|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 19, 2022 9:44:25 GMT -8
As humans if we’re not careful, we will conjure up in our minds a picture of God as a sort of heavenly examiner who has decided, quite arbitrarily, that he is going to set just one standard as his criterion of passing or failing. Anyone who has faith passes; anyone who does not fails. And not only does that seem arbitrary; if we take the popular view of faith as the next best thing to sheer gullibility, it is decidedly unfair. Why should some people have preferential treatment just because they happen to be capable of swallowing whole certain ideas which other people, perhaps the majority, simply cannot take at any price?
Well I am going to try an oppose these ideas in this thread. I will start with this quote:
“Faith is the key that unlocks the treasure chest of heaven. Faith is the key that moves the hand of the Almighty. Faith is the key by which you can obtain the desires of your heart. Faith is that which pleases God.” by Dr. Fred. K.C. Price
The first thing I would like to point out especially at those who might have the idea that faith is a total certainty about the meaning of life, a complete and clear knowledge of God that enables the person of faith to march calmly through life without batting an eyelid at all the problems and difficulties most of us face. People who think that is what real faith is like that (whether they are Christians or not) usually end up either in gross self-deception or in wondering why they seem to find faith so difficult. Or They join one of the various cults that are so prevalent today. s
To all this the writer to the Hebrews says plainly: no, you’ve got it wrong. Faith is the opposite of sight. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:7–9
Then there are the Heros from the Hall of Faith recorded in the book of Hebrews chapter 11
God says, “Noah, there’s a flood coming: go and build an ark”—and Noah, presumably enduring the scorn of the local weather prophets, goes ahead and builds it. God says, “Abraham, I want you to leave the place where you’ve been born and bred, and to head off somewhere else; never mind where for the moment. I’ve got plans for you.” Abraham abandons his security and walks by faith, not sight, to the land, God was going to give to his descendants. God says, “Sarah, you are going to have a son.” In human terms it was impossible. And yet Sarah, behind the nervous and uncertain giggle that Genesis records, believes it, and Isaac is born.
(Paraphrase by That Obadiah guy.)
So, you can see in each case that the people who were talked about in Hebrews 11 are not super mystics who live on a different plane from the rest of us. They are not granted a heavenly map of world events to come. They are given bare promises—that if they go up this particular cul-de-sac God will open before them a door which they could never have dreamed of. God is saying, He has a plan for our lives.
“God has prepared wonderful things for those who love him”—but, as the same passage says, “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived” just what those things are. 1 Corinthians 2:9
Faith is the opposite of sight. But we do have hindsight which enables us to look back and to see what God has done in our life and where He has brought us. And most importantly how His hand has been upon us. He is not done with us yet!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 19, 2022 16:13:22 GMT -8
Making Faith a way of life for me is one of the first rules I like to go by. Faith is not “Name it and Clam it” and is it not the “Prosperity Gospel Message”. Romans 1:17 tells us “That the just shall live by faith.” Faith in action ...(believing and acting on God's Word...The Bible)... should be a way of life for every Christian, primarily because it pleases God.
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrews 11:6
That tells me if I diligently seek to do the will of our Heavenly Father, He will do what He says He will do in His Word, particularly since Psalm 138:2 says He has Magnified His word above His name.
I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your Name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name! Psalm 138:2
Therefore, we can have the utmost confidence in the Lord and in His willingness to act on our behalf if we are acting in accordance with His will and His purpose.
This is where Spiritual Warfare comes into play. Because there are opposing spiritual forces surrounding us that are continuously attempting to make God's word Ineffective in our lives and hinders our Witness to non-believers.
One thing's for sure you have to wait on the Lord for the manifestation of what we have prayed for and are believing God for it may take some time. Remembering that what we pray for must be in alignment with God's will.
According to Romans 12:3, Every believer, upon being born again, is dealt the measure of faith, but it is up to the individual to develop that faith into a viable force to be used for The Kingdom of God.
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. Romans 12:3
|
|
|
|
Post by civic on Aug 20, 2022 5:02:54 GMT -8
I love how you said in the title of this thread " our faith " as some do not believe its our faith.
Here is how some would rewrite Jesus words below and add to scripture things that were never said nor implied.
Parenthesis is Calvinism false assertion below
Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith ( I have given you )hath saved thee; go in peace.
