Faith must be exercised to develop in much of the same way as our physical muscles and our minds must be exercised to develop into a place of acuity and strength.

Just as increased weight or resistance builds the muscles of our body and mental activity, demanding disciplined thought increases our ability to think properly. Faith therefore, can be exercised by increased responsibility.

This can be seen in Luke 16:10-11: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"

As you overcome in one level of faith you will be thrust into a new level of faith. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48).

This is the process spoken of in Romans 1:17. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." The life of a Christian is meant to be one that progresses from faith to faith - from one level of glory to the next. This is where those of faith live. "The just shall live by their faith."

Just as surely as the just live by their faith, so also, the unjust shall die by their faith. Fear is also faith. It is faith in the devil's ability to bring loss, death and destruction. It is believing that he can do whatever he desires.

According to John 10:10, we know that his nature is to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy." But, Beloved, let us take a stand against him and follow the admonition in 1 Peter 5:8-9 which says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith."

The God of love provided an answer to the plans of our adversary as can be seen in the second part of John 10:10. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Therefore, we the people of faith receive the object of our faith - a life…and life more abundantly - as we choose to exercise faith in the Anointed One (Jesus) more than we give credence to the devil.

Luke 19:26 says, "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." From this we learn that one who is faithful in little (faith) will be given much (faith). We are continually moving from faith to faith.

You may say, but I don't seem to have much faith. How can that be? We know that faith pleases God. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). Will He not give you what you need to please Him? Of course He will!

Romans 10:17 teaches us that His Word has the ability to impart faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Supernatural faith comes by means of the Word of God. This is the Hebrews 11:1 kind of faith that "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

God wants you to exercise the faith you have so that you move up to the next level of faith in order for Him to bless you with more. Look at how this principle is born out in Galatians 4:1-7:

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Having more demands more responsibility. More responsibility requires a greater exercise of faith, a more mature level of the exercise of faith. A more mature level of faith allows you to be entrusted with more. This is the purpose of the exercise of faith.

Wellspring Ministries
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