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Author
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Topic: FAITH
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Subject: "Faith". Brother Cornelius Stam wrote, in part:
Faith is often confused with presumption, optimism, determination, superstition and imagination. Actually it is simply believing. This is why we read in:
Romans 4:5:
"But to him who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
His faith is counted for righteousness, because God so loves those who believe that what God has said is REALLY TRUE, that God will SOVEREIGNLY give ETERNAL LIFE to all those who believe that God REALLY MEANT THAT.
And so the Bible say in Romans 4:5:
Romans 4:5:
"But to him who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Our faith is COUNTED TO US for righteousness. That means WE HAVE TO DO NOTHING BUT BELIEVE IN HIM WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY. Where is the work involved there, please?
"Faith" is "work" only in this sense, that "believing" IS an active somthing that I do. But once having believed that Jesus is the Lord from heaven who died in my place, then "that belief is counted to me for righteousness". PERIOD.
love, Eden who was never in Eden, nor in Chilmad
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Hi, Carol Swenson, good to hear from you again, eventho you withstood me on various occasions. I'm glad you are back on the wall of Fortress Jesus.
Be blessed. Eden
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oneinchrist
Advanced Member
Member # 6532
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posted
Welcome back Carol!
I had hoped that I didnt offend you to the point that you would never return again.
With love in Christ, Daniel
Posts: 1389 | From: Wind Lake, WI | Registered: May 2007
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
Good topic WildB. Thank you.
EFFECTIVE FAITH
How can we know our faith is effective?
BIBLE READING: Luke 17:1-10
KEY BIBLE VERSE: One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.” (Luke 17:5, TLB)
Effective faith depends on God. The disciples’ request was genuine; they wanted the faith necessary for radical forgiveness. But Jesus didn’t directly answer their question because the amount of faith is not as important as its genuineness. What is faith? It is total dependence on God and a willingness to do his will. Faith is not something we use to put on a show for others. It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever he calls us to do. The amount of faith isn’t as important as the right kind of faith—faith in our all-powerful God.
Effective faith is more concerned with its life than its size. A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and growing. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. Almost invisible at first, it will begin to spread, first under the ground and then visibly. Although each change will be gradual and imperceptible, soon this faith will have produced major results that will uproot and destroy competing loyalties. We don’t need more faith; a tiny seed of faith is enough, if it is alive and growing.
BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11
KEY BIBLE VERSE: So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1, TLB)
Effective faith rests on what Christ has done. As Paul states clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:13, faith, hope, and love are at the heart of the Christian life. Our relationship with God begins with faith, which helps us realize that we are delivered from our past by Christ’s death. Hope grows as we learn all that God has in mind for us; it gives us the promise of the future. And God’s love fills our life and gives us the ability to reach out to others.
BIBLE READING: Hebrews 10:19-39
KEY BIBLE VERSE: And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them. (Hebrews 10:38, TLB)
Effective faith grows under pressure. Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their Christian faith and conduct when facing persecution and pressure. We don’t usually think of suffering as good for us, but it can build our character and our patience. During times of great stress, we may feel God’s presence more clearly and find help from Christians we never thought would care. Knowing that Jesus is with us in our suffering and that he will return one day to put an end to all pain helps us grow in our faith and our relationship with him (see Romans 5:3-5).
Effective faith becomes stronger through endurance. The writer encourages his readers not to abandon their faith in times of persecution, but to show by their endurance that their faith is real. Faith means resting in what Christ has done for us in the past, but it also means hoping for what he will do for us in the future (see Romans 8:12-25; Galatians 3:10-13).
BIBLE READING: Hebrews 11:1-40
KEY BIBLE VERSE: What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (Hebrews 11:1, TLB)
Effective faith is hopeful anticipation. Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.
Effective faith is quiet certainty. Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character—he is who he says. The end point is believing in God’s promises—he will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31).
(The Handbook of Bible Application)
What is Christian Faith?
Here is a link to TB125's answer:
http://christianityetc.org/faith.php
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
by Cornelius R. Stam
Faith is one of the most precious treasures a man can possibly possess. It is a pity that so few understand what the Bible teaches about it.
Faith is often confused with presumption, optimism, determination, superstition and imagination. Actually it is simply believing. This is why we read in Rom. 4:5:
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Obviously, faith honors God, while doubting His Word must insult and displease Him. The Apostle John wrote:
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.... He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.
"And this is the record: that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son"
(I John 5:9-11).
Little wonder that we read in Heb. 11:6:
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
But why did God give the law, if salvation can be obtained by simple faith? St. Paul answers:
"The law was our schoolmaster, to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24).
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law"
(Rom. 3:31).
How grateful we all should be that God, in the Bible, has told us about redemption through Christ and how we may be saved by faith in Him!
"[Christ] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 4:25; 5:1).
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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