The core of Christianity is faith! Hebrews 11:6, “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 him that diligently seek him.” If we attempt to walk by sight—living by what we see and that which is presently happening in our lives—discouragement often arrives.

Sad to say, many live this way: a life void of faith in God! Every believer in Christ should have goals:

1) Lead others to Jesus.

2) Encourage the people who are saved.

Because of negative attitude that seems to be in every part of life, folks complain. This is an evidence of unbelief—not following God. Faith is everything to a believer. The Christian life is grounded in faith—our number one defense against the kingdom of darkness.

The Bible says if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, a mountain can be moved. Today, we are bereft of faith, depending on everything but God.

Here’s the message: The Bible tells me to build my faith. What does this mean? I have a role to play. Complacency is the subtle way to destroy your faith.

As one man said, “Idleness is the devil’s workshop.” (Please note, God always uses people that are busy doing something for him.) Christianity is not for spectators. Everyone who is a believer has a responsibility; build your faith.

Let me give you some thoughts:

1) Christians go through much training in this life. The apostle Peter saw many miracles, yet his faith failed at the cross of Christ.

2) In growth, all training ends in a crisis. It is a crisis at graduation. It is a crisis at the wedding altar. It is a crisis when the baby arrives. It is a crisis when your marriage is at a stand still. It is a crisis when your finances are not working.

3) At a crisis, faith grows or weakens—this will be an opportunity or an obstacle; the decision is yours.

4) Faith does not grow on intellectual knowledge. Theology does not mean anything when it comes to how much faith you have. How much you know is irrelevant when it comes to faith.

5) Faith does not grow on vicarious experience. Your faith will not grow on another’s faith. The disciples walked with Christ, but at the end, they all fled.

6) Faith comes after we realize how weak our faith really is. Peter was in the inner circle, but his faith never was exposed.

7) Faith does not grow in a crisis. A crisis does not build your faith. It reveals the condition of your faith. Hard times are indicators of our faith in God. Pressures in our lives are like X-rays; they reveal what is inside our hearts.

How does our faith grow? It begins to grow when we stop relying on someone or something to build our faith. The Bible says for you to build yourself (Jude 20). I like this motto: Self-fed Christianity. How do you know if your faith is growing? Tell me the amount of time you spent in the Bible this week.

People make this mistake, they feed on someone else. What happens when you disagree with that person? There are times I don’t agree with myself. Your faith does not grow because of someone or something, or because of hard times. A crisis just reveals your faith.

When people saw Jesus on the cross, they knew he was the Son of God.

Are you doing any self-feeding? Are you stable and faithful?

(Hranicky is the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of Sligo .)