Luke 8:48
"Daughter," said Jesus, "your faith ( I have given you )has healed you. Go in peace."
Luke 17:19
Then Jesus said to him, "Rise and go; your faith( I have given you ) has made you well!"
Luke 18:42
"Receive your sight!" Jesus replied. "Your faith( I have give you ) has healed you."
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Matthew 9:2
Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.
Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take courage, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was cured from that very hour.
Matthew 9:29
Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you."
Matthew 15:28
"O woman," Jesus answered, "your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Mark 5:34
"Daughter," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction."
Mark 10:52
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
John 4:53
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
hope this helps !!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 20, 2022 6:10:16 GMT -8
I love how you said in the title of this thread " our faith " as some do not believe its our faith. Thanks for your reply civic, I'm doing a deep dive on the principles of our faith. So, I'm praying that God reveals more to me on this topic and I will have more to share later on today. Have a blessed one! |
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 20, 2022 13:06:27 GMT -8
Faith part 2. Our lifestyle must coincide with God's Word.
I'll go with faith comes by repeatedly hearing the word as we are told in Romans 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).”
And this is then developed by putting the Word into action making sure that we are living in line with God's Word. We should have no strife (repressed anger, hatred, unforgiveness, resentment or envy) in our hearts against anyone including ourselves. If we are not watchful in this area we may short-circuit our faith. That can hinder our relationship with Our Heavenly Father.
This is where a good understanding Lordship Salvation can help. I'm not talking Works Salvation. They are two completely different topics.
That said we must be willing to live moral and holy lives in keeping with Bible doctrine. None of us can do this perfectly this side of eternity.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one,
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
One thing I have found that helps me is daily time in prayer time and in The Word. If faith is the opposite of sight, it is also the opposite of doubt.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
In 2 Corinthians 4:18 we are told Faith is the assurance of things not seen. Beck’s American Translation puts it: “Faith is being sure of the things we hope for, being certain of the things we do not see.”
There is, of course, all the room you like for honest doubt about things we cannot yet know. In Hebrews 11:8 Abraham didn’t know where he was going to end up. But by his obedience he showed that he was utterly confident that God would be true to his word.
As the writer says a few verses later, these people died in faith, not having yet received the promises but having seen them at a distance, and being persuaded of them, and having embraced them. People who live by faith may not know where they are going. They do nonetheless have certainty—certainty in the God who called them and leads them.
Have faith He will lead us all the way Home!
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 21, 2022 7:29:23 GMT -8
Faith part 3. Growing in Faith
Paul rejoiced that the Christians in Thessalonica were growing in faith:
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing". 2 Thessalonians 1:3
So, what does it mean to grow in faith?
If you want to grow spiritually you need to grow in faith. It is to mature in both knowledge of God and in godly living; ultimately, it is to become more like Christ. Just as a person grows physically from infant to mature adult, a Christian's life is designed to grow spiritually from baby to mature Christian.
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." Peter 2:2-3
To grow in faith involves growing in God's Word and also its application.
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child." Hebrews 5:12-13 (believers who had failed to grow in faith)
What about “Childlike Faith” The Bible never exhorts us to have “childlike” faith, at least not in so many words.
In Matthew 18:2 Jesus says that we must “become as little children” in order to enter the kingdom of God. The context of Jesus’ statement is the disciples’ question, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (verse 1). In response, Jesus “called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me’”
To me it would seem we need to come to Jesus with childlike faith when we first get saved then grow in our faith.
Paul also used similar words to condemn some of the practices of Christians in Corinth:
"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Paul says that he began with feeding them "milk" or with spiritual basics. Yet they were still not ready for solid food, as their maturity was lacking.
You can see a lack of spiritual maturity displayed on some Christian forums with a lot of the conflicts going on. We hope to avoid that here. I pray our faith will grow here.
So, wrapping this up I can't overemphasize, it takes time for our faith to develop, as it only grows as it is exercised. In other words, like a farmer who plants a corn seed, there is a time span for that seed to grow into a full stock of corn. The farmer first plants the seed then he tends it by watering and caring for the seed, then the plant starts to sprout and the farmer continues to tend and care for the plant until it grows into a full stock, and a harvest of corn is ready.
Our faith is like that corn seed, but the faith seed is watered and cared for by continually confessing the word, acting on the word, and believing and meditating on the word until an image of what we are using our faith for becomes a part of us, living within our spirits, then it brings forth its harvest.
