HOW FAITH IS ACQUIRED,
INCREASED AND PERFECTED
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 THE IMPORTANCE of faith and the need of our faith being increased, enhanced and perfected is seen several times in happenings in connection with our Lord. The apostle Paul recognized this and emphasized it.
"Lord, I Believe; 
Help Thou My Unbelief"
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 The Lord had been on the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James and John. (Mark 9:2-29). These men had the wonderful experience of witnessing the transfiguration. Momentarily the eternal glory of Christ, along with Elijah and Moses, was unveiled before them. Later the next day when they came down from the mountain, they found the other disciples confronted with a problem that they couldn’t handle. It was a pitiful situation. In vain they had tried to cast the demon out of the poor boy, the demon that had wrecked havoc in his life. The father of the lad pleadingly besought the Lord for help. Addressing everyone, Jesus said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?" Then to the father Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief."
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"Increase Our Faith"
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 Another interesting account is recorded in Luke 17:3-5. It is all about forgiveness. Our Lord taught, "If thy brother trespass…against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." This teaching really came down heavy on his disciples. It seemed to be demanding beyond their level of commitment at this time. Thus we read, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." They felt that they needed a stronger faith in order to put this teaching into practice.
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Paul’s Concern for the Thessalonians
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 It was the deep concern of the apostle Paul that new converts get off to a good start and faith was the determining factor in this. In the context of persecution, his hasty departure from Thessalonica left Paul with much anxiety about the new Christians there. Later when Timothy joined him at Athens, he was sent back, as Paul said, "to establish you [the Thessalonians], and to comfort you, concerning your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:1,2). Also, Paul said, "I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the temper have tempted you, and our labour be in vain" (3:5). On his return from this trip, Timothy brought "good tidings" concerning their faith (3:6). With this Paul was much comforted and encouraged (3:7); yet he was still earnestly praying for them, and as he said, "that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith" (3:10).
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Need for Perfecting Our Faith
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 Yes, faith is all-important in becoming and being a Christian. And, inasmuch as Christianity is called "THE FAITH" (Jude 3; 1 Timothy 4:1) and everything in Christianity hinges on faith (we are justified by faith, we walk by faith, and we are to be faithful until death), we need to be always increasing, enhancing and perfecting our faith. That is what this article is all about, how faith is acquired and perfected.
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I. "SO THEN FAITH COMETH BY HEARING,
AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD"
(ROMANS 10:17)
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 God is real. He has spoken unto us. He became incarnate in Christ to become our Savior. The Bible tells us all about it, and the gospel vocalizes the good news of these great truths.
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A. Initial Faith
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 Initial faith that produces salvation "cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). It is centered in Jesus Christ. The apostle John in reflecting on why he wrote his gospel account, said, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30,31). In the Great Commission, after the command to preach the gospel was given, the Lord said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…" (Mark 16:16).
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 This sequence of hearing, believing and being baptized is seen throughout the book of Acts. In response to Peter’s concluding words on the Day of Pentecost, "Then they that gladly received the Word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). Notice Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Then Acts 18:8 tells us that "many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." Preaching God’s Word brought about faith, conviction and surrender to God.
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B. "From Faith to Faith"
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 Paul, after saying he was ready to preach the gospel at Rome also, largely summed it up in Romans 1:16 and 17 when he said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every man that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." This ties initial faith in with what follows, "from faith to faith." These words raise the possibility of several different explanations, but the faith that brought salvation through the imputed righteousness of God is still the driving force that continues throughout the Christian’s life. It is faith from beginning to end ("The just shall live by faith"). And as we go "from faith to faith" in our walk of faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), we find grace piled upon grace (John 1:16), and as we look to the Lord, we "are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). 
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 The Word of God and the resultant faith that comes from it are what bring all of this about. Paul, as he was about to leave the Ephesians elders, strongly besought them, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). The Colossians to counter the threat of philosophy and the traditions of men were admonished to be "Rooted and built up in him [Christ], and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught [the Word], abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7). The same Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation through faith are what continue to increase our faith and sustain us in being faithful to the Lord (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
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An Admonition
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 So, we point you to the Word of God. If you want to become a believer, read the Bible. Sit under faithful gospel preaching. God is not going to artificially and arbitrarily impose faith and Himself upon you aside from His Word. This is the instrument of the Holy Spirit to convict you. Then having become a Christian, make God’s Word your companion for life. Learn all you can about the object of our faith (keep your eyes on Christ). Read the Bible daily. Increase your understanding of God, His plan, and things eternal. You will thereby perfect and enhance your faith and become strong in the Lord.
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II. OUR FAITH IS MADE STRONGER 
AND PERFECTED BY ASSOCIATING 
WITH THOSE STRONG IN FAITH
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 It has been said that water seeks its own level and birds of a feather flock together. It is common knowledge that we are influenced by our associations, whether good or bad. Before noticing the good impact of positive association, let us take a look at the negative.
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A. The Bad Impact of Negative Association
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 With decided moral overtones, Paul warned the Corinthians, "Be not deceived: evil communications [companionships] corrupt good manners [good morals]" (1 Corinthians 15:33). The writer of Proverbs had much the same thought in mind when he wrote, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul" (Proverbs 22:24,25). Paul also had in mind the influence of association, and the Judaizers especially in his eye, when he said, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9). Recognizing the dangers involved in association, the prophet Hosea in the Old Testament stated: "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone" (Hosea 4:17). Likewise, Jesus in warning about the scribes and Pharisees and their traditions said, "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14). And, carrying these thoughts a step further, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?… Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…" (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
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B. Good Comes from Positive Association
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 With these things said, let us notice the other side of the coin. If negative associations are not good for us spiritually, it is obvious that positive associations are in our best interests and from such good will come. Proverbs 13:20 verifies this, which reads, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise…"
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Admonitions to Associate
And to Admonish One Another
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 The apostle Peter identified those to whom he wrote as having "obtained like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1). That precious faith is revitalized and made stronger in the fellowship of other believers. With that in mind, the writer of the book of Hebrews warns and admonishes his readers, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:12-14). This thought is expanded further in Hebrews 10:23-25, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." These admonitions highlight the good that can come from association. That is what the public assembly is all about, as well as being in the community of believers.
