Christian Message Boards: faith in God

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Posted by walkbyfaith (Member # 10538) on :

One of the most dangerous beliefs around i believe is faith in God is all we need to be saved. The danger is faith in God is vague. Faith in Christ is what brings salvation. This faith is represented by making Christ Lord of our life. The Bible says many will say Lord Lord but will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Also we have read faith without works is dead. For faith in Christ produces fruit of the Spirit. As Americans we use the phrase in God we trust, but really if we trust what God has done in sending Jesus to die for our sins that we might have life, are we living it? The reap what we sow verse and judged according to our works throws out grace without justice.
God is not mocked if we do not seek to live according to his will, than how will we say we are bought by the blood of Christ? God will not look lightly on those who step on the sacrifice of Christ. The mercy of God comes in that we are all sinners and will need to confess and repent often in our lives. Faith is more than a belief that God exists. Scripture says you believe in God the devils also believe and tremble. The demons are not saved, yet they still know God exists they just wont follow him.
He that gives up his life will find it, he that keeps it shall lose it. Submitting our lives to God brings salvation, for our souls our no longer under the condemnation of the flesh. For to live according to the Spirit is life. This is where the scripture fits in. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. For when our faith is real we are not living according to the flesh, and are no longer comfortable with living to the desires of our flesh. We are absent from our bodies to be present with the Lord in Spirit.
So lets make faith what its meant to be. Not some belief in some God we are not meant to understand, but a God we are called to seek and know in all that we do.

Posted by Chaplain Bob (Member # 5019) on :

Have you never heard that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same. Nit-picking profits no one.

Posted by walkbyfaith (Member # 10538) on :

Did you read the whole topic or just the first sentence? We wouldn't call Jesus the Father just like we wouldn't call the Holy Spirit our brother. They may be one in that they are united in will and purpose, but why does Jesus have a throne on the right side of the Father's? Just like men and woman have different roles Christ has a different role in the trinity. Jesus was sent to be our Savior. Scripture says he that honors the Son honors the Father, because the Father has glorified his Son. That's not nitpicking it;s God's design.
God would not have any of us tell half truths especially when it comes to the salvation of our souls. The Bible says in the last days men will get itching ears. They will want people to teach them what they want to hear rather than what God commands us too. We can't be deceitful or crafty with the word of God for then it will profit nooone

Posted by Carol Swenson (Member # 6929) on :

Very nice post walkbyfaith.

The Holy Trinity is not something we can understand or explain. It's a quality of the Godhead beyond human reasoning, much like the fact that God has always existed without a beginning, and much like the fact that He created everything from nothing.

I think the following is one of my favorite articles about the Trinity.

Trinity

God is One and Three

"This is what the LORD says—
Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD
Almighty: I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God."
ISAIAH 44:6

The Old Testament constantly insists that there is only one God, the self-revealed Creator, who must be worshiped and loved exclusively (Deut. 6:4-5; Isa. 44:6-45:25). The New Testament agrees (Mark 12:29-30; 1 Cor. 8:4; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5) but speaks of three personal agents, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working together in the manner of a team to bring about salvation (Rom. 8; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:2). The historic formulation of the Trinity (derived from the Latin word trinitas, meaning "threeness") seeks to circumscribe and safeguard this mystery (not explain it; that is beyond us), and it confronts us with perhaps the most difficult thought that the human mind has ever been asked to handle. It is not easy; but it is true.

The doctrine springs from the facts that the New Testament historians report, and from the revelatory teaching that, humanly speaking, grew out of these facts. Jesus, who prayed to his Father and taught his disciples to do the same, convinced them that he was personally divine, and belief in his divinity and in the rightness of offering him worship and prayer is basic to New Testament faith (John 20:28-31; cf. 1:18; Acts 7:59; Rom. 9:5; 10:9-13; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; Phil. 2:5-6; Col. 1:15-17; 2:9; Heb. 1:1-12; 1 Pet. 3:15). Jesus promised to send another Paraclete (he himself having been the first one), and Paraclete signifies a many-sided personal ministry as counselor, advocate, helper, comforter, ally, supporter (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). This other Paraclete, who came at Pentecost to fulfill this promised ministry, was the Holy Spirit, recognized from the start as a third divine person: to lie to him, said Peter not long after Pentecost, is to lie to God (Acts 5:3-4).

So Christ prescribed baptism "in the name (singular: one God, one name) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"—the three persons who are the one God to whom Christians commit themselves (Matt. 28:19). So we meet the three persons in the account of Jesus' own baptism: the Father acknowledged the Son, and the Spirit showed his presence in the Son's life and ministry (Mark 1:9-11). So we read the trinitarian blessing of 2 Corinthians 13:14, and the prayer for grace and peace from the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:4-5 (would John have put the Spirit between the Father and the Son if he had not regarded the Spirit as divine in the same sense as they are?). These are some of the more striking examples of the trinitarian outlook and emphasis of the New Testament. Though the technical language of historic trinitarianism is not found there, trinitarian faith and thinking are present throughout its pages, and in that sense the Trinity must be acknowledged as a biblical doctrine: an eternal truth about God which, though never explicit in the Old Testament, is plain and clear in the New.