Growing in faith requires both time and effort. God ultimately causes the growth, yet He expects us to follow His ways and seek to grow, becoming mature followers of Jesus who can help make disciples of others.
19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be). Matthew 28:19-20
And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 22, 2022 4:54:40 GMT -8
Faith Part 4. God always honors His Word
Another important thing to remember about faith is that we cannot act first then expect God come into line with our actions. That is putting our self-first and it never works. I have found if we put God first then “Wait expectantly”… we will have The joy of the Lord. To have faith means to have a mindset that expects God to act.
“O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:1-5
“Wait expectantly”… To have faith means to have a mindset that expects God to act. The Bible is full of promises where God tells us He will do something; and the only thing we have to do is to take Him at His Word and believe. Then let our actions line up with that.
“Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” Psalm 10:17
“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. But I trust in your undying love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” Psalm 13:3,5-6
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8
“I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” Psalm 17:6
God will come in line with His Word if we are acting on it in faith:
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied it. Amen so be it Mark 16:20
What will move God's hand? Are acting in faith, a faith immovable and steadfastly increasing by developing trust and confidence in God. This usually comes as we put The Word into action, and then grow from faith to faith.
Motivation for faith can't be earthly prosperity it must be because we know in our hearts that God's ways and plans are best.
It is not how good we are, or what we are doing for the Lord, that leads to a faith that wants to use God
It leads just wanting God to be nothing more than a magician, a genie in a lamp. Give him a rub and watch him do his thing. We’ll ladle up a little bit of Jesus as long as he fulfills our plans. Anything for a little more power or a little more improvement in our circumstances.
I'll put my faith in with the promises of God. His ways are definitely higher than my ways, and his thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He's my creator, He's, my savior. He's has giving me the Holy Spirit who will lead me and guide me and correct me.
… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 23, 2022 7:00:00 GMT -8
Faith part 5. Faith is not moved by the circumstances
I would like to explain something here about "not looking at the circumstances", Which you will hear from some Christians from time to time. When we are not looking at the circumstances, that means we are not moved by the negative situations that confront us every day.
"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalms 16:8,"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
I saw an interesting post here yesterday between two members in their 70s that we're talking about short term memory loss. What was interesting was the response to each other was that they were both Heavenly Minded and looking forward to the day they would have glorified bodies and their memory would be just fine.
So let's use healing as an example. We are not moved by what the doctors say; we aren't moved by how we feel or how we look; we don't get down in the mouth and begin confessing what we see or how we feel. I'm sure you can see that one would have to be a very disciplined person to act this way. But you can develop this discipline by using your will and determination to do God's word. To be a "Doer of The Word". The Holy Spirit will guide and lead you in this endeavor.
So, do not stay hung up on the circumstances, but you keep your eyes on what the Bible says relative to what you are believing for. In other words, you find the scripture that fits your situation, and that's scripture (or scriptures) is what you continue to look at and confess. Not the circumstances it would be great if could all examine ourselves carefully in the areas of our spiritual, moral, mental, and emotional attitudes. If there is any doubt as to your ability or willingness to operate in faith, then I believe this study on faith can help.
Have a blessed day!
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 24, 2022 4:07:11 GMT -8
Faith part 6. Faith operates at various levels There are levels to faith, and if our faith is not at the highest level, which is to take God at his word and to stand on the word until the manifestation of what you are believing occurs . No faith (faithless) These people have no faith in the Word and they do not believe in Jesus Christ but they have faith in other things which they believe in. Saints, we should be careful with the faithless because they deny and pervert the truth bringing out controversies, miss-placed ideologies and doctrines. A good example of a faithless person is Thomas. Thomas was a disciple of Jesus but when Jesus died he became faithless. Reason he did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had said. John: 20:27: Then he said to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Realize that after Thomas saw resurrected Jesus Christ, he became of great faith and an apostle of the church. With no faith you cannot believe in God. You doubt the word of God and you are always fighting the word and God’s children. Little faith (weak faith) People of little faith doubt everything. They doubt what they have heard, what they hear; the word of God and they are always struggling to believe in God. With weak faith you can neither experience the power of God nor have an intimacy with Him and you doubt what the spirit tells you. A good example of a doubtful person in the Bible is Peter. Peter heard the word from Jesus to walk on the sea. He walked but on seen the wind he started doubting and then sinking. Jesus said this to him, ‘……..O man of little faith, why did you doubt?’ (Mt: 14:31) If you have weak faith or little faith, you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, a doubter. 1 John 2:19: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. Doubters according to the word have no faith at all. Rom: 14:23: And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. And because you are lukewarm you will not inherit God’s kingdom. Rev: 3:16: so, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, i will spew you out of my mouth. People of little or weak faith are easily swayed away from the truth. Trials and temptations overcome them, they fall severally and continuously, always repenting and asking for forgiven. If you doubt any God’s words, you are of little faith and damned. Examine yourself; In the 3 main levels of faith, where do you fall? Are you faithless or of little faith? I believe you are of the 3rd level of faith; the faithful. Dive DeeperHave a blessed day! |
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 25, 2022 6:07:33 GMT -8
johann:
Question, you have a newly born from above believer in Christ, immature, still a babe, of little faith...is he/she damned?
