Three Inches of Faith—Coming to God
The first three inch measurement of faith is a confidence in God that leads you to “come to God.” Working with addicted adults and with troubled teens, I meet a lot of people that “come to God.” They come to God every time they have a problem. But that’s about all they do. Every time they need God, they come to Him. But as soon as they are bailed out of their immediate problem, they are gone again. When you come to God, you are sure to get closer to God, because if you draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).
Now, God won’t help someone who has no measure of faith, so if these people are intentionally trying to use God, it’s unlikely He will help them. But if you come to Him in faith, He will not cast you out. People with this measure of faith may not have enough faith to stick around, but at least they have enough confidence in God to come to Him in times of urgent need.
I often have thought that God should punish people for behaving like this, but I guess that’s why I’m not God. (So I guess I should start acting like Him!) You see, this measure of faith is not enough to save you. It’s a level to gain God’s goodness as He prepares you for repentance (Rom. 2:4). But absent of belief in Jesus, you remain unregenerated and unconfident in Him.
Thus, if God is going to be good to unbelievers in Jesus who come to God without Jesus, then I should consider doing the same thing and for the same reason. The reason is quite elementary—so that they can increase their measure of faith until they reach the second three inches and gain the 6 inches of faith necessary for salvation.
Six Inches of Faith—Believe He is God
If we are patient with those who take advantage of God with their small measures of faith, they will eventually, over time hear enough of the Word to increase their faith. If they come to God, and come to God, and come to God, you will probably find them believing that He is God. More importantly, they will believe in His plan (Jesus Christ and Him crucified). This measure of faith brings salvation.
When you have this level of confidence in God and His sacrifice you have six inches of faith. Remember, this is just a metaphor to show you where different types of people are spiritually in their faith. But faith that saves is not a full measure of faith. These people have the information, but they don’t yet have the personal relation. Still, with six inches of faith out of twelve, they are half way there! Yet, unfortunately, that is where most Christians begin to slow down.
Nine Inches of Faith—Believe that He Rewards Diligent Seekers
After acquiring six inches of faith and accepting the plan of salvation, new believers are given an opportunity to grow in their faith. They begin to attend functions and join classes at church. They start fellowshipping with other believers. As they observe those who are dynamic in their faith they see that God is rewarding them.
It doesn’t take long for a new believer to realize that mature believers are indeed blessed by God. Whether they see someone donate a like-new car to a low paid godly school teacher, or they see people promoted at work that have less experience but are mature Christians, it’s noticeable right away. God shows them these blessing in the lives of others so that they will be motivated to grow their faith to the next three inches of confidence. This level teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
This represents nine inches of faith. At this level you have heard, accepted and observed the truth. You lack only one more level. That is a level of participation. This level of participation is proof of your measure of confidence in God. Without this measure of confidence, you will not participate in the final three inches of faith—the twelve inches that “please Him.”
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