Good morning, each and every one

I am not a prophet (did I mention that before?), but I can predict that this email will not be easy to write. Why, you ask? Because even though I’ve talked about faith before, I want to look at it from another angle. Here’s the question: can one’s faith be increased?

Let’s agree on a foundational principle that faith comes from God:

“…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” [Romans 12:3b]

In Hebrews we get a clear definition of faith:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” [11:1]

The question of whether or not faith can be increased can be looked at from two different sides. Those who say faith can be increased might point to this verse:

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'” [Luke 17:5]

The other common interpretation, which I happen to favor, is that God has given His followers an individual “measure of faith.” (I may be going out on a limb here, but perhaps God has given Franklin Graham a larger measure of faith than me.) My point is that if one’s faith in the Sovereign God, the salvation of Jesus, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit is “sure” and “certain”, then how could that faith be increased? And if it can be increased, then how sure and certain was it to begin with?

Going from ‘mostly certain’ to ‘certain’ is not an increase in faith–it’s a cancellation of doubt. Certain means certain. Knowledge can be increased, and even love. But with faith, God has given us a ‘measure’. Can one add to, or detract from, what God has provided?

So thank you for allowing me to pose a question which may have more than one interpretation. I prefer not to shy away from these type of questions, which brothers and sisters should be able to discuss freely.

Your interpretations welcome.

Blessings,

–Keith