desire, and like Whom we are becoming – soul and body – as He increases our faith and makes all things new in our lives.

For reflection
1.  What would getting out of the boat look like in your life?

2.  Why do you think most Christians prefer a status quo faith rather than increasing and full faith?

3.  In what areas of your life would you like to know more of the newness of Jesus?

Next steps – Demonstration: What opportunities for “newness” might you explore? Ask a church leader to think and pray through this question with you. Then choose an area or activity and get out of your boat!

T. M. Moore

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This week’s ReVision study is Part 10 of a 10-part series, “Full Faith.” You can download “Increasing Faith” as a free PDF, prepared for personal or group study. Simply click here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.