How strong is my faith?

But you, beloved, must remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. - Jude 1:17-21 (LSB)

How can I strengthen my faith?

1. Building yourselves up on your most holy faith - Meditate on His Word daily

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. - Acts 20:32 (LSB)

Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. - 1 Peter 2:1-3 (LSB)

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (LSB)

2. Praying in the Holy Spirit - Pray in accordance with His will

Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. - Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)

Whatever you ask in My name, this will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do. - John 14:13-14 (LSB)

In their hour of loss at the departure of Jesus, He comforted them with the means that would provide them with the necessary resources to accomplish their task without His immediate presence which they had come to depend upon. To ask in Jesus' "name" does not mean to tack such an expression on the end of a prayer as a mere formula. It means: 1) the believer's prayer should be for His purposes and kingdom and not for selfish reasons; 2)the believer's prayer should be on the basis of His merits and not any personal merit or worthiness; and 3)the believer's prayer should be in pursuit of His glory alone. - John MacArthur

3. Keeping yourselves in the love of God - Be obedient to God in all things

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and  your joy may be complete. John 15:9-11 (LSB)

Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and being built up in Him, and having been established in your faith—just as you were instructed—and abounding with thanksgiving. - Colossians 2:6-7 (LSB)

4. Waiting anxiously for Christ’s return - Live as if He were returning today

For they themselves report about us what kind of an entrance we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. - 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (LSB)

Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth? - Luke 18:7-8 (LSB)

Am I prepared for His imminent return?

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. - Jude 1:24-25 (LSB)

Be Encouraged to strengthen your faith by building, praying, keeping and waiting. 



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