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Circumstantial and 
Happenstance Association
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 The above admonitions are in the category of command. But there are associations that are circumstantial and even happenstance, which contribute greatly in shaping a person’s faith and making it stronger. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul said, "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." Timothy’s faith came natural, coming from a family of believers. Then the very example of what he saw in the apostle Paul would ever be in his memory. Paul reminded and admonished him, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith…continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them" (2 Timothy 3:10,14). Then the writer of the book of Hebrews admonished his readers, "Remember them which have the rule over you [elders, leaders], who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation [their manner of life]" (Hebrews 13:7). When we live and rub shoulders with people who are strong in faith, it makes our faith become stronger. In a sense, it rubs off on us. We see the reality of what they believe as it is lived out day by day.
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Problems in Having Association
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 It is great when we can have someone older and stronger in faith with whom we can associate. But that is not always the case today. There is an absence of Bible believing churches in the land (in the complete sense of the word), and they are even fewer in number who are really trying to put New Testament Christianity into practice. Sometimes we might only find a handful of people, or just an individual. It reminds us of one of the churches of Asia mentioned in the book of Revelation wherein only a "few names" were found to be faithful (Revelation 3:4). Many times association with those strong in faith must be sought elsewhere. Some find strength in attending gospel rallies and meetings where brethren of like minds have gathered together. Spiritual strength and encouragement also can be found by correspondence with those strong in the faith, thereby increasing one’s faith.
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 When there is no one personally to look to and with whom to associate, we are not totally at a loss. We can associate indirectly with the great men of faith through the Scriptures who have lived long ago. To get the full message of the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the last few verses of the 10th chapter and the first few of the 12th should be read. The writer calls his reader’s attention to faith and the great men of faith in days gone by to increase their faith so they could withstand the trials they were going through. He sums it up by saying, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses [the heroes of faith just mentioned in the 11th chapter], let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…" When you feel like you are alone, just remember that you really are not alone. Enhance your faith and derive spiritual strength by indirectly associating with those of faith who have lived long ago. Read your Bible.
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III. THE CONTRIBUTION OF POSITIVE THINGS 
AND NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES TO FAITH
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A. Positive Things
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 Faith is positive in nature and thrives in a positive atmosphere with other positive things. Paul makes it plain to the Galatians that the Law of Moses avails us nothing now. What really matters is "faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6). Can anything be more positive than love? And Paul says faith "worketh [is energized] by love". Read Philippians 4:6-9. When we pray, and our minds are set on the positive and wholesome things named here, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." All of the things mentioned here are mutually supportive, along with faith, being positive in nature. In such an atmosphere they thrive together.
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 Therefore, to have a healthy, vibrant faith, we need to eliminate the negative things in our lives. Negative thoughts produce negative results. Doubt, sin, ill will, questionable things, filthy literature, the negative garbage of TV, etc.—all of these things need to go. (Remember Hebrews 12:1 and 2; also 2 Corinthians 7:1). Their negative impact stifles faith, if not making shipwreck of it altogether. Faith is positive in nature and thrives in a positive atmosphere. Sin will keep us from the Bible, and the Bible will keep us from sin. Let us accent the positive and get positive results.
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B. Negative Experiences
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 Although faith is positive in nature, and usually thrives in a positive atmosphere (as we have just pointed out), sometimes it takes the trials of a negative atmosphere to perfect it. James plainly makes a statement about this. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations [various trials]; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4). The epistle of 1st Peter has much to say about suffering and trials. As his readers went through these experiences, Peter desired this in reference to them: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of
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Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6,7). A grindstone will sharpen an axe and put a cutting edge on the blade. This is likewise true regarding suffering (if we let it). Dry weather with a limited amount of rain, being a less desirable season, will make the corn take root deeper and then it can better withstand the wind and violent storms when they do come.
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IV. THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH AND 
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE ENHANCE FAITH
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A. The Good Fight of Faith
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 Paul admonished Timothy to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12). As the end of his life was nearing, Paul could declare, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). There is something about having been engaged in a spiritual battle, and winning the victory, that equips you with more strength and experience for the next go around. Your faith is made stronger. You learn to trust the Lord. As the hymn goes, "Each victory will help you some other to win."
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B. Exercise
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 Timothy was also admonished to "exercise" himself unto godliness (1 Timothy 4:7,8). Then Paul said, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Perhaps in a sense this is parallel to fighting the "good fight of faith," yet it is different. Exercise is a very important part in getting our bodies in shape physically. Likewise by faithfully practicing our religion (exercising ourselves unto godliness), the spiritual man is made stronger. It is like a child learning to walk. The exercise is good to tone the muscles, and the experience of taking a few steps gives confidence to take some more.
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V. PRAY FOR A GREATER FAITH
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 This may seem to be contradictory (James 1:6), praying for a greater faith, but it is not. In essence that is what the disciples did when they responded to the Lord, saying, "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). The same is true of the father of the boy possessed with a demon when he said, "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). We believe, but it may be a very imperfect faith, lacking trust. But it is enough faith with which to cry out to God. We can go from there to become stronger and enhance the faith that we do have. Jude admonished his readers, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost [Spirit]" (Jude, verse 20).
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