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Author
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Topic: Faith receives!
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Michael Harrison
Advanced Member
Member # 6801
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posted
Well thanks for the advice eden. But since I missed the opportunity, please let me take this time to address your question. I'll start by asking how so? How does faith realize instead of earn? Well, what is belief? Is belief something that 'earns' you a reward. Of course earns is the wrong word here. "For by grace are you saved through faith, which is not of yourself. It is the gift of God."(Eph) Then do you earn something by a gift? Can you? Does it make sense? If faith is a gift, then do you by a gift, that is, something given to you, do you earn something by what was given to you? Of couse not. Even faith is a gift. So let's look at believing. Do you earn something by believing? Or is not believing simply 'realizing' something? Do we not realize what Jesus did, and benefit thereof by believing? Is not believing simply realzing? What does scripture say (besides lots!). "To as many believed on Him 'gave' He power to become sons of God." But we did not earn anything by believing, which is faith.
The whole purpose of this passage:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
...is that we do not earn it. "Not of works," it makes clear. Then if faith were earning, faith would earn by works; for that is what works does, plainly. So faith cannot be works. And faith cannot earn anything. Faith is a gift that we may exercise, for He in HIS love and wisdom left nothing undone. HE provided even that!!!
So believe and receive. That is how HE designed it in love and simplicity. For if we had to work for it, we would all still be lost.
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Michael Harrison said quote:
Faith does not earn! Faith realizes. That is put as simply, and profoundly as can be.
When I have faith in what God said, and in exchange for that God gives me eternal life, has my faith not "earned" eternal life for me?
In what way has my faith "realized" eternal life for me? Please explain.
You also said quote:
God IS (I Am). And IS, does. Therefore faith HAS - because HE is, and IS does. You participate by faith.
You missed a perfect opportunity here to say, I participate by faith. And then you could have added, "And how about you? How do you participate"?
love, Eden
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Michael Harrison
Advanced Member
Member # 6801
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posted
Faith does not earn! Faith realizes. That is put as simply, and profoundly as can be. God is no respector of persons, and one does not merit a single thing in His sight, not a single thing. This is the most fundamental, yet difficult thing to be willing to grasp, and one is rewarded fervently when he or she realizes this. This is the gospel, and the meaning of the Cross.
God IS (I Am). And IS, does. Therefore faith HAS - because HE is, and IS does. You participate by faith.
![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif)
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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