Bible Study Faith

[for_his_glory]

Faith means the trustworthiness or reliance on Gods word for his salvation for us who believe in him. It's a belief in the promises and blessings of his word and applying his word to our daily walk with him by seeing the confidence in the testimony of others.

The nature of faith is seen through the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, which these fruits brings about kindness, self control and faithfulness through the works of God that comes from our heart.

Faith gives us freedom from condemnation and freedom of salvation through adoption as we become one body in the Lord as we walk by faith, live by faith, pray by faith and resist evil by faith. By faith we are an overcomer of this world as we stand fast and are grounded in Gods word knowing we have assurance of all of his promises that makes us victorious in all things here on earth by us applying his word to our lives to know for a surety that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Faith is a living reality in ones life through Gods service by declaring his word as we bear witness to his name by the mighty works he has done. It’s not even our faith, but that of Jesus who is our faith as we believe in who he has said he was and to the glory and honor that he has brought before the Father through his life, death and resurrection that we to can become heirs to the throne of grace by coming boldly to his throne and surrendering all of us to him to be Lord and Savior of our live.

Hebrews chapter 11 is probably one of the greatest faith chapters in the Bible. We have these same promises today and forever because of the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and for all generations to come because we are the heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ, Romans 8:12-17.

 

[Tenchi]

Faith means the trustworthiness or reliance on Gods word for his salvation for us who believe in him. It's a belief in the promises and blessings of his word and applying his word to our daily walk with him by seeing the confidence in the testimony of others.

Of course, people who are not saved exercise faith, too, right? They have faith in their spouse, or doctor, or dentist, or other drivers on the road, etc. So, then, faith is the capacity to trust confidently in some belief, or thing, or person. In the case of a Christian, faith is, as you've said, a settled confidence in God and His Truth revealed to us in His word and a conscious reliance upon these things.

Christians also use the word "faith" in reference to the entire system of belief and practice called Christianity. "I hold to the Christian faith," a believer might say. What they mean by "faith" here is the Christian religion, not their settled confidence in it.

And the Bible uses "faith," "belief," "believe," and "trust" in semi-interchangeable ways, which can make the matter of the "life of faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:6) a bit confusing for a new believer.

The nature of faith is seen through the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, which these fruits brings about kindness, self control and faithfulness through the works of God that comes from our heart.

I don't understand what you're saying here. "The nature of faith is seen through the fruit of the Spirit"? Isn't the "fruit" of the Spirit the "fruit" of the Spirit, not of our faith? And if it is the "fruit" of the Spirit, what do you mean by "the works of God that comes from our heart"? Aren't those works actually the "fruit" of who the Spirit is, of his life and work in us? You seem to say this, sort of, when you wrote "through the works of God," but then you added that these works come from our hearts which sounds rather like you're saying our good works are our doing, not God's. I'm pretty sure this isn't what you intended to say, though, right?

Faith gives us freedom from condemnation and freedom of salvation

Hmmm.... Is it our faith that does this, or the object of our faith, who is Christ? What is the really important thing? Our faith or who we place our faith in?

John 8:36
36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8:1
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

By faith we are an overcomer of this world as we stand fast and are grounded in Gods word knowing we have assurance of all of his promises that makes us victorious in all things here on earth by us applying his word to our lives to know for a surety that he will never leave us or forsake us.

It sounds here like our faith makes us "overcomers of the World," and our assurance in, and application of, God's promises make us "victorious in all things." But didn't Jesus say that without him we could do nothing (John 15:5)? Our faith is absolutely necessary to walking with God, yes, but it is so vital because of who it is in whom we're exercising faith. God responds to our faith by acting for us in the ways He's promised to do, making us victorious spiritually, and persevering, and spiritually mature. But it is God who does these things for us, not our faith.

Philippians 1:6
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Hebrews 12:2
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith...

And so on.

for_his_glory wrote:

"Faith is a living reality in ones life through Gods service by declaring his word as we bear witness to his name by the mighty works he has done."
Whoa. This is very hard statement to decipher.

According to what you wrote here, faith is:

- "a living reality" (What does this mean?).

- "through God's service" (Do you mean His service to us? Or our service to Him? And how does this service - whoever is doing it - make our faith a "living reality"?)

- "by declaring His word" (So, our faith, if it is to be faith, must not only be through service but also by declaring God's word? Do you have some Scripture to support all this?)

- "as we bear witness to His name" (What does this mean? Also, you seem to be saying that the Christian's faith is only a "living reality" through God's service, and by declaring God's word, and by bearing witness to His name? That's a lot of stipulations on a believer's faith! And this all puts the onus on the believer to make their faith a "living reality" rather than on Christ who is their very life [Colossians 3:4; John 14:6]).

for_his_glory wrote:

"It’s not even our faith, but that of Jesus who is our faith as we believe in who he has said he was and to the glory and honor that he has brought before the Father through his life, death and resurrection that we to can become heirs to the throne of grace by coming boldly to his throne and surrendering all of us to him to be Lord and Savior of our live."

