By doing these four things you put yourself in the best possible place to grow and receive guidance, encouragement and support. (Hebrews 10:23-25).

They are keys whereby your faith can grow. The first believers were devoted to them and grew in faith. (Acts 2:41-47).

One important thing is to partake of the Breaking of Bread, also called Communion or the “Lord’s Supper”. It is best done collectively with others, and we do it in remembrance of the Lord’s death. (1 Corinthians 11:20-26). It is a “spiritual meal” based on the Passover, and the bread should be unleavened, and the grape juice should be non-alcoholic (to not place temptation before others). (1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Deuteronomy 16:2-3).

They are emblems and do not carry some kind of power as thought in the practice of “last rights”. Nevertheless, they are important in that the juice of the grape represents Christ’s blood shed for the remission of sin, and unleavened bread represents his sinless body.

Leaven is a symbol of sin and should not be used in Communion as it totally violates the meaning. Some churches use leavened bread but it is a tradition that compromises the symbolic truth of God’s Word. Neither can communion cleanse us from sin. It is not wine that cleanses us but the blood of Christ which it represents. (1 John 1:7).

THE LAW OF DOUBT AND THE LAW OF FAITH

There are two conflicting laws that influence almost everyone – the law of faith and the law of doubt. In the Bible doubt is called unbelief. (James 1:6-8, 4:8).

The law of doubt hinders, restricts and blocks our ability to function properly and grow as children of God. God always blesses and responds to faith not doubt, and we are to build up our faith.

It might surprise you to know that one of the keys to building up our faith is trouble and adversity. When things go wrong, we often react by asking, “Why did this happen to me?” The answer may well be “to build up your faith”. (1 Peter 1:3-9).

Jesus encouraged people to have faith, and he did things to build up and strengthen their faith. He told his disciples to do things, such as pray for the sick. (Matthew 10:8, 14:16). Sometimes, he allowed things to happen to stretch their faith.

One such time was when he sent the disciples ahead of him to cross the Lake of Galilee while he stayed behind. The disciples were alone when a violent storm hit them. After a while, Jesus appeared walking on the water, and he made as if he would go right past them. When Peter cried out, “If it is you, Lord, tell me to come to you”, Jesus commanded him to come, and when he began to sink, Jesus lifted him up and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 24:31).

Another instance was when he told the blind man to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. (John 9:6-7). This blind man had to negotiate a difficult obstacle course to get there but this was to build up his faith to receive healing.

Our faith will be tested, and we should expect this and allow trials to strengthen our faith. We must build up our faith and not give in to doubts.

This was illustrated by the man who battled with doubt, nevertheless, he was honest enough to confess it to Jesus. (Mark 9:24). The Lord did not condemn him when he asked for help to overcome his unbelief.

We have to face our doubts, confess them and overcome them. The apostle James wrote that our faith will be tested, and warned us not to give in to doubt because doubt cannot receive the promises of God nor be guided by his wisdom. (James 1:2-8, 4:8).

Doubt produces sin, and faith produces perseverance, and we should look beyond the trial to what can come from it. A life of faith achieves impossible things.

The lives of many great men and women testify to their faith. Hebrews chapter 11 is called “the faith chapter” and records some of the great Biblical “heroes of faith”: how they overcame massive obstacles, won victories over huge armies, faced wild animals, and even triumphed over death itself.

The Bible says, “With God, nothing is impossible”. Outside of God’s love, there is nothing greater than to have faith in God: love and faith together are the strongest powers God makes available to man.

You might like to make a study of each life mentioned in Hebrews 11 and discover more about the lives of these men and women.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Keys to Growing in Christ:

Episode 2: God’s Word – The Bible

Episode 3: Prayer

Episode 4: The Gifts for Spiritual Growth

Episode 5: The Peace of God is the Key to Every Situation