FAITH AND FRUITS

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers” (Acts 16:5).

Faith is a catalyst for fruitfulness. 

Paul's mission was to the Gentiles. Within a certain period, there was a great disagreement on the message of Gospel that had reached the Gentiles. Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching that “unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1, 15). They premised salvation on circumcision. This created disorder among different groups in the church since a group was for, and another was against this argument. This case was presented to the Jerusalem Council. The council, which comprised of Peter, James, John, Paul, Barnabas and other church leaders sat and addressed the issue. At the end of long deliberations, Peter addressed the house and a solution was agreed upon. So Paul, on his second missionary journey went to the churches among the Gentiles to speak to them about the decision of the council. “ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey”. (Acts 16:4) After he gave this message to them, the Bible says “the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers” (Acts 16:5). The good news was that, circumcision is not a requirement for salvation. When they heard this, their faith was strengthened. This suggests that, their faith was weakened by the previous teachings. They were doubting their salvation; doubt is not faith, remember.

The devil is still in this kind of business today, giving us false teachings that question us of our faith in God and the assurance of our salvation. This weakens our faith and makes us less fruitful. The Gentiles were wondering whether they were saved without circumcision or will be saved rather, when they circumcise. This happens to us sometimes. We wonder if we have to do something special to feel right with God. Actually, faith in God isn't feeling right but being made right with God; it’s a position, rather than an emotion. And being right with God is first by faith. Faith is not a feeling, faith is an intuition, an assurance.

You see, the Gentiles didn't like the idea of circumcision because it wasn't their culture, they were not familiar with it. That is what made most of them give up their faith, thereby reducing the church’s numbers. We sometimes try to force so many cultural beliefs and practices into Christianity to the extent that things begin to get complicated, and our numbers reduce (we become less fruitful) because our faith gets weaker. People's faith have been drowned because culture was preached, rather than the Word of faith. Most of our cultural beliefs, taught in church make us unnecessary slaves. My advice therefore is, do not over emphasize on things God himself is silent on. Such things should be left for the Holy Spirit to throw His light on. 

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). The Bible said when their faith increased, their numbers increased; ‘their numbers’ here suggests fruitfulness. You don't only have faith as an end - you become fruitful. But you first need to hear the right things [read my article on ‘Hearing’ - ] that will catalyze your faith to produce fruits. When our faith increases, we increase in fruitfulness; it's hypothetical. Salvation begins with faith, spiritual growth deals with faith, and fruitfulness comes as a result of an increased faith.

Faith produces fruits!

May the Lord mend our nets!