Here are some practical steps to help us grow in faith.
1. Start reading God’s Word, the Bible, every day.
The Bible is like one big love letter from God to you, His new child! This is the most important wat in which you will begin to personally know God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God – all of Whom are working in your behalf to help you become that new creation in Christ.
and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation – 1 Peter 2:2 NASB
Recognize that the Bible, God’s Word, is truth.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17 NIV
His Word will now be the reference for your life, not what man tells you. His Word will also guide your life.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. – Psalms 119:105 KJV
While at first, some of the writings in God’s Word may seem difficult to understand, the Holy Spirit is also your teacher and will help you. Start with the New Testament, the book of John. Read a portion everyday in quietness and see how the Holy Spirit impresses you with the wonderful truths and blessings of God.
2. Begin to pray
Prayer is your way of communicating with God. He is now your Father. He cares for you and loves you. Most of all, He wants you to know Him. You do this by reading His Word and by praying. Simply tell God how you feel, what areas of your life you need Him to help you in, then believe that He is going to answer that prayer! As God answers your prayers, your faith in Him will grow and you will see how much He really loves you.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7 NIV
In your prayer time you will also begin to sense God’s Presence and His guidance. As you become sensitive to Him, you will find that He really will guide and direct your life.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7 ESV
3. Find a Bible-believing church.
Another way to grow in the Lord and be protected from the deceptions of Satan is to belong to a fellowship of true believers. There are many churches, but finding a fellowship of true believers is something else.
- A Bible believing church – one in which they teach, preach and emphasize the principles of the Word of God, not just church doctrine.
- A soul-winning church – one which has a deep concern for the lost souls
- A loving church – one in which the fruits of the Holy Spirit are demonstrated in a genuine love and concern for one another’s welfare
- A praise-filled church – one which recognizes that praise and worship in a congregation brings God’s presence
It is very important that you stay in fellowship with other believers in a good Bible-believing church. This will not only strengthen you, but provide a way for you to become a disciple learning to be life Jesus in every area of your life.
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20 NIV
4. Experience water baptism
A local church of believers will also provide you with an opportunity to be baptized in water. This is a very important step in your Christian walk. Jesus commanded it for all believers.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Matthew 28:19 NIV
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. – Mark 16:16 NIV
In the Word of God, water baptism is tied in very closely to salvation. The Scriptures give many examples of baptism by immersion in water. While it is an act of obedience, it is also an important step in your growth as a new Christian.
Water baptism is an outward manifestation of an inward change brought about by Christ living in you. Many Christians experience a new release from their “old self” and old habits as they are obedient to water baptism.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. – Romans 6:3-5 ESV