Amen, sister!

But this statement makes much of what you said before it more confusing. You've made so much of the believer's faith, but now say "It's not even our faith, but that of Jesus who is our faith..." Can you see how this might leave a lot of questions in the minds of your readers, especially new believers?

 

[for_his_glory]

Of course, people who are not saved exercise faith, too, right? They have faith in their spouse, or doctor, or dentist, or other drivers on the road, etc. So, then, faith is the capacity to trust confidently in some belief, or thing, or person. In the case of a Christian, faith is, as you've said, a settled confidence in God and His Truth revealed to us in His word and a conscious reliance upon these things.

Christians also use the word "faith" in reference to the entire system of belief and practice called Christianity. "I hold to the Christian faith," a believer might say. What they mean by "faith" here is the Christian religion, not their settled confidence in it.

And the Bible uses "faith," "belief," "believe," and "trust" in semi-interchangeable ways, which can make the matter of the "life of faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:6) a bit confusing for a new believer.



I don't understand what you're saying here. "The nature of faith is seen through the fruit of the Spirit"? Isn't the "fruit" of the Spirit the "fruit" of the Spirit, not of our faith? And if it is the "fruit" of the Spirit, what do you mean by "the works of God that comes from our heart"? Aren't those works actually the "fruit" of who the Spirit is, of his life and work in us? You seem to say this, sort of, when you wrote "through the works of God," but then you added that these works come from our hearts which sounds rather like you're saying our good works are our doing, not God's. I'm pretty sure this isn't what you intended to say, though, right?



Hmmm.... Is it our faith that does this, or the object of our faith, who is Christ? What is the really important thing? Our faith or who we place our faith in?

John 8:36
36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8:1
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.



It sounds here like our faith makes us "overcomers of the World," and our assurance in, and application of, God's promises make us "victorious in all things." But didn't Jesus say that without him we could do nothing (John 15:5)? Our faith is absolutely necessary to walking with God, yes, but it is so vital because of who it is in whom we're exercising faith. God responds to our faith by acting for us in the ways He's promised to do, making us victorious spiritually, and persevering, and spiritually mature. But it is God who does these things for us, not our faith.

Philippians 1:6
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Hebrews 12:2
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith...

And so on.

for_his_glory wrote:

"Faith is a living reality in ones life through Gods service by declaring his word as we bear witness to his name by the mighty works he has done."
Whoa. This is very hard statement to decipher.

According to what you wrote here, faith is:

- "a living reality" (What does this mean?).

- "through God's service" (Do you mean His service to us? Or our service to Him? And how does this service - whoever is doing it - make our faith a "living reality"?)

- "by declaring His word" (So, our faith, if it is to be faith, must not only be through service but also by declaring God's word? Do you have some Scripture to support all this?)

- "as we bear witness to His name" (What does this mean? Also, you seem to be saying that the Christian's faith is only a "living reality" through God's service, and by declaring God's word, and by bearing witness to His name? That's a lot of stipulations on a believer's faith! And this all puts the onus on the believer to make their faith a "living reality" rather than on Christ who is their very life [Colossians 3:4; John 14:6]).

for_his_glory wrote:

"It’s not even our faith, but that of Jesus who is our faith as we believe in who he has said he was and to the glory and honor that he has brought before the Father through his life, death and resurrection that we to can become heirs to the throne of grace by coming boldly to his throne and surrendering all of us to him to be Lord and Savior of our live."

Amen, sister!

But this statement makes much of what you said before it more confusing. You've made so much of the believer's faith, but now say "It's not even our faith, but that of Jesus who is our faith..." Can you see how this might leave a lot of questions in the minds of your readers, especially new believers?

We do not believe in a Christian "religion" as many that claim to be a Christian religion are not Christ own, 2Timothy 3:1-7. I call myself a Spiritually born again indwelled with the Holy Spirit child of the living God of all creation.

Latin root word for religion is bondage, which is different then that of Gods pure religion of James 1:27, but that of following tradition and the doctrine of a mans church, not Gods true church. Religion tells you what you can and cannot do and becomes socially acceptable by mans interpretations, traditions and doctrines. Religion is what nailed Christ to the cross because this Bible is not socially acceptable to society, if it were then Christ would have died in vain. God is not about mans religion, nor does he recognize religion. God is about a personal relationship with you and His son Jesus Christ.
(John 1:1-5; John 3"3-5; Romans 10:9-10)

We start out with only a mustard seed of faith as our faith is Christ
Jesus in him alone do we trust and continue to grow Spiritually in Him.

The fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:16-26 and is a big part of faith as we walk in the Spirit of truth. Within the flesh there is no good things that can be found in us that would help lead others to the Lord. There is nothing of our self that would please God if we have no faith in Him. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also, James 2:26.

The object of faith that is not even our own faith, but through faith that is Christ Jesus in which there is no condemnation and makes us free from the rudiments of this world, Colossians 2:20-23.

It's not our own faith, but through Christ Jesus who is our faith we trust and believe in that makes us more than conquers living in a wicked world, Romans 8:31-39.

Faith is a living Spiritual reality of what we hope for and the proof of what is not seen, Hebrews 11:1.

God serves us by providing for our needs, protecting us, forgiving us, and redeeming us through His son Christ Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 8:28; John 3:16; Psalms 23; Philippians 4:19.


By declaring the word of God brings about faith as faith comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10:13-21, but faith without works is dead faith, James 2:26.

To bear witness to the name of Christ Jesus means to publicly declare and actively demonstrate your love and belief in Christ by living your life according to the word of God. It's also in the giving of our testimony, proclaiming our faith that is Christ Jesus and living in accordance to the word of God, Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:26.

 

[Tenchi]

We do not believe in a Christian "religion" as many that claim to be a Christian religion are not Christ own, 2Timothy 3:1-7. I call myself a Spiritually born again indwelled with the Holy Spirit child of the living God of all creation.

That's a mouthful!

Latin root word for religion is bondage, which is different then that of Gods pure religion of James 1:27, but that of following tradition and the doctrine of a mans church, not Gods true church. Religion tells you what you can and cannot do and becomes socially acceptable by mans interpretations, traditions and doctrines. Religion is what nailed Christ to the cross because this Bible is not socially acceptable to society, if it were then Christ would have died in vain.

Whatever the root meaning of "religion" may be, today the word is used to refer to a distinct system of belief and practice (usually of a theistic or deistic sort). If this is the basic definition one goes by, Christianity is definitely a religion. It has a very clear, millennia-old structure of beliefs and practices that distinguish it from Islam, or Hinduism, or Buddhism. The religion called Christianity answers the question, "What is a Christian?" setting biblical/theological/historical boundaries on the answer. But, Christianity is ALSO a relationship, the religion directing the Christian believer to a Person: God Almighty, the Ultimate Source of the Christian religion.

The system of beliefs and practices called Judaism didn't nail Jesus to the cross, either, though it was Jewish men who conspired to have Jesus murdered. No, it was the hypocrisy, pride and jealousy of these wicked, power-hungry men that provoked them to crucify Jesus. Such awful traits are not unique to the religious, however, but are found in every domain of human endeavour. Judaism originated with Yahweh, after all, who, through Moses, issued a very comprehensive system of beliefs and practices that set apart the Israelites from all other nations as God's Chosen People.

God is not about mans religion, nor does he recognize religion. God is about a personal relationship with you and His son Jesus Christ.
(John 1:1-5; John 3"3-5; Romans 10:9-10)

You're quite right that God doesn't have any respect for Man-made religion, but He does recognize the religion He gave to humanity, first through Moses and then through Jesus.

We start out with only a mustard seed of faith as our faith is Christ
Jesus in him alone do we trust and continue to grow Spiritually in Him.

Right. That faith is actually a gift from God (Romans 12:3; 2 Timothy 2:25) that His Spirit nurtures in us, causing it, over time, to grow.

The fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:16-26 and is a big part of faith as we walk in the Spirit of truth. Within the flesh there is no good things that can be found in us that would help lead others to the Lord. There is nothing of our self that would please God if we have no faith in Him. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also, James 2:26.

So, when you write "walk in the Spirit of Truth" what do you mean, exactly? What is it to "walk in the Spirit"?

When you write "within the flesh there is no good things that would help us lead others to the Lord" is this what Paul meant when he wrote something similar in Romans 7:18? Did he mean to say that his flesh, his physical body, was evil? Is this what you think? If so, how is this not Gnostic thinking?

Can things that don't please God still be moral and helpful? Is the unsaved firefighter who rescues a child from a burning house actually doing something evil because he is unsaved? Or is his rescue of the child moral and helpful though it is not spiritually useful? I ask because many Christians would actually say that the firefighter's rescue of the girl was evil, which is quite bizarre and a violent contortion of Scripture.

James actually explained what he meant by "faith without works is dead" which, it turns out, doesn't mean "non-existent/illusory," as so many Christians tend to think.

- "dead" faith is not expressed practically in good deeds. (vs. 14-18)
- "dead" faith is "alone." (vs. 17)
- "dead" faith is "useless." (vs. 20)
- "dead" faith is "incomplete." (vs. 22)

The object of faith that is not even our own faith, but through faith that is Christ Jesus in which there is no condemnation and makes us free from the rudiments of this world, Colossians 2:20-23.

