Faith Building 101

T.D. Roberts

Sometimes we can feel our faith failing in the constant banging and bruising of daily life. Sometimes we can see faith failing in our loved ones and dear friends. Often we have an opportunity to build faith in others and ourselves. But how do we do it?

This article highlights several areas that can build up faith based on the work of the apostle Paul and makes application to three types of individuals: Religious or semi- religious people, non-religious people, and finally, Christians living in the world.

Religious or “good” people are all around us striving to implement the social gospel and make the world a better place in which to live. In reality, their faith in God’s Word is low. What can be said to such a person? The apostle Paul found those of the Jewish persuasion in Antioch of Pisidia on his first preaching trip to Asia Minor as recorded in Acts 13:16-41. His approach is instructive. Note that he began with the history of the Jews in order to focus on the promise of God to send a Savior (see verse 23). He quotes John the Baptist to emphasize the greatness of Jesus and the message of salvation. Next he says that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead as proven by witnesses. All of this means that God has kept His promises (see verses 33-37). Paul concludes in verse 38 that forgiveness of sins is now available. But note his second conclusion in verse 40: “Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about”. This is a quote from Habakkuk 1:5. Here Paul warns that failing faith like that in the Old Testament led to almost total physical (and spiritual) destruction!

Summary: Paul taught these religious people that God is a promise keeper. He then pushed them to see that failure to accept Jesus as the source of forgiveness of sins and salvation would result in a terrible destruction much like that of the Old Testament. God keeps His promises, and He will keep His promise of destruction as well. What a motivator to “good” people!

What of non-religious people? Those who do not believe in the God of the Bible or His Word are also to be found almost everywhere. Paul encountered people of this kind in Athens on his second preaching trip in Acts 17:22-31. Note the very different approach. Here Paul introduces the real God as the creator of man and everything else. Further, man was created as God’s children to seek Him (see verses 27-28). Then after pointing out that idols won’t do, Paul emphasizes that God expects repentance because He has fixed a day for righteous judgment of the world. What is the proof that this day is coming? A Man (Jesus) was raised from the dead!

Summary: We are created to seek after our creator, and should repent of manmade worship because we face a judgment day.

Finally, what about Christians? What can we do? How can we build again our faith?

If we review how Paul worked to build faith we can help ourselves. Let us make a list:

Remember that God is a great and faithful promise keeper. Always has been. Always will be. He can provide an eternal heavenly home for me as He promised.
Our main goal in life is to focus on obeying Jesus to provide salvation the forgiveness of sins. To focus on popularity, money, or feeling good is to miss the point of Christianity. If we are popular and have a lot of money while feeling great and miss salvation, we have missed it all, and subjected ourselves to eternal tragedy.
The God we serve is our Creator. He made us to seek Him. Living otherwise is to fail to achieve our purpose on this earth.

The very same matters that strengthen and build faith in others help us too, don’t they? Sometimes the Devil weakens our faith by steering us toward emphasizing this daily life instead of focusing on salvation and forgiveness of sins. I can build up my faith by remembering the solid foundation upon which faith is based.

Believe it because God said it in His Word.