Not turning back in unbelief, to the extent of the promise of God, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, until fully convinced of what God promised, existing also powerful to do.Romans 4:20-21
It is an amazing verse about the faith of Abraham, and in it we have much insight unto the strengthening of our own faith. We are given a measure of faith when we believe and our faith is strengthened or perfected, Jesus being the author and perfecter of our faith. Faith is given like a small mustard seed, one of the smallest if not the smallest of seed, and when it is fully grown it is the greatest in the garden. This word for fully convinced means to fulfill (completely); (pass.) to be fully assured, convinced, persuaded; to bring full measure. God said to Abraham, go to this land, and he went and not as though he did not have doubt along the way, but that he did not turn back, instead being strengthen in faith until it was fully grown. When faith was brought to full measure then Abraham was fully convinced of what God promised he would do. Until faith becomes fully convincing there will be doubt along the way, but do not turn back, be strengthened in faith until you are fully convinced, like Abraham.
I tell you the truth, if having faith and not turning back, not only will you do to this fig tree but even if you say to this mountain, take away and throw into the sea, it will become.Matthew 21:21
Jesus said this and "for the one who possesses present, also to increase, but the one whoever not having, even what having is taken away."* Was not the man given money? yes, but he hid it. If he had money how can he not have and how can what he not have be taken away? because Jesus wasn't talking about money, but faith. A key word here is possessing, which means to have, to hold, to seize. The scriptures say all are called but few are chosen, all are given but few possess, take hold, and even fewer do not turn back. This word for turning back is from two words "through" and "judge," so "through" and "choose, approve, judge, discern, rule, contend together," or through the proving of faith. Also the word means to contend together, of warriors and combatants which speaks of Jacob contending with man and God until he was blessed. And how did God bless him? faith, Jacob too, became fully convinced that what God promised he would do.
But ask in faith not one turning back for this one is like waves of the sea, driven by the wind tossed about.James 1:6
This word for turning back also means to separate, put asunder; to pick out, select, choose, to approve, esteem, to prefer, to be of opinion, deem, think, to determine, resolve, decree, to contend together, and to judge which means to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong. In this we see the proving of our faith, it is contending, it is in enduring the trial, not turning back, but being strengthened in faith. Like Jacob and like Abraham who did not turn back, James writes, if we look intently into truth, abiding in truth, not a forgetful hearer but an active doer, we will be blessed.* What blessing do we receive? one is liberty, if you abide, in truth, you will know the truth and be set free. This is how our faith is increased, abiding in the word of God, which transforms us, renews the mind so that we prove, or become fully convinced and accept God;w will as perfect and good. And this is unbelief, we truly don't believe that God will heal us, or deliver us... the mountain of unbelief is too high for to overcome.
And the apostles said to the Lord, increase our faith!Luke 17:5
This word for increase means add to, increase ; (pass.) to be brought to, given. What increases faith? Anxiety and worry doesn't add to.* Paul writes living to the letter of the law doesn't strengthen, nor principles of do not touch, taste, nor handle. "Instead, search after his Kingdom and it will be added unto you."* Search as to look for, seek out; to try to obtain, desire to possess, strive for as if it is treasure, seek, look for, desire, wish, want, require, demand, ask for, to inquire or ask questions, question. Contend together as Jacob, struggle to surmount, as warriors and combatants do, for the kingdom of God is to be sought after more than gold and silver. The Kingdom of God is like a man finding treasure in a field, who sold all he had to possess it. It is like a persistent man contending with his neighbor, give me bread! Like a persistent widow, contending with an unjust judge, give me justice! Search, possess, take hold. Seek and you will find, ask and it will be given, knock and the door will be opened to you.*
if you possess faith like as a mustard seed, if saying to this sycamore, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and as if obeying you.Luke 17:6
The faith of Abraham we see in the parable of sowing, in fact Paul writes the gospel was preached to Abraham beforehand. Abraham believed, took hold, possessed as a small measure, faith, like a tiny mustard seed. The seedling then grew but things tried to choke it out, but he did not turn back because of unbelief but was strengthened until fully grown. What happens in the increasing or growing is the proving of our faith, it is the testing in trials, it is contending, considering, and having understanding in truth, and the key to enduring is not a matter of whether we have doubt but that we do not turn back but are strengthened in faith. Faith is active or energized in love, so the energy of agape love helps persuade in truth.*
... but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and fully convinced that what God promised existing also powerful to do.Romans 4:20-21
Think about it, Abraham heard God say go to this land, and he left all and went. How would he know this voice was God speaking to him? But he heard and received, taking hold, possessing it. And we know faith exists assurance, hope, and conviction of things unseen.* As he left and traveled to this new land do you think he did not doubt? When he arrived there was a famine in the land, do you think he did not doubt? They left and went to Egypt but Abraham literally did not turn back and go home, but was strengthened in faith. And then God said Abraham sacrifice your son. Again how did Abraham believe this was God? Some say it took at least three days to get to the mountain for the sacrifice, do you think he did not doubt? But Abraham did not turn back but was strengthened in faith until he was fully convinced that what God promised he was powerful to do. By increasing in faith we can move mountains, mountains of unbelief, of addictions, mountains of bad reports, of tumors and cancer.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or not being circumcised strengthens anyone, but faith energized in agape love.Galatians 5:6
If I have faith that moves mountains but have not agape love, I exist no one.* No one, meaning I am no one, not of faith. Think about it, if I say I have faith but do not love, my faith is dead. Faith is energized through agape love, thus it produces deeds of love. James and Paul agree, if we say we have faith but do not have deeds of love our faith is nothing or dead. Or said another way if I say I have faith without love I am no one, not of the faith of Abraham. Some have turned back, severed themselves from Christ, fallen from grace in which we stand, going back to a justification by works, these have many deeds of good works but not agape love for one another, thus not possessing the faith of Abraham and will never be a light unto the world. But we serve one another, strengthening in faith active through love.
for you brothers are called to freedom, only do not use your freedom as opportunity for the flesh but through agape love serve one another.Galatians 5:13
When the mountains seem too big do not turn back, remember how God has before proven himself faithful and trustworthy and be strengthened in faith. Press on, there is blessing ahead, a fully convincing, a proving of maturity, perfection, a taking hold, a possessing of the faith of Abraham.