For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
(1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)
Today's Morsel: Paul said that the Lord has dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). The Greek word for "measure" is Metron; which is your portion, degree. It is the rate that we all have. So what you do with your "Metron" is up to you. Some people's faith is strong. Other's are semi-strong. And still other's are weak.
If God has given every man the measure of faith, what is the difference in these three types?
Ø Someone with strong faith have followed Peters advice and they have given all diligence, they add to their faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For they know, that if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (emphasis mind 2 Peter 1:5-11)
Ø Someone with semi-strong faith have the Word within them, but, like the seed that fell on stony soil in Luke 8, they don't have any roots within themselves. In other words, they live a shallow Christian lifestyle. They see church and the things of God as a need to, but they allow other things to prevent them from doing what they know they ought to do. There is a blockage in their heart.
Ø Someone with weak faith knows what they ought to do, but they don't do it. It's the person who doesn't see themselves as worthy to step forth to do anything for God. It's the person who allows the cares of this life to choke the Word out of them. A person with weak faith wants everyone else to tell them how to live, what to do, and make the decisions for them instead of studying the Word and figuring things out for themselves. For this person to trust God is too far reaching. They are more prone to sleep in church and allow themselves to fade in and out instead of pushing themselves to listen. They are missing some ingredients in their faith. Their faith is like bread without yeast, it can't rise. Paul said that a little leaven leaventh the whole lump. Paul is referring to sin in a life; but I want to use it in relationship to increasing one's faith. If you can find the ingredient that is missing in your faith, you can cause it to rise and you can have great faith. As it is with all faith to be perfected, James said, that it takes works. Because without works, your faith is dead being alone.
Sing: Jesus use me, Lord, don't refuse me; for surely there's a work that I can do. And even though its humble, Lord help my will to crumble, though the cost be great, I'll work for you.
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