The basic assertion of this doctrine is that the unity of the one God is complex. The three personal "subsistences" (as they are called) are coequal and coeternal centers of self-awareness, each being "I" in relation to two who are "you" and each partaking of the full divine essence (the "stuff" of deity, if we may dare to call it that) along with the other two. They are not three roles played by one person (that is modalism), nor are they three gods in a cluster (that is tritheism); the one God ("he") is also, and equally, "they," and "they" are always together and always cooperating, with the Father initiating, the Son complying, and the Spirit executing the will of both, which is his will also. This is the truth about God that was revealed through the words and works of Jesus, and that undergirds the reality of salvation as the New Testament sets it forth.

The practical importance of the doctrine of the Trinity is that it requires us to pay equal attention, and give equal honor, to all three persons in the unity of their gracious ministry to us. That ministry is the subject matter of the gospel, which, as Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus shows, cannot be stated without bringing in their distinct roles in God's plan of grace (John 3:1-15; note especially vv. 3, 5-8, 13-15, and John's expository comments, which NIV renders as part of the conversation itself, vv. 16-21). All non-Trinitarian formulations of the Christian message are by biblical standards inadequate and indeed fundamentally false, and will naturally tend to pull Christian lives out of shape.

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs.

Posted by TB125 (Member # 2450) on :

For another explanation of the Trinity see my statement here: The Trinity

Posted by walkbyfaith (Member # 10538) on :

This has went from a topic about faith to the trinity, but that' ok, because that's what we believe, and what we believe the scriptures testifies of.

For there are three that bear witness in Heaven scriptures say
How many times in scripture do we see this phrased in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It's really hard to compare this to anything on Earth, because nothing is like it.
Even an army has a Commander, Generals, and infantry that are the same platoon, and maybe same will, but they all have their own opinions and beliefs. Where God can't even be compared to this for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit share the same beliefs for they are absolute truths. They share the same will for scripture says the Son can do nothing but what the Father shows him. They even are sent out by each other, and drawn in to each other. While they each have their own name to be glorified they are One God.
Unfathomable you say. Shall the potter say why have you made me thus, or the clay question the Creator? what we certainly can understand is each person of the Godhead has their role. The Father is the command center and where all things originate. Without the Father there would be no Son or Holy Spirit. The Father sent his Son. The Father honors the Son. The Father has submitted all power under Christ. Including giving Christ the power to send the Holy Spirit unto men.
This is all scriptural and if you have any questions where it is I will help. Now Jesus role is to be our Savior and our Lord. He maintained this cause through the crucifixion. For many reasons this has helped Christ to be our Lord and Savior.In dying for sinful man he paid the sin debt for those who will believe. You have to believe? why?
This goes off topic but it has to be brought up. Jesus is part of God. Scripture says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Then a few verses later in John it says and the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the only begotten Son of God. You understand there it states Jesus was before the world began. I could quote many more scriptures including one that says all things were made for Christ and nothing was made wihout him.
So we have to believe in this sacrifice because God made it. We also have to accept it as a sacrifice for our sins so Christ can bring us cleansing through his grace, and redemption through his blood. Grace is a gift from God through Jesus , but gifts are meant to be opened and received. For this is a gift of ultimate love to reject it is to deny God's love in your life. Not only denying his love but all power and good he can do through you by that love.
Now back on topic Jesus was sent for the purpose of salvation and redemption to draw us back to God. For sin stole our relationship with God. Jesus came in the form of man to die for us. This was to save us in a few ways. For one in being made in man's likeness he could suffer for sin, because in Heaven and in his glorified body he could not suffer. Secondly he could prove God's truth and character in being tempted as a man yet not giving into sin. Which also made the sacrifice worthy because he was the Lamb without blemish. Third he broke the curse through a blessing. He conquered death and became our Resurrection unto eternal life.
Now lets talk about Jesus our Lord returned to power in Heaven. Don't take this lightly. For God the Father has put all the angels below him, and every thing under Heaven. That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. Lets talk about his roles as Lord now. Scriptures say he is the mediator between God and man, and no man comes to the Father but by the Son. There is no direct connection to God the Father unless we are connecting through his Son. He's earned this favor, for you are bought with a price the precious blood of Christ. That is why the name of Jesus is above all names, and we use in Jesus name we pray.
Scripture also says Jesus stands before the Father on our behalf. He is our Justifier. Could think of a lawyer fighting for your innocence, but it goes way beyond that. How often does Jesus pray for you? You don't think he does. Scripture has recorded one such prayer when Jesus prayed for all those who believed in him even through the words of the prophets and disciples. Jesus is love personified he has your name on his lips loved one believe in that, and you know your inheritance as a child of God and family to Christ.
In suffering for us scripture says Jesus know how to help us through our sufferings. He became a Lord that understands us more. He also understands temptation and can help us through it. We also have his name and with it is power in faith. Even as scripture says our victory is in Christ.
Then Jesus is our inheritance. Through him we have an inheritance in Heaven. Scripture says he goes to prepare a place for us, and even that there are many mansions in Heaven. So even now Jesus could be creating that New Heaven for us. Getting ready for that great feast day when all the family of God will be together.
Lastly Jesus sends the Holy Spirit even as he was sent of the Father. This is what the apostles waited for, and what Christians should call being born again. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to those who accept the cross as the penalty for their sin,and name Jesus as their Savior and Resurrection life. For if you will confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. But don't stop there Jesus is more than a Savior he's Lord. If you do not submit your life to him how will he send his Spirit to lead you.
Now we are at the Holy Spirits role. Are bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit as born again Christians. The first role we will talk about is the leading of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is like our antenna from God when it comes to direction. It leads us unto all truth scripture says, and searches the deep things of God. It gives us direction and teaches us God's will. Where Jesus spoke the truth the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to it. The scripture says we become a new creature because the flesh has given control to the spirit.
The Holy Spirit teaches us. It directs us unto all truth. Scripture says we don't even know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us. The Spirit teaches us the words to speak and the works to accomplish. Yet even this is a growth process as we grow into the image of our Lord, and seek to glorify him
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts. Like speaking in tongues, healing, ministry, prophesy, and many others. The Spirit brings blessing from God, and often favor. All good things come from God, and God knows how to give good gifts. There is much power in the Spirit to give.
The Holy Spirit is a Comforter. God's love is poured out through the power of the Holy Spirit. Through that love comes miracles, and hearts touched by his mercy abound. When we go through trials it is the Holy Spirit there to encourage , strengthen, and ultimately comfort us. Faith has many trials and the comfort of the Holy Spirit and knowing God is there with you is beautiful. How many times have we cried and felt the touch of that sweet Spirit? God is love.
The Holy Spirit is a seal. A seal that you are owned by God. It is the seal of trusting God. Imagine having the seal of the greatest King that ever lived or will ever live. Knocks some umph out of the old serpent. Hold up that banner and know your heritage that's how you win this battle. The devil doesn't own any part of you. You might loan him parts of yourself , but in Christ you can break those chains. The only thing preventing you from standing up and shaking off that oldness is unforgiveness, doubt, or false pride. Our pride is in God and his mercy, and who he has named us to be in it.
Lastly the Holy Spirits role is a sanctifier. He is there to make you holy. He does this through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love, patience, joy,longsuffering, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galatians 5:22 We produce these fruits as we abide in him, and we abide in him by listening and submitting our lives to God rather than our own flesh. Continuing in his love and love for others will produce all these fruits. This role to sanctify us is the ultimate goal for then he has done his job to glorify God. In producing these fruits we are blessed and bless the world, and know God more.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

