Faith That Grows

by J. H. PYPER | Category: General | May 1950

The Scriptures are clear that salvation is through faith alone. Faith in the Saviour, not works, is all God asks from the sinner who comes to Him for salvation.

"... saved through faith ... not of works" (Ephesians 2.8, 9).

The saved thief on one of the crosses is an illustration in point (Luke 23.). His hands could do no work to merit salvation for they were nailed to a cross- his feet could not walk to obtain salvation because they also were' nailed. Actually his works had placed the thief on that cross All he could do was to repent of his sins (verse 41) and put ftith in the Lord Jesus for salvation (verse 42). And as this was all God required for forgiveness and salvation the Lord Jesus graciously acknowledged the dying man's faith (verse 43).

~ 1 Timothy 3.9. 23 1 Timothy 4.6. 24 Romans 12.~6. R.V.M.

~ 1 Timothy 6.12. 24 Ephes'ians 6.16. '7 1 Timothy 1.19.

~2Tithy4.1-8.

� However small the saved thief's faith may have been, it was fai~ and as such was acceptable to God. In His gracious dealings with repentant sinners this is ever His way. Faith in the work of His beloved Son is all He asks: the amo~nt of faith the sinner has is secondary. But after he is saved God desires his faith to "grow" (2 Corinthians 10.15), to "grow exceedingly" (2 Thessalonians 1.8) until he is "full of faith " (Acts 6.5).

The saved thief on the cross who went to Paradise that day with the Lord had but very little time, so possibly his faith had not increased (Luke 17.5), but that is not God's desire for you and me, His disciples. He expects our faith to grow; to be perfected (James 2.22). A plant that does not grow is nigh unto being dead; earth that is unproductive is termed barren. And God says of your faith and mine if, after believing, our faith does not grow and does not produce works,

"Faith, if it ha~ not ~orks, is dead in itself."

"Faith apart from works is barren" (James 2.17, 20).

Here now, after salvation, God speaks of works. He now speaks of our works as a disciple. It is impossible that these works of ours could, in the least degree, perfect the work of salvation the Lord Jesus wrought on Calvary.; or add to the eternal life that faith in Him obtains. This is not how the Scripturea view the disciple's works. These works are simply an outward expression of an inward faith; as the faith grows, proportionately the good works grow.

The faith which only God can see produces works which man can see (Matthew 5.16). The incident in Luke 7. is an illustration of this. The repentant sinful woman with faith and love in her heart bowed herself at the Saviour's feet. And He who could discern the thoughts and intents of the heart saw her faith and could say, "Thy faith hath saved thee" (verse 50).

Simon saw not her faith. But he could see the outworking of her faith-her love manifested by her works. And these he saw without realizing their significance until the Lord drew his attention to it. "Simon, Seest thou this woman? - . . she hath wetted My feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair . . . she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet . . . she hath anointed My feet with ointment" (verses 44 to 46). By her works she showed Simon her faith.

Also consider the act of Abraham offering up in sacrifice his son Isaac. The same act is recorded not only in Hebrews Ii., but ais6 in James 2. But note the difference:

"Byfaith Abraham, being tried, "Was not Abraham our father offered up Isaac" � I justified by works, in that he

(Hebrews 11.17). offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? " (James 2.21).

In the former it is b)' faiih; in the latter by works. In the one ure God takes notice of Abraham's inward faith, while in the

T his works before men are indicative of the unseen faith.

Similarly with the case of Rahab receiving the spies.

"By faith Rahab the harlot "Was not also Rahab the

shed not with them that were harlot jushfied by works in that sobedient, having received the she received the messengers

pies with peace " . . . .

(Hebrews 11.81). (James 2.25)

Hebrews 11.81 is God's view of the event, by faith. James 2.25 is a manifestation to men of works prompted by faith.

So then works are an outward expression of an inward faith.

While the truth of faith growing has a vital interest for believers old and young, it should have a most definite interest for young disciples.

How does our faith grow? How.does a child grow? we may ask.. True there are many complex actions that contribute to the whole vrocess. But there are some apparent causes of growth. Feeding

'Sone. A child that~is starved will not grow. So with our faith. It must be fed by reading and meditating on the Scriptures. Exercise 'Sanother. And the use or exercising of our faith will be a contribu tory cause to its growth.

Young believer, you remember that memorable day you put your simple faith, small as a grain of mustard seed it may be, in the

Saviour who died for you. How much has the seed of faith grown pjnce then? Has it produced fruit in the first good work of a disciple .~~baptism? Do you now find yourself numbered with the Lord's people in the local Assembly?

Young brother in the Assembly, let us examine our faith. Has ~ur faith grown? Has our faith and growth in grace given us any

to lead the Assembly's praise with the giving out of a hymn ? ~ave we grown so much that the Holy Spirit can use us to lead the Assembly in praise, thanksgiving and in prayer?

Young brother and sister alike, Has our faith so grown since that ~y of small beginnings that we are now "full of faith"? Do you LI'd I not feel a sense of shame as we look back over the years since we

're saved? Is it not the case that while we should be "strong in ith" (Romans 4.20) we may really be "weak in faith" (Romans 11: instead of" great faith" (Matthew 8.10), does God only see

faith" (Matthew 6.80); instead of our faith "abounding~" ~onnthians 8.7) is our faith " failing" (Luke 22.82)? Can we say answer to the descriptions-" faithful men" (2 Timothy 2. 2~ women . . . faithful in all things" (1 Timothy 3.11)?

As we thus take stock is there not shame for so little gratitude manifested in our daily lives after all the Lord Jesus has done for us, and still does for us as our High Priest (Hebrews 7.25)? May a 4esire be kindled in our bosoms that, with His help, our faith and works will grow to His praise and glory.

"To whieh end we . . pray . . . for you. that our God 'nay count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness, and every work of faith, with power; 'hat the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you." (2 Thessalonians 1.11, 12).

J. H. PYPER | May 1950
General