An Unquenchable Fire of Faith

In His earthly ministry, Jesus often used parables and analogies to illustrate doctrinal principles. I will compare the principle of increasing faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement to building a fire.

First, you have to start out with tinder for kindling the fire. Obtaining the tinder could be compared to actively hearing and obtaining the word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). In the Bible dictionary we learn that “faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith” (BD “Faith”). Hearing others testify of Jesus Christ can ignite the tinder and kindle the beginnings of a fire of faith. This is one of the reasons we attend church each Sunday. Going to church each week to hear the testimonies of those who believe in Christ can spark renewed faith. Hearing the testimonies of living prophets also leads one to action. General Conference always provides a powerful, motivating spark to help me draw closer to God and increase my faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

After hearing the word of God, we must act. Faith increases by hearing and doing. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). If we simply hear the word of God, but don’t act in righteousness, the fire of our faith will soon burn out, and we will be left with only ashes. Acting in faith could be compared to adding twigs to the fire. Faith increases through each good work that we do. Consistent efforts to do the “small and simple things” such as studying the scriptures and praying to our Father in Heaven, will increase faith in the same way that continually adding twigs to a fire will increase the radiance of the flames (Alma 37:6).

Acting in unrighteousness could be compared to pouring water on the branches. A consistent pattern of sin makes it difficult for the fire to ever grow. Through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ the water droplets of our sins can be transformed into water vapor and allow the fire of our faith to continue burning ever more brightly!

It is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the source of the fire of our faith. His power is the oxygen that enables the reaction to take place. “He is the source of truth and light” (“I Believe in Christ, Hymns). The less we remember Jesus Christ, the harder it will be for us to increase in faith. Reversely, the more we remember Him, the easier it will be for us to increase in faith. Centering our lives on Jesus Christ catalyzes the production of our faith.

Christ declared “ye are the light of the world” and “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). When the fire of our faith is burning brightly, it gives light and warmth to those in our circle of influence.

We must all strive to build an unquenchable fire of faith. Neil L. Andersen assures: “Although your beginning fire of faith may be small, righteous choices bring greater confidence in God, and your faith grows” ("Faith is not by Chance but by Choice," October 2015 General Conference). As we continually strive to emulate the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, we will find that the spark of our faith has turned into a blazing bonfire of hope.