How does it grow?
Faith comes by hearing!
It is not a feeling like so many seem to think it is...
We all need to find a good teacher.
Few find it...
The way to destruction is broad and wide.
Well? It's war. A real war.
We have not because we ask not.
In Christ.......
Faith does come by hearing but the Holy Spirit is received after believing.
How can we know that someone knows Jesus by that love which is the ultimate defining feature of the Christian life.
Christianity was never an empty doctrinal statement.
Faith is never alone, grace comes first and love follows.
Ai will explain Christian growth in faith, love and knowledge.
Yes, both Paul and John address the idea that faith and love must not be stagnant, and that spiritual growth and fervency are essential in the Christian life. Let’s break this down with
New Testament citations for each part of your question.
1. Does Paul state that faith and love must be growing?
Yes, Paul frequently emphasizes that faith and love should
increase and
grow in the life of a believer.
Here are some key verses:
a) 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)
“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
This verse is a direct affirmation that Paul
expects and
commends growth in faith and love.
b) Philippians 1:9 (ESV)
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.”
Paul is not content with static love—he prays for it to overflow and mature.
c) 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ESV)
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.”
This again highlights that love must expand and deepen over time.
d) Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
“… so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Though this emphasizes growth in knowledge, it’s part of the holistic spiritual growth Paul encourages—faith, love, and knowledge all grow together.
2. What does John mean when he says those that are lukewarm are spat out?
This comes from
Revelation 3:15–16, where Jesus (through John’s vision) addresses the church in Laodicea:
Revelation 3:15–16 (ESV)
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
What does this mean?
- Lukewarm symbolizes spiritual indifference or complacency. The Laodicean church was not fervent in faith (“hot”), nor outright opposed or rejecting of Christ (“cold”). Instead, they were in a passive, self-satisfied, ineffective state.
- The cultural context helps too: Laodicea had lukewarm water that was unpalatable—unlike the hot springs in nearby Hierapolis (used for healing) or the cold, refreshing springs in Colossae. So the metaphor would have been very striking to the original audience.
- “Spitting out” (Greek: emeō – “to vomit”) symbolizes Jesus’ strong rejection of this kind of faith. It’s a vivid image to show how displeasing spiritual lukewarmness is.
In essence:
John is warning that
half-hearted discipleship is repugnant to Christ. Jesus desires a faith that is either fervently for Him (hot) or even an honest rejection (cold) over one that pretends to care but does nothing.
Summary
- Paul teaches that faith and love must be growing and abounding, not static.
- John (in Revelation) conveys that lukewarm, apathetic faith is unacceptable to Christ and will be rejected.