FAITH, TO BELIEVE

[josefnospam]

:yes Faith to believe is God's gift to man. Not man's gift to God.
We overcome this world thru the faith that he overcame this world.

But 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 those who diligently seek him Hebrews 11:6

And who seeks God? There are NONE that understandeth, there is NONE that seeketh after God. Romans 3:11

Our faith to believe in him comes from him, not us or our choice. And it is faith in him that gives us victory over this world because through faith we believe he overcame the world. Therefore we, overcome the world.

He started our faith and he finishes our faith. So from beginning to end the faith to believe comes from him. This way we can understand and rejoice in the scripture "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...." Hebrews 12:2

SO....who will believe thru faith? I'll tell you.

As many as were ORDAINED to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48. You would think that sinfull self rightous people would show genuine intrest in these doctines about his people, not hate and despise these precious Biblical God-honoring truths as put forth in the scriptures.

 

[Messenger]

But 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 those who diligently seek him Hebrews 11:6

Amen!

A person can only come to God if He draws him (John 6:44).
Only then will he believe in Him because God has given him the gift of faith! (Eph. 2:8).
And consequently, the power of the Holy Spirit is working in him (Eph. 3:7 )
because faith is also a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22); the evidence of true salvation.
A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven! (John 3:27).
Salvation is all the work of God's Sovereign Will!

2 Thes. 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the
obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GTG!

 

[Guest]

You would think that sinfull self rightous people would show genuine intrest in these doctines about his people, not hate and despise these precious Biblical God-honoring truths as put forth in the scriptures.

Sinfull self rightous people? I would think all people who have come to believe are not as you put it.

 

[Brother Mike]

Faith comes from Hearing and hearing the Word of God. What Measure WE meet is measured back to us. Just getting Born again is the start of believing God, not the end.

God has given every man "THE" measure of faith. Every man has the ability to believe something.

Mike.

 

[josefnospam]

Men believe that they have a part in their Salvation. They do not. It is ALL of God from begining to end, and he gives his people the faith to believe him. We overcome the world because he overcame the world, not because we did something., or will do something. Believe ONLY in him. And give him ALL the honor, glory and praise., if he gives you his spirit to do so. He included me, and I am forever thankfull he did for I could never do it myself.
You are right...We don't just sit around doing nothing. We continually tell others they need a saviour and what a great Saviour he is, able to save ALL he came to save and never telling others they can add to or help him in this wonderfull amazing Salvation that is his alone.

Isiah 10:20 says I was found of them that sought me not. The faith to believe is his to give. After he gives his spirit we are busy going about proclaming him to ALL the world. Lord, who has believed our report?

 

[Brother Mike]

We continually tell others they need a saviour and what a great Saviour he is, able to save ALL he came to save and never telling others they can add to or help him in this wonderfull amazing Salvation that is his alone.

Understood, but look up the Word Salvation. Faith is there, Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. What happens if you doubt? You get victory? Or live defeated.

Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mar 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

What happens if you don't give measure to the Word?

Mike.

 

[josefnospam]

We all have doubts and worries because we are all sinners. But when we do it does not effect his victory at all . We are not defeated, because he was not defeated nor ever could be. The spirit of God will lead us as he wants to obtain the Victory of a new Glorified Body, werein we will live forever. and our Lord has done it all. It's awful to live as a spiritial being in a sin cursed body. WE ARE SINNERS but the spirit has no sin. This body WILL die and return to the dust it was made of. We owe a debt to Our God to live a spiritual life in a fleshy body that cannot live without sin. We can and should give measure to the word and sin not. But when we do sin, we have been forgiven of our sins. WE still commit sins everyday but OUR GOD does not see them. Instead he sees his son. Now THAT IS GOOD NEWS. I guess Paul said it best in Romans 8:21

I find then a Law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Simple really WE can"t do it and God cannot fail to do it.
O wrecthed man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 8:24

We can rest from our works and trust in his work. We owe a debt we cannot repay, but Our Saviour and the LORD has paid it in full for us in full.
I for one want to give HIM ALL the glory, honor. praise and power that he deserves and will do so as he allows me and you to do so.

And we know that ALL things work together to them that Love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.........Romans 8:28

 

[josefnospam]

In the previous post I wrote Romans 8:24 It should have been Romans 7:24

 

[Deborah13]

Only then will he believe in Him because God has given him the gift of faith! (Eph. 2:8).

"For by grace you are saved through faith...it is a gift of God. Not by works least any man should boast."

Faith is not of works least any man should boast ?

I don't think that works.

 

[Deborah13]

And consequently, the power of the Holy Spirit is working in him (Eph. 3:7 )

Ephesians 3:6-8 KJV
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Special grace given to Paul for the ministering of the Gospel.
However, grace of God can only come from God. We can say, "by God's grace you are saved.."

