Justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.

[TruthSeeker2012]

Come now, and let us reason together, KJV Isa 1:18

Questions:

1. We need to be justified to be saved? Agree or Disagree?

2. If agreed, then how are we justified? By faith alone, or by works alone, or by a mixture of faith + works?

3. How do we then remain justified?

4. Once we are justified, can we lose our justification? Is so, how?

5. Can we then be justified again if you believe we can lose our justification? If so, how can we be justified again?

6. Once we have been justified the second time, what must we do to remain justified?

7. And the cycle begins all over again... justified one moment, not justified another moment and then being justified again and then losing it again, and then being justified again etc... Is that how justification works? Yes or No?

8. Or do you believe as I do, that a person is justified by faith alone and will remain justified always because the person continues to have faith in Jesus?

9. For people who believe that a person can lose their justification, please answer this question...there are 168 hours per week, 8736 hours per year. How many of those hours does a person have to keep Gods Law and Commandments before they are justified and remain justified?

10. Thank you, I look forward to everyone's answers.

 

[savedbygrace57]

Predetermined Faith !

Eph 1:5

5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,


Those whom God predestinated unto the adoption of Children, their Faith or Believing in Christ was predestinated or predetermined.

The Elect become the Sons of God Manifestly by Faith as Per Gal 3:26

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Now the word Children here is the same as in Eph 1:5 , Its the word huios except in Eph 1:5 it is combined with the word tithemi and is so rendered huiothesia to emphasize the element of being placed or appointed as a Son or Adoption. God predetermined this from eternity for each Chosen one. If this be so, then Faith in Christ Jesus was predetermined ! To have been predestinated unto the Adoption of Children includes Faith in Christ, its a given !

And this predetermination was not based on anything foreseen of them of God, but " according to the good pleasure of His will "

Yes, Faith in Christ is to those who are given it,is according to God's god pleasure and will.

 

[TruthSeeker2012]

Predetermined Faith !

Eph 1:5

5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,


Those whom God predestinated unto the adoption of Children, their Faith or Believing in Christ was predestinated or predetermined.

The Elect become the Sons of God Manifestly by Faith as Per Gal 3:26

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Now the word Children here is the same as in Eph 1:5 , Its the word huios except in Eph 1:5 it is combined with the word tithemi and is so rendered huiothesia to emphasize the element of being placed or appointed as a Son or Adoption. God predetermined this from eternity for each Chosen one. If this be so, then Faith in Christ Jesus was predetermined ! To have been predestinated unto the Adoption of Children includes Faith in Christ, its a given !

And this predetermination was not based on anything foreseen of them of God, but " according to the good pleasure of His will "

Yes, Faith in Christ is to those who are given it,is according to God's god pleasure and will.

I disagree with much of your post and to say that certain people are predestined and selected to accept Christ by faith attacks all that is taught in Scripture regarding free will.

 

[Former Christian]

TruthSeeker2012

“1. We need to be justified to be saved? Agree or Disagree?â€

Agree.


“2. If agreed, then how are we justified? By faith alone, or by works alone, or by a mixture of faith + works?â€

According to James, the idea of faith alone isn’t possible. According to Paul, we are Justified by the faith of Christ, not our own faith. The works of Christ that express his faith are related to his death on the cross. Redemption and propitiation is through the shed blood of Christ.


“3. How do we then remain justified?â€

It is God who Justifies the one who is out of the faith of Christ.


“4. Once we are justified, can we lose our justification? Is so, how?â€

No. (see #3).


“5. Can we then be justified again if you believe we can lose our justification? If so, how can we be justified again?

6. Once we have been justified the second time, what must we do to remain justified?

7. And the cycle begins all over again... justified one moment, not justified another moment and then being justified again and then losing it again, and then being justified again etc... Is that how justification works? Yes or No?â€

See above.


“8. Or do you believe as I do, that a person is justified by faith alone and will remain justified always because the person continues to have faith in Jesus?â€

Sorry. I’m not a Protestant and I don’t believe in the validity of the Justified by faith alone idea of Martin Luther.


“9. For people who believe that a person can lose their justification, please answer this question...there are 168 hours per week, 8736 hours per year. How many of those hours does a person have to keep Gods Law and Commandments before they are justified and remain justified?â€

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. We are Justified by works of Law through the faith of Christ. The righteousness of the Law is only fulfilled in those who are in Christ so long as they are walking by the Holy Spirit.


“10. Thank you, I look forward to everyone's answers.â€

Your Welcome. I would have included Scripture references. But in Christianity, the interpretation of Scripture is more important than what Scripture says on its own. I’ll provide references if you ask.

FC

 

[TruthSeeker2012]

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

[savedbygrace57]

Faith is not the cause of Salvation !

Many today have made Faith or believing the cause of salvation, however that is error, Grace is the cause of Salvation, Faith comes along with the Grace which saves and so those being saved believe by means of Grace Eph 2:8 and Acts 18:27.

Faith is not the basis of Salvation, thats the obedience of Christ Rom 5:19

Faith is not the power by which Salvation is performed, that is the Work of the Spirit 2 Thess 2:13-14.

Faith is not the Saviour, but Christ is. However Faith is the evidence of Salvation, it is the means by which a Knowledge of ones Salvation is Revealed Rom 1:16-17, and we thereby receive that knowledge and enjoy it. There is no experiential Salvation apart from God given Faith, which is the Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22

 

[TruthSeeker2012]

Faith is not the cause of Salvation !

