In today’s world, a Christian must have a strong, sustainable faith. The faith I’m referring to is not the kind that we talk about having or wish we had, but a faith that is honed and sharpened from one situation to the next. It is clear from God’s Word that faith is vital to the life of a Christian. Without exercising our faith, we are no different from anyone else. So how does one establish a strong faith?

Of all the disciples Peter was the most impulsive, short-tempered, controlling, and adventurous. The most devastating blow to his faith, I believe, happened the night when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, a fellow disciple of Peter’s. Peter had every intention of standing by Christ during the His ordeal that night—after all he did step out of the boat and walk on water toward Christ, and we, too, have stepped out of our comfort zone by faith occasionally. Peter denied Christ that night, not once or twice, but three separate and deliberate times. Peter had a crisis of faith. He was afraid for his life, lied about being a follower of Christ, and tried to disappear into the crowd. We would never do such a thing—would we? We have all experienced a failure to identify with Christ at some point in our life. Okay, if I’m judging you then lets say 99.9% of us have.

In (2 Peter 1:1-12), Peter’s second general letter to the church at large, he gives a systematic method on how to establish a strong faith,

“(1) Simon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. (2) May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (3) His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (4) By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. (5) For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, (6) knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, (7) godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. (10) Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. (11) For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you. (12) Therefore, I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you have.”

I am confident that as a Christian you want a strong faith–a faith that can sustain you in the bad times and help you celebrate in the good times. The place to start is with your relationship with Christ. Do you know Him and have you made a definitive decision to accept Him as your Savior? Is your mind and your motivation focused on godly things? Recognizing true faith can be an elusive thing, but you will know when you have it. Peter learned the hard way about how to establish a strong faith. So, how are you doing? Follow the progression Peter mentions in the passage above and see what God does to help you strengthen your faith. I pray God will bless you in your journey.