Strengthening Faith
In the Christian world we frequently use the word faith, however, it is a difficult word to define since faith is a mystery. Faith is a gift that we receive within us and it is also a virtue by which we believe in God, without seeing him. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:1 and 3 ESV.
Everyone who receives the grace of faith hears the voice of the Father in their heart and receives his light that illuminates in a supernatural way, making His power visible. By faith we adhere to the objective truths presented by the Church that confirm the First Truth that comes from God, and that we relate it person by person to Christ who is our Savior.
Faith instructs us in the depths of God that are above everything mundane. If we are believers, our faith unites us spiritually at the summit of all thought. It does not mean, however, that there is unity of doctrines and behaviors because they are only elements of human affairs. As human beings we unite but that unity is only from God since faith itself is transcendental. It is a high virtue that our Heavenly Father rewards when we come to know it well and bear witness to it, despite our littleness. That is the moment when we begin to see things as they really are because the light of faith illuminates our thoughts.
We should always pay more and more attention to what the Gospel communicates to us in order to strengthen our faith. It is the way in which our spirit is more alert and the image of Christ will always be our goal and end of our life, thanks to the faith with which we live.
Obviously there will be a change in our way of living, because the Holy Spirit will lead us since He will reside within us due to our faith. Faith moves us, makes us grow internally, and our lives change, maturing it to the level that satisfies God.
In the Church, growing in faith must be a central practice, especially in current times where the world tries to push us away from it, opposing everything we do when cultivating it to strengthen ourselves. When we are presented with distractions that are not typical of the Church, only our faith can save us. We should never forget the reality that Christ presents to us in the Gospel. We are saved through trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and not by physical excitement or religious ecstasy, we are justified by faith and not by sensations or emotions.
Christ is faithful and true, and challenges us not only to have faith, but to live faithfully to God the Father, just as He did.
May God bless you.
