Measuring Our Faith
Parents know a lot about measuring the growth of their children. Vertically ascending lines on the wall tell the story that our child has grown taller. Likewise, bins of outgrown clothes are evidence that our child is getting bigger. We ourselves can even log measurements of our waist, chest, and arms to see the overall status of our own growth.
Measurements of our spiritual growth are, however, not as scientifically detectable. If a person’s faith is in exactly the same position as it was 12 months ago, that could either be a sign of stagnation or steadfastness. To determine which it is, a closer examination is in order: if a Christian’s faith is unchanged from a year ago in the face of numerous stressors and temptations, then that Christian is succeeding in holding fast to his/her profession. If, on the other hand, a Christian’s faith is exactly where it was a year ago because of squandered opportunities for Bible study and fellowship, that Christian’s faith is unfortunately growing cold and stale.
The same faith that pleased God in year one of our Christianity may not please Him a decade later because we live under the obligation to grow, bear fruit, and transition to the solid meat of God’s Word. God expects that we be as faithful to Him as we possibly can. This requires honest and vigorous examination of our faith to make sure it is developing as it should.