Many today have made Faith or believing the cause of salvation, however that is error, Grace is the cause of Salvation, Faith comes along with the Grace which saves and so those being saved believe by means of Grace Eph 2:8 and Acts 18:27.

Faith is not the basis of Salvation, thats the obedience of Christ Rom 5:19

Faith is not the power by which Salvation is performed, that is the Work of the Spirit 2 Thess 2:13-14.

Faith is not the Saviour, but Christ is. However Faith is the evidence of Salvation, it is the means by which a Knowledge of ones Salvation is Revealed Rom 1:16-17, and we thereby receive that knowledge and enjoy it. There is no experiential Salvation apart from God given Faith, which is the Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22

Your comments CONTRADICT Jesus and Scripture!!!

And the contradictions and errror from you began with the title, "Justified by the faith of Jesus Christ."

Because the truth is, we are JUSTIFIED BY OUR FAITH IN JESUS", not "JUSTIFIED BY THE FAITH OF JESUS" as you suggest!

 

[Former Christian]

Acts 18:27-28

27 And when he (Apollos) wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,
28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (NASB)

Everyone believes through grace. I don’t think that’s questioned by any. Apollos was refuting the faith of the Jews, implying he had his own faith with which to refute it. This has nothing to do with whether or not one is saved by his own faith.


Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (NASB)

The idea that we are saved by grace is all over the New Testament. Of that there can be no doubt. But what these verses show also is that we aren’t saved by our own faith, but rather the faith of another. Because what is evident here is that we are indeed saved through faith. And it is also evident that we aren’t saved by our own faith. And that is what this thread questions. Are we Justified by our faith in Christ or are we Justified by the faith of Christ? Personally, I’m on the side of Justified by the faith of Christ. And this Scripture portion is one reason.

I realize that those who see the reality of this verse usually claim that we are saved by a special faith given to us by God. But there is no indication anywhere in the New Testament that there exists a faith that we can only exercise in one way. A faith given that enables us to believe in God. A faith that really isn’t our own, and does only what God intended it to do. Rather, there is personal faith using personal pronouns indicating that it is indeed our faith. A faith that can believe God or believe in something else.


Romans 5:15-21

15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NASB)

The expression of the grace of God is the free gift. Verse 18-19 is one of the most obvious portions against the Calvinistic idea of a special personal election. The Calvinists emphasize the many of verse 19 not realizing that the many refers to both those who sinned in Adam and those who are made righteous in Christ. They miss verse 18 altogether that shows that condemnation was to all men just as the righteousness of Christ was to all men. And that is all that is said here. Nothing referring to the idea of universal salvation as the Calvinists like to claim against anyone who brings up these verses. For the revelation that the righteousness of Christ is efficacious to only those who believe God and are baptized into Christ, one must look elsewhere in this letter.


2Thessalonians 2:13-15

13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (NASB)

The word chosen in verse 13 is what attracts the Calvinists to this portion. First, Paul is talking to a group of people, the Thessalonians (1:1). So what he is saying here is no different than what he says in Ephesians. That they are chosen in Christ. Second, the Greek word translated “sanctification†means simply “to set apartâ€. Has no mystical meaning attached to it. All who are in Christ are set apart in the new creation from those who are still only part of the old creation in Adam. Third, the translation of the Greek word meaning “in†as “throughâ€. This mistranslation changes the meaning of the phrase. But no doubt there are those who think that “in†means “through†and vice versa. We are saved in the setting apart of the Spirit, not through the Spirit. This is just Romans 6:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. Fourth, the phrase “faith in the truthâ€. The context implies that the faith is the faith of the Thessalonians. They are saved by their belief of the truth. This is just Romans 4. It is their faith into Christ.

In verse 14, it starts literally “into which he called you through our good newsâ€. That is the purpose of the good news and those who preach it. To call. The second half of the verse gives the purpose of the call. Literally, “into our obtaining of the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christâ€. Jesus has glory that he wants us to obtain, to acquire. Paul says that the Thessalonians already had this glory because they are saved.

Verse 15 is merely an encouragement to stand fast and hold on to what they have. There’s no implication that they can lose their salvation here. Verses 16-17 show that the situation they were in (vs. 3) required that they be encouraged to not be deceived, but to hold fast to what they already knew to be true.


Galatians 5:16-25

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (NASB)

As seen by the context and the first sentence, the purpose of the fruit of the Spirit is to replace the desires of the flesh. And according to Paul, this fruit is only available so long as we walk by the Spirit. Verse 25 clearly shows that we live by the Spirit. And that walking by the Spirit is a choice. Thus it can’t be a reference to faith received for salvation. Besides elsewhere it is our own human faith that puts us into the position to be saved, in Christ. Such as Romans 1:16.

FC

 

[Former Christian]

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ: for it is the power of God into salvation to every one believing; both to the Jew first, and to the Greek.
17 For the righteousness of God in it is revealed out faith into faith: according as it has been written, But the righteous shall live out of faith. (Literal, Byzantine compilation)

I chose to use a literal translation in this case because the English translations tend to interpretively translate the prepositions.

In these two verses is the key to understanding Romans. In Romans is the key to understanding the whole New Testament. To interpret Romans and change its meaning thereby has great repercussions. Protestantism began and continues in denominationalism through an interpretive misunderstanding concerning Romans. Orthodoxy/Catholicism continues in denominationalism through an interpretive misunderstanding of Romans and James.

This letter concerns the Gospel, the good news, of Christ (Rom 1-8); and the practical application of the Gospel, regarding the Jewish/Gentile relationship (Rom 