So, you agree, then, that our faith is not the key to our salvation or walk with God but the Object of our faith who is Jesus Christ?

It's not our own faith, but through Christ Jesus who is our faith we trust and believe in that makes us more than conquers living in a wicked world, Romans 8:31-39.

This sounds like you do agree that the Object of our faith is the important thing, not the quantity or quality of our faith.

Faith is a living Spiritual reality of what we hope for and the proof of what is not seen, Hebrews 11:1.

What does this all mean, exactly?

By declaring the word of God brings about faith as faith comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10:13-21, but faith without works is dead faith, James 2:26.

Does the Bible produce faith? Or does it just properly orient a person's God-given capacity for faith upon God and His Truth? Scripture says that God gives to each person a "measure of faith." As I understand it, they then use this faith to trust in what God has said to them in His word. As they do, and their experience of God's Truth deepens and expands, their faith (in God and His word) also does the same.

It's interesting to read your explanations of how you understand what it is to be a child of God!

 

[Whatever]

Latin root word for religion is bondage

And that is what we all are = Bond servants of Christ.

1Co 7:22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.
Slave in Greeh = subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant

Rom 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
This word "slave" comes from the one in 1 Cor and means = to enslave (literally or figuratively): - bring into (be under) bondage, X given, become (make) servant.

A slave does what he is told.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some . . .

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

You don't have a house of God if everybody doesn't come together and is out doing his own thing.

Religion = the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

 

[for_his_glory]

That's a mouthful!



Whatever the root meaning of "religion" may be, today the word is used to refer to a distinct system of belief and practice (usually of a theistic or deistic sort). If this is the basic definition one goes by, Christianity is definitely a religion. It has a very clear, millennia-old structure of beliefs and practices that distinguish it from Islam, or Hinduism, or Buddhism. The religion called Christianity answers the question, "What is a Christian?" setting biblical/theological/historical boundaries on the answer. But, Christianity is ALSO a relationship, the religion directing the Christian believer to a Person: God Almighty, the Ultimate Source of the Christian religion.

The system of beliefs and practices called Judaism didn't nail Jesus to the cross, either, though it was Jewish men who conspired to have Jesus murdered. No, it was the hypocrisy, pride and jealousy of these wicked, power-hungry men that provoked them to crucify Jesus. Such awful traits are not unique to the religious, however, but are found in every domain of human endeavour. Judaism originated with Yahweh, after all, who, through Moses, issued a very comprehensive system of beliefs and practices that set apart the Israelites from all other nations as God's Chosen People.



You're quite right that God doesn't have any respect for Man-made religion, but He does recognize the religion He gave to humanity, first through Moses and then through Jesus.



Right. That faith is actually a gift from God (Romans 12:3; 2 Timothy 2:25) that His Spirit nurtures in us, causing it, over time, to grow.



So, when you write "walk in the Spirit of Truth" what do you mean, exactly? What is it to "walk in the Spirit"?

When you write "within the flesh there is no good things that would help us lead others to the Lord" is this what Paul meant when he wrote something similar in Romans 7:18? Did he mean to say that his flesh, his physical body, was evil? Is this what you think? If so, how is this not Gnostic thinking?

Can things that don't please God still be moral and helpful? Is the unsaved firefighter who rescues a child from a burning house actually doing something evil because he is unsaved? Or is his rescue of the child moral and helpful though it is not spiritually useful? I ask because many Christians would actually say that the firefighter's rescue of the girl was evil, which is quite bizarre and a violent contortion of Scripture.

James actually explained what he meant by "faith without works is dead" which, it turns out, doesn't mean "non-existent/illusory," as so many Christians tend to think.

- "dead" faith is not expressed practically in good deeds. (vs. 14-18)
- "dead" faith is "alone." (vs. 17)
- "dead" faith is "useless." (vs. 20)
- "dead" faith is "incomplete." (vs. 22)



So, you agree, then, that our faith is not the key to our salvation or walk with God but the Object of our faith who is Jesus Christ?



This sounds like you do agree that the Object of our faith is the important thing, not the quantity or quality of our faith.



What does this all mean, exactly?



Does the Bible produce faith? Or does it just properly orient a person's God-given capacity for faith upon God and His Truth? Scripture says that God gives to each person a "measure of faith." As I understand it, they then use this faith to trust in what God has said to them in His word. As they do, and their experience of God's Truth deepens and expands, their faith (in God and His word) also does the same.

It's interesting to read your explanations of how you understand what it is to be a child of God!

Getting ready to go out of town will reply when we get back sometime tomorrow or Tuesday.