In response to your question...I'm a once saved always saved kind of guy so with that said. If you're a new born again believer the process of sanctification has started and you will become mature in your faith . There is no damnation in your future, You have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. You're redeemed, You have new life, You've been born again.
When it comes to who is saved and who is not saved that's not my job, I can't call it. It's in the Bible!
AMP
Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
AMPC
Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand.
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Aug 25, 2022 6:52:15 GMT -8
johann:Question, you have a newly born from above believer in Christ, immature, still a babe, of little faith...is he/she damned?
In response to your question...I'm a once saved always saved kind of guy so with that said. If you're a new born again believer the process of sanctification has started and you will become mature in your faith . There is no damnation in your future, You have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. You're redeemed, You have new life, You've been born again. When it comes to who is saved and who is not saved that's not my job, I can't call it. It's in the Bible! AMP Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. AMPC Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand. OK, I can dig it. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2nd Timothy 2:19 RSV Sounds like good advice to me. That we're not to make a practice of walking In the flesh, Walking in darkness. We want to be in the light as Jesus is the light. Jesus told us to abide in him. "4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." John 15:4 I love the Gospel of John!  |
|
|
|
Post by rockson on Aug 25, 2022 14:25:14 GMT -8
I think FAITH has mutiple meaning depending on context. Some people say I have my FAITH, using it as what their religious persuasion is. There is a FAITH that goes beyond ourselves when it deals with dealing with others. God supernaturally puts in one say this or do this maybe praying a certain way to another it's more like a super confidence that something will work out a certain way. Our FAITH when it comes to it growing abundantly means when we by experience by practicing our faith and receive answers on a continual basis our confidence becomes stronger and stronger. It's like learning to ride a bike or learning to swim. You keep practicing your FAITH, or riding a bike, or learning to swim your confidence level keeps increasing the more you do it. Now when it comes to having FAITH I contend most Christians have GREAT FAITH but they're too much in ignorance to know it. I suppose giving a compliment here and a put down makes this even stephen but consider and you might agree. If we religionize what FAITH is I think we go down a wrong road. If we stay with how men normally think about it then I think it's not far removed from how God wants to consider it. I'll illustrate. Imagine we stand before a crowd. We speak about our spouse. We say I know my wife (or husband) promised to do certain things. Problem is I have such small faith in them! I wish I had more and I feel horrible for not having such. I know they said they'd pick me up today at 3 PM but oh Gosh! Somebody help me with my unbelief! Please increase my FAITH!!" So what did we really do to them by saying such. We insulted them in a crazy unmeaning type of way but none less we did. Look if believe they ARE of a good character and they've got a reputation for keeping their WORD....and doesn't God have that??? Of course he does....well if that were a human being we'd say we've got GREAT FAITH in them! Would we be arrogant by saying we have Great Faith in them? NO absolutely not! In fact the more we'd say it the more we'd feel we were honoring them? So what about God. Is he not worthy to be considered to be of a good character? The one who said he'd stick closer to us then a brother? The one who said how much MORE does God love you when even compared to your earthly parent? The one who even died on the cross for us? Christians truly do have Great Faith in God if they'll just simply accept FAITH is the same in every realm. Would you really want someone saying they wish their FAITH could be increased in YOU? Wouldn't you think what have I done make you think great faith in me wasn't warranted? When you study the scriptures' Jesus did say to people even Peter one time, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt" when he walked on the water and then faulted. Really it is what WE choose to walk in in the moment. Not God deciding anything....WE DO! If Peter would have walked continually on the water and they eventually got back in the boat Jesus would have told the others what Peter just did was he manifested great faith through his words and actions. Through his words and actions...through his words and actions..... It