Faiths is a gift of God. From man's side faith is impossible. A characteristic of faith is that it looks away from present circumstances and sees that which is invisible. This goes beyond man's abilities because we are people of sense, feeling and sight. Man looks at the things around him and is even able to anticipate events in the future, but this takes place within the scope of this present world and our daily life. To look beyond the contours of this world, to see beyond the limitations of this life and to consider what is outside this reality is beyond our power. But this is exactly what faith does. Faith looks to God, Christ, the Word of God and the future life with God. Man can never do this in his own strength. Man needs the powerful working of God's Spirit to be able to believe. Faith is a gift of God.

Someone who does not have faith has a miserable life. If you have no faith in Christ, you have no comfort, no perspective, no hope, and no view of the fullness there is in Christ. If you do not have these matters, there is little or no prayer in your life; there is a lack of desire after God and you find religion dull and meaningless.

You must turn to the Lord and find grace to help at this time of your great need. Your eyes are blind; you have no comfort. The Lord is the Author of faith.

The Necessity to Improve the Life of Faith⤒🔗

God's children know the life of faith. But faith must be utilized. As muscles must be used and improved to function properly, faith must likewise be active to be profitable. Faith must be strengthened. God's children must seek to improve the life of faith. The apostolic admonition is to follow after faith. In our trials we are called to fight the good fight of faith and in times of adversity our calling is: "Fear not, only believe." Faith can be utilized and encouraged or faith can be pushed away in despair by giving in to wrong ideas. The Christian has the calling to improve the life of faith the Lord has worked in him. The Lord has opened various ways and means to His people to improve their life of faith.

Meditating on God's Promises←⤒🔗

A Christian is called to meditate on the promises of God's Word. The Word of God has an abundance of encourage­ments to activate and strengthen faith. We mention a few only.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee (Psalm 9:9, 10).
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalm 34:22)
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7, 8)

We should remember also the classic text of Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Meditating on the promises of God's Word will cause faith to be awakened and strengthened. God's Word lifts the soul outside its own confines and demonstrates the awesome reality of God's power. God has made more promises to His people than they could ever hope for. God's promises are greater than one can ever think of or ask for. God gives protection from every evil, and abundantly supplies every temporal, spiritual and eternal blessing. A Christian is to consult these promises, as Psalm 119:24 states: Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.

Doing so will strengthen the life of faith.

Access to the Throne of Grace←⤒🔗

Another means to improve the life of faith is to consider that a child of God has received free access to the throne of God. It is most beneficial for God's children to consider this God-given right of access to the throne of grace. God has opened this right of access so we may ask Him for everything needed with the promise He will supply every need. There is nothing more encourag­ing than to have an open entrance to the Lord of lords, the God Who does wondrous things. His power, grace and help are available to His people in all circumstances.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

The Lord invites us so that we will be stirred up to go to Him with all our needs. There is open access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ, the divine Mediator.

God's Fulness←⤒🔗

Improving the life of faith is done when all our personal needs are laid before God's fulness of grace. Over against our many weaknesses and our countless deficiencies there is a fulness of grace, strength and comfort in the Lord. God is all in all. He has a never-ending supply of courage, strength, help and grace. He is almighty and all-sufficient and has the power to deliver His child from every trial. This is pointed out in Psalm 91:1: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

In the midst of his wants and necessi­ties, the apostle Paul exclaims:

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

This is not mere talk, but it is the reality of faith. Faith considers the power of God, Who delivers above and beyond the expectations of His people.

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. Psalms 62:1, 2

God gives perspective and delivers in the most difficult circumstances. Therefore the psalmist writes,

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13, 14

The echo of this is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

This is more fully explained by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:18, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God's All-Sufficiency←⤒🔗

Another means to improve the life of faith is to view the events and con­cerns of life in the light of Who God is. Compare God's sufficiency with everything that concerns you and see the all-sufficiency of God over against every deficiency in your life.

When you consider the wrath of men, think of what the Lord said in Matthew 10:28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Compare your suffering with future glory and think of Romans 8:18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Are you afflicted? Consider Hebrews 12:11:

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yield­eth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Are you worn out by your adversities while the ungodly seem to prosper? Compare God's covenant faithfulness with outward religion and think of Psalm 73:16, 17: When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Anxiety in our life is due to our not having a right view of things. All too often God's people look for things on earth that are only to be received in heaven. Too often they expect things from the creature that can only be found in God. They look for things in themselves that can only be found in Christ. They seek things from the law that can only be found in the Gospel.

God's children need to exercise and improve their faith and they would flourish greatly by doing so. They can only do this by being at the feet of Christ. He is the Author and also the Finisher of our faith.