Degrees of Faith
Degrees of Faith
A person may be “weak in faith” (Rom. 14:1) or “of little faith” (Matt. 14:31).
Another needs to complete what is lacking in his faith (1 Thess. 3:10). And a third is “slow of heart to believe,” like the two disciples of Emmaus (Luke 24:25). In contrast to this, there are degrees of faith.
One person is a believer, another is “not a novice” (1 Tim. 3:6). A third, “your faith grows exceedingly” (2 Thess. 1:3), or “you abound in everything… in faith” (2 Cor. 8:7).
A fourth has “continued in the faith” (Col. 1:23).
A fifth is “steadfast in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:9).
A sixth is “rich in faith” (James 2:5).
Higher than all these is a seventh who is “full of faith” (Acts 6:5), and the Lord said of some, “Great is your faith” (Matt. 15:28). There is also a strong faith, “these signs will follow” (Mark 16:17), and a faith that can “remove mountains” (1 Cor. 13:2), and a faith greater than these, which can do all things: “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). In light of all this, what is the condition of your faith?
Are you truly a believer? Do you have “faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6)? And are you growing in faith? Or is your faith strong and great? Or do you need the prayers, “that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22:32)?
Brethren, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).
The word faith undoubtedly carries deep meanings.
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