could have been great faith or little faith with Peter in that moment of time. So it basically is STARTING with deciding that YOU KNOW, God is good and he keeps his word, and 2) having your actions correspond to that belief! Look at all the ones pretty much Jesus healed. They heard Jesus was healing people, they heard what Jesus said about the subject, they chose to believe God is good and is of a kind nature and 2) they brought their actions into line with one who would believe such a thing. eg. The woman with the issue of blood, the one lifted down through a roof to be healed of the palsy, the blind men, the lepers and the list goes on and on. They chose to have FAITH in God's goodness and his gracious nature AND...AND they acted accordingly...they went to him to receive. Look at all the hero's of faith in Hebrews 11....Noah believed God AND ...he acted he moved himself to build the ark. Abraham who is called faithful Abraham heard what God had to say....believed his word and character was good AND.....he did something with his actions....he left Ur and went out as one who believed God would give him a land. Point. God has a loving, good, kind, gracious character. If you choose to believe that you should have no problem putting actions to your beliefs. One last interesting scripture. Rev 21: 8 states, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Notice it puts the fearful first. It's all connected to not believing God is good, kind and gracious. If you believed that you will act before God in a positive, pleasing way. So actually in real terms to say one needs their faith increased....that is in and of itself is really fear based for let us remember that perfect LOVE cast out all fear! Don't think of it as arrogance but rather true humility for that's how God views it if you shout out with LOVE and dedication to God...I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN HIM! Do that, trust me....you make God the Father and Jesus cry out in Heaven, "YES! That's what we've been waiting to hear from them all along!"  |
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Sept 1, 2022 16:47:06 GMT -8
For all committed followers of Christ, the clarion call is to remain faithful. Jesus is the object of our adoration and our obedience, and He deserves and desires your faithfulness. It should be easier to remain faithful when the object of your faithfulness is as pure as the driven snow. There is nothing about Jesus that doesn’t elicit faithfulness. His fairness invites faithfulness; His grace and generosity generate faithfulness; His love longs for faithfulness; His holiness inspires faithfulness; His compassion creates faithfulness; His forgiveness foretells faithfulness; His judgment motivates faithfulness; His life models faithfulness. Jesus remained faithful to the very end, and in Him, so can we.
Is there anything about Jesus that keeps us from remaining faithful? Who else can we go to for eternal life (John 6:68)? Faithfulness to Jesus is par for the Christian life. He is the standard by which you live. Even under the onslaught of illness, remain faithful. As circumstances around you crumble, remain faithful. When people mistreat and misunderstand you, remain faithful. If you lose your job, remain faithful. When a close friend lets you down and rejects you, remain faithful. Faithfulness to Jesus is the love song of Christian living.
“I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 4:17
The way of life in Christ Jesus...
|
|
|
|
Post by civic on Sept 1, 2022 17:16:05 GMT -8
For all committed followers of Christ, the clarion call is to remain faithful. Jesus is the object of our adoration and our obedience, and He deserves and desires your faithfulness. It should be easier to remain faithful when the object of your faithfulness is as pure as the driven snow. There is nothing about Jesus that doesn’t elicit faithfulness. His fairness invites faithfulness; His grace and generosity generate faithfulness; His love longs for faithfulness; His holiness inspires faithfulness; His compassion creates faithfulness; His forgiveness foretells faithfulness; His judgment motivates faithfulness; His life models faithfulness. Jesus remained faithful to the very end, and in Him, so can we. Is there anything about Jesus that keeps us from remaining faithful? Who else can we go to for eternal life (John 6:68)? Faithfulness to Jesus is par for the Christian life. He is the standard by which you live. Even under the onslaught of illness, remain faithful. As circumstances around you crumble, remain faithful. When people mistreat and misunderstand you, remain faithful. If you lose your job, remain faithful. When a close friend lets you down and rejects you, remain faithful. Faithfulness to Jesus is the love song of Christian living. “I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 4:17 The way of life in Christ Jesus... Welcome to the forum and a great post too, thanks ! |
|
