Strengthening One's Faith
Developing a deeper faith and stronger relationship with our Lord
The water that I give you shall be in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life
God sent Jesus
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God became a Man (incarnation) and laid down his life to die for our sins on Calvary’s Cross. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. Jesus came to reveal God’s love. The nature of love is that it has to be freely given and freely responded to. God desires a free living response to his love. Love is very important to our understanding of God. The teaching of Jesus have brought hope and joy to mankind and restored our broken relationship with God. Strengthening one’s faith is of crucial importance to our understanding and communication with him.
Abide in Me
During the life of Jesus on earth, the word He used when speaking of the relations of the disciples to Himself was: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). When about to leave for heaven, He gave them a new word, in which their more intimate and spiritual union with Himself in glory should be expressed. That chosen word was: “Abide in me” (John 15:7). The first followers of Jesus were known as The Way. This assembly of believers recognized one another by the symbol of a fish. This was symbolic for Jesus telling them “I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).
John 1:4
Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Jesus Our Lord and Saviour
Strengthening one’s faith is understanding that Christ is our light and also the living Word. As we read the Scriptures found in the Bible, that life in him brings revelation. Revelation will always precede faith. Revelation is always the work of the Holy Spirit. The instant you accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, He became Lord of your life and your name was added to the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). The Cross has been given to procure salvation for us; the Spirit has been given to produce salvation in us. Christ risen and ascended is the basis of our salvation; Christ in our hearts by the Spirit is its power.
Christ knew the disciples would be like sheep without a shepherd once He left them. He therefore instructed them to do nothing, until such time as He would send the “Comforter” to them, “… ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus continues to reveal the Father to us through the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old thing are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Colossians 2:6
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. .
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
As we develop a deeper faith and stronger relationship with our Lord, one will discover in his own heart an increasing love for the Lord Jesus, a deeper appreciation of His divine person, and of the work which He did during His incarnation.
When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away (1 Peter 5:4).
The good shepherd will search and find his sheep. He will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. Our shepherd will find his sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Our Saviour will bring them back home to their own land and feed them on the mountains and by the rivers. He himself will tend his sheep and cause them to lie down in peace. Our Saviour will search for his lost ones who strayed away, and he will bring them safely home again. He will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak (Ezekiel 34:11-16).