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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Definition of Faith
- Thread starter JM
- Start date
P
PDoug
Guest
Suppose we were to define marriage as the specific act (performed within a marriage ceremony) of a man and a woman declaring their love for each other, and committing to stay with each other, until one or both of them die. Next, suppose we were to say that only the person who is married will be deemed righteous by God. If we then went on to say that only the person who righteously has children will be blessed, and only the person who confesses his love for his partner will be blessed, and only the person who knows the idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex will be blessed, etc., we would judge these statements to be true.
The above is how the scriptures talk about having faith and being saved by it. When the scriptures say that it those who confess Christ who will be saved, and it is those who love the Lord who will be saved, and it those who believe in God who will be saved, they do not mean that it is the above actions which specifically save someone: but rather it is the above actions which bear witness of someone being saved. (See also James 2:19) Therefore confessing Christ directly does not save anyone – anymore than a man confessing his love for his girlfriend would render him a blessing from God in the above scenario. What saves someone, is that person having faith per Christ's instructions on how to do so, given in Mark 11:22-24. It is when a person does the actions specified in Mark 11:22-24, that he truly starts to Confess Christ, love God, etc. (You can read more on the subject here, here, and here.)
The above is how the scriptures talk about having faith and being saved by it. When the scriptures say that it those who confess Christ who will be saved, and it is those who love the Lord who will be saved, and it those who believe in God who will be saved, they do not mean that it is the above actions which specifically save someone: but rather it is the above actions which bear witness of someone being saved. (See also James 2:19) Therefore confessing Christ directly does not save anyone – anymore than a man confessing his love for his girlfriend would render him a blessing from God in the above scenario. What saves someone, is that person having faith per Christ's instructions on how to do so, given in Mark 11:22-24. It is when a person does the actions specified in Mark 11:22-24, that he truly starts to Confess Christ, love God, etc. (You can read more on the subject here, here, and here.)
W
William Putnam
Guest
PDoug said:
I agree with your assessment here.
Simple faith in God, an intellectual assent and nothing more, is not that faith that saves, after all, the minions in hell have that kind of "faith"!
We Catholics would say "faith" to automatically include "hope and charity." which includes doing what Christ commands us to do in following Him.
A good read on the subject by James Akin is:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/SOLAFIDE.HTM
God bless,
PAX
Bill+†+
...'For I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord when did we see you hungry, and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a
stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these
least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:35-40
X
xicali
Guest
The Bible tells us about at least 4 types of Faith...
1. The Faith He gave to His Prophets, or the people He used.
2. The Faith of the people of God before the cross.
3. Blind Faith.
4. and The Faith of Christ in the believer.
I belive the Faith that Abraham practiced, was confined until The Lords death for the believer under Grace, for after the Cross.
1. The Faith He gave to His Prophets, or the people He used.
2. The Faith of the people of God before the cross.
3. Blind Faith.
4. and The Faith of Christ in the believer.
I belive the Faith that Abraham practiced, was confined until The Lords death for the believer under Grace, for after the Cross.
Gabbylittleangel
Member
It is not just believing in the existence of God.
It is believing God.
It is believing God.
X
xicali
Guest
Gabbylittleangel said:
Gab Litto Angel
A lot of us don't really have a clue of these two words "Believe God" huh?
I don't think you can believe God without believing in His existence first.
I understand also that belief and Faith are two different things. You believe God because you have the Faith of Christ.
The Faith of Christ tells me that Just because I don't see Him it doesn't mean He is not here.
Thanx' Gabby I too believe God.
.
Interesting..... Here are the results of a little study I did this afternoon for the fun of it:
The word faith is used in the KJV of the bible 248 times.
Out of those 248 times, only 2 times is it used in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy - 1 time
Habakkuk - 1 time
In Deuteronomy 32:20 it is about those who "... are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith." preceded by the comment of what happens to those who are forward and without faith. The face of God is hidden from them because of the way they chose to be.
In Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Then what was hidden in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.....
246 times faith in mentioned in the book of the New Testament.
Matthew - 12 times
Mark - 5 times
Luke - 12 times
Acts - 15 times
Romans - 39 times
1 Corinthians - 7 times
2 Corinthians - 7 times
Galatians - 22 times
Ephesians - 8 times
Philippians - 6 times
Colossians - 5 times
1 Thessalonians - 8 times
2 Thessalonians - 4 times
1 Timothy - 19 times
2 Timothy - 8 times
Titus - 5 times
Philemon - 2 times
Hebrews - 32 times
James - 16 times
1 Peter - 5 times
2 Peter - 2 times
1 John - 1 time
Jude - 2 times
Revelation - 4 times
Another interesting fact:
All books in the New Testament mention the word faith except this book: John.
John - 0 times
The main theme of this book is based upon Jesus as being God the Son.
And also, is about (as noted in the Student NKJV);
Belief: a faith response in which a person entrusts himself or herself completely to God.
The key words in the book of John are Belief, Unbelief, Death, Life, World, Light, Darkness.
The main message is: We can have eternal life by "trusting" God's Son as Savior.
I appreciate what the book of Galatians says about Justification by faith.
Galatians 3:1-14
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
and again
in Galatians 3: 19-26 in which it describes how the Hebrews were , vs. 23 ... before faith came, were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
vs. 24 Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
vs. 25 But after has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
vs. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
This is what I believe...
You can't have faith without belief
you can't have faith without trust.
Trust and belief go hand in hand,
trust makes belief stand firm...
those two hold the banner of faith.
You can't have faith without hope...
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things unseen.
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Job 14:7
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Psalm 16:8-11
8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 31:21-24
21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. 22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. 23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
I also believe:
It takes belief
and trust in that belief
it takes faith
and trust in that faith
to bring about hope...
hope is the conglomeration of
belief, trust, and faith...
those things are that which bring about,
watches a things
come into manifestation.
We must not insult the spirit of grace,
but accept it and live by it.
* The Just Live By Faith and must not draw back
Read: Hebrews 10:26-39
* By Faith We Understand
* We See Faith at the Dawn of History
* We See the Faithfulness of Abraham
* There Is Heavenly Hope
* We See The Faith of the Patriarchs
* By Faith They Overcame
Read: Hebrews 11:1-39
* The Race of Faith
Read: Hebrews 12:1-29
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 12:2
... looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
One day at a time... sweet Jesus... :bday:
Interesting..... Here are the results of a little study I did this afternoon for the fun of it:
The word faith is used in the KJV of the bible 248 times.
Out of those 248 times, only 2 times is it used in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy - 1 time
Habakkuk - 1 time
In Deuteronomy 32:20 it is about those who "... are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith." preceded by the comment of what happens to those who are forward and without faith. The face of God is hidden from them because of the way they chose to be.
In Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Then what was hidden in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.....
246 times faith in mentioned in the book of the New Testament.
Matthew - 12 times
Mark - 5 times
Luke - 12 times
Acts - 15 times
Romans - 39 times
1 Corinthians - 7 times
2 Corinthians - 7 times
Galatians - 22 times
Ephesians - 8 times
Philippians - 6 times
Colossians - 5 times
1 Thessalonians - 8 times
2 Thessalonians - 4 times
1 Timothy - 19 times
2 Timothy - 8 times
Titus - 5 times
Philemon - 2 times
Hebrews - 32 times
James - 16 times
1 Peter - 5 times
2 Peter - 2 times
1 John - 1 time
Jude - 2 times
Revelation - 4 times
Another interesting fact:
All books in the New Testament mention the word faith except this book: John.
John - 0 times
The main theme of this book is based upon Jesus as being God the Son.
And also, is about (as noted in the Student NKJV);
Belief: a faith response in which a person entrusts himself or herself completely to God.
The key words in the book of John are Belief, Unbelief, Death, Life, World, Light, Darkness.
The main message is: We can have eternal life by "trusting" God's Son as Savior.
I appreciate what the book of Galatians says about Justification by faith.
Galatians 3:1-14
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
and again
in Galatians 3: 19-26 in which it describes how the Hebrews were , vs. 23 ... before faith came, were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
vs. 24 Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
vs. 25 But after has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
vs. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
This is what I believe...
You can't have faith without belief
you can't have faith without trust.
Trust and belief go hand in hand,
trust makes belief stand firm...
those two hold the banner of faith.
You can't have faith without hope...
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things unseen.
