Faith isn’t something that happens just once in a believer’s life. It’s like a journey where we keep building and strengthening our trust in God.
The Bible says in Jude 1:20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Also, in Colossians 2:6-7, it tells us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith…”
We can see this process of faith in John 4:47-53, where a man’s faith grows through seven stages in just a few verses. Let’s explore these stages and see how his faith develops.
1. Plea of Faith
John 4:47 – “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.”
The man hears that Jesus is nearby. His son is very sick, almost dying. Imagine how scared and desperate he feels. He decides to find Jesus because he’s heard that Jesus can heal. His faith starts by believing what others have said about Jesus. He hopes that Jesus can save his son.
2. Proving of Faith
John 4:48 – “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”
Jesus challenges the man. This might seem harsh, but it’s a test. Will the man give up or will he keep believing? The Bible says in James 1:3, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The man’s faith is being tested to make it stronger.
3. Persistence in Faith
John 4:49 – “The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.”
The man doesn’t give up. He pleads again, “Sir, please come before my child dies!” This shows he truly believes Jesus can heal his son. His faith is strong because he keeps asking, even in the face of doubt and second guessing.
4. Promise of Faith
John 4:50 – “Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”
Jesus tells him, “Go ahead; your son lives.” The man believes Jesus’ words and starts heading home. He trusts Jesus without seeing any proof. This shows his faith has grown. He believes because Jesus said so.
5. Proof of Faith
John 4:51 – “And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.”
While he’s on his way home, his servants meet him with great news: “Your son is alive!” This proves that what Jesus said was true. Think about how happy and relieved he must feel. His faith is rewarded.
6. Perception of Faith
John 4:52 – “Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”
He asks them when his son started to get better. They tell him it was at the seventh hour the day before. He realizes that this was the exact time Jesus said, “Thy son liveth.” His understanding of who Jesus is becomes clearer. His faith grows even more.
7. Propagation of Faith
John 4:53 – “So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.”
Now, not only does the man believe, but his whole family believes too. His faith has spread to others. The process of faith starts again with his family members.
Through these stages, we see how faith grows and how it can impact others. The man’s journey teaches us that our faith can bring blessings when we put it in the right place—trusting Jesus. Faith in the wrong things can lead to disappointment and hurt.
Let’s be like this man. Even when our faith is tested, let’s keep believing and trusting Christ. Our faith can grow stronger and can even help others to believe.