quote:
Originally posted by walkbyfaith:
This has went from a topic about faith to the trinity, but that' ok, because that's what we believe, and what we believe the scriptures testifies of.

For there are three that bear witness in Heaven scriptures say
How many times in scripture do we see this phrased in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It's really hard to compare this to anything on Earth, because nothing is like it.

Sorry thats simply is not true. The trinity has many examples in the physical world.

For Me as a Boiler operator for 30 years plus it was the trinity of

FIRE = Fuel + Air + Temp

That helped me.

WATER can exist as a Liquid, Solid or Gas.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

[cool_shades]

Posted by walkbyfaith (Member # 10538) on :

I wasn't saying there was nothing that comes close in the world to the Trinity but that nothing perfectly compares to it. For we could compare ourselves heart mind and soul, but it just doesn't glorify how great the Trinity is. Nothing can fully encompass God in this world, and the glory of the Trinity.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

quote:
Originally posted by walkbyfaith:
I wasn't saying there was nothing that comes close in the world to the Trinity but that nothing perfectly compares to it. For we could compare ourselves heart mind and soul, but it just doesn't glorify how great the Trinity is. Nothing can fully encompass God in this world, and the glory of the Trinity.

No that is not what you 1st posted and you really need to read the text I posted.

[cool_shades]

Posted by walkbyfaith (Member # 10538) on :

Im sorry you feel that way maybe you could get over what you think i say and get to the heart of it. The only thing you could attack there was minor, maybe you should pick your wars better. Oh but I guess that would be what's wrong with men of war they don't chose their battles wisely.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

quote:
Originally posted by walkbyfaith:
Im sorry you feel that way maybe you could get over what you think i say and get to the heart of it. The only thing you could attack there was minor, maybe you should pick your wars better. Oh but I guess that would be what's wrong with men of war they don't chose their battles wisely.

Sorry don't walk by "Feelings" but by faith.

[cool_shades]