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Job 14:7
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Psalm 16:8-11
8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 31:21-24
21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. 22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. 23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
I also believe:
It takes belief
and trust in that belief
it takes faith
and trust in that faith
to bring about hope...
hope is the conglomeration of
belief, trust, and faith...
those things are that which bring about,
watches a things
come into manifestation.
We must not insult the spirit of grace,
but accept it and live by it.
* The Just Live By Faith and must not draw back
Read: Hebrews 10:26-39
* By Faith We Understand
* We See Faith at the Dawn of History
* We See the Faithfulness of Abraham
* There Is Heavenly Hope
* We See The Faith of the Patriarchs
* By Faith They Overcame
Read: Hebrews 11:1-39
* The Race of Faith
Read: Hebrews 12:1-29
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 12:2
... looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
One day at a time... sweet Jesus... :bday:
I posted this little story some time ago in another thread. I post it again predominantly for those who have not read it and my apologies to those who have.
It is just a little insight the Lord gave me (an object lesson or parable if you like) of what faith is to me.
One day a child of mine asked me, “Dad, why are we so poor?†I said, “What makes you think we are poor?†And he told me of all the things others he knew, did and had. So I said to him, “Son, when you go bed at night you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll be warm and safe in your bed. It’s already provided for you. When you wake up in the morning, you don’t have to worry about whether there will be breakfast for you. It’s already provided. The clothes you wear, your food, your schooling, the home you live in and the security of a father that loves you. They are all yours. You have everything you need. “And,†I said, “this is the same relationship I have with my heavenly father. As I walk in the provision of his love every day I know that all of my needs have already been met. And yours are too.â€Â
And this is what faith is. We don’t have to worry about anything because we know that while we walk in the provision of a loving heavenly Father, whatever the circumstance, He cares and will provide for His own. And so our lives become a walk of faith. We don’t have to strive. We don’t have to worry. We just need to dwell in Him. And this is the righteousness that we have in Christ. To those who are His son’s and daughters, His provision has already been made.
By Gods grace, through Christ alone, we have been born into His family as sons and heirs of the living God. And by reason of our relationship to Him, the gift of faith enables us to dwell in His provision day by day. We don’t have to strive. We don’t have to be anxious for anything because we know God will, rather, has already provided. And this is the inheritance we have through Christ. It is our confidence that even as the gospel was preached in advance to Abraham, the man of faith - to whom God credited righteousness because he believed God and trusted in His provision. This is the same righteousness imputed to us by faith that is inherent in any child who trusts in the provision of all things from his father.
So, faith is not an act of the will or even a state of mind. It is position of implicit trust. And when this is so, we walk as Jesus walked – doing the will of our Father in heaven.
It is just a little insight the Lord gave me (an object lesson or parable if you like) of what faith is to me.
One day a child of mine asked me, “Dad, why are we so poor?†I said, “What makes you think we are poor?†And he told me of all the things others he knew, did and had. So I said to him, “Son, when you go bed at night you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll be warm and safe in your bed. It’s already provided for you. When you wake up in the morning, you don’t have to worry about whether there will be breakfast for you. It’s already provided. The clothes you wear, your food, your schooling, the home you live in and the security of a father that loves you. They are all yours. You have everything you need. “And,†I said, “this is the same relationship I have with my heavenly father. As I walk in the provision of his love every day I know that all of my needs have already been met. And yours are too.â€Â
And this is what faith is. We don’t have to worry about anything because we know that while we walk in the provision of a loving heavenly Father, whatever the circumstance, He cares and will provide for His own. And so our lives become a walk of faith. We don’t have to strive. We don’t have to worry. We just need to dwell in Him. And this is the righteousness that we have in Christ. To those who are His son’s and daughters, His provision has already been made.
By Gods grace, through Christ alone, we have been born into His family as sons and heirs of the living God. And by reason of our relationship to Him, the gift of faith enables us to dwell in His provision day by day. We don’t have to strive. We don’t have to be anxious for anything because we know God will, rather, has already provided. And this is the inheritance we have through Christ. It is our confidence that even as the gospel was preached in advance to Abraham, the man of faith - to whom God credited righteousness because he believed God and trusted in His provision. This is the same righteousness imputed to us by faith that is inherent in any child who trusts in the provision of all things from his father.
So, faith is not an act of the will or even a state of mind. It is position of implicit trust. And when this is so, we walk as Jesus walked – doing the will of our Father in heaven.