 

[Deborah13]

2 Thes. 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the
obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There has been some discussion about this scripture but I'll take it as it stands with the (S) Spirit rather than spirit.
But I would ask you to give me the clearest, simplest, scripture that explains how God chooses.
Thanks

 

[Deborah13]

Acts 17 KJV
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

I guess I should add my thoughts here. Men can know there is a God, a Creator, God did this Himself, man is without excuse. But He is hard to find in the dark. One must hear the Gospel and receive it. There is light in the Words of God's truth. We see that God commands ALL men to repent and they will be judged by whether they will take heed.

 

[Eventide]

The Apostle to the Gentiles teaches us plainly how any member of the body of Christ comes to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the day of redemption... it's the when and how we are baptized into that ONE BODY by the same SPIRIT...

Paul writes of this inheritance in Eph, and elsewhere of course... although here he is very specific of the ORDER of events.. hear what the Apostle teaches..

in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

This is true for every member of the body of Christ.

WHO is sealing us with the Holy Spirit ?

God of course.

WHEN is He sealing us with the Holy Spirit ?

After we hear and after we believe..

We know that FAITH comes by HEARING... and that's exactly what Paul is teaching here.

Many also get all crazy (imo) about being predestined... although that's simple too. Paul tells us plainly that we were predestined to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ..

Pre means beforehand, and destination means a place..

Before the foundation of the world (pre) God decided that all who believe in His Son are to be baptized into that ONE BODY, which is the body of Christ.. that's the destination.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and BELIEF of the truth..

What must I do to be saved ?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

When did God SEAL us with the Holy Spirit and baptize us into that ONE BODY ?

After we heard, and after we believed.

Not that difficult imo, although people debate these things 'til the cows come home, and they're not home yet.

 

[Deborah13]

John 16:7-11 KJV
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

You see this is why man's sin will be judged. Because he does not believe in Jesus. Well, if it's God's doing that the man does not believe, then it's not the man's sin that he doesn't believe. God won't let him believe but then judge him because he doesn't believe?

 

[Eventide]

God won't let him believe but then judge him because he doesn't believe

Absurdity isn't it.. and the cows still ain't home..

 

[Eventide]

Many struggle with perhaps one of the simplest questions to answer in the bible..

What must I do to be saved ?

 

[farouk]

John 16:7-11 KJV
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

You see this is why man's sin will be judged. Because he does not believe in Jesus. Well, if it's God's doing that the man does not believe, then it's not the man's sin that he doesn't believe. God won't let him believe but then judge him because he doesn't believe?

[MENTION=93058]Deborah13[/MENTION]:

Referring to Pentecost, right? when properly speaking the church began.

Blessings.

 

[Messenger]

Only then will he believe in Him because God has given him the gift of faith! (Eph. 2:8).

"For by grace you are saved through faith...it is a gift of God. Not by works least any man should boast."

Faith is not of works least any man should boast ?

I don't think that works.

First, it's important to understand that not everyone can become saved. For in order for a person
to become saved, he must be a part of the election of grace:

Rom. 11:5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Faith is not a "condition" to become saved by grace, but faith is given as a gift to all the election of grace.

Faith accompanies the gift of God, which is Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:11) given to all the elect;
it is by His Faith, not their own faith. Faith belongs exclusively to God's Elect:

Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness

The faith of a man who is not saved, the natural man, can never please God. (Rom. 8:8) .
So, the works of faith (1Thes. 1:3) and believing are done by someone who is already saved,
the new spiritual man!

 

[Messenger]

2 Thes. 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the
obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There has been some discussion about this scripture but I'll take it as it stands with the (S) Spirit rather than spirit.
But I would ask you to give me the clearest, simplest, scripture that explains how God chooses.
Thanks

Ephesians 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.

 

[Deborah13]

Ephesians 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

I'm glad you chose these scriptures but I must point that Paul is speaking about two different groups of people. There is the (we and us) and the (you). Paul makes it clear that in THIS scripture the ones he is speaking about as being "predestined" are the Apostles. That is not to say that there are not other scriptures that may uphold your beliefs. But this one does not.

Ephesians 1 NASV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before [d]Him. In love 5 [e]He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the [f]kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In [g]Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He [h]lavished on [i]us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He [j]made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His [k]kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration [l]suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things [m]in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 [n]also we [o]have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in [p]Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (The Apostles)

Paul says here that they, the Apostles were chosen and predestined to receive by grace Wisdom and Insight of the mystery of His will, with a view of the administration suitable to the fullness of the times. They were chosen to receive and minister the Gospel of Grace and even to the Gentiles.


13 In [q]Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also [r]believed, you were sealed in [s]Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is [t]given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Nowhere does Paul, in THIS scripture, say the "you", the saints in the church at Ephesus were predestined.

If I have missed something please show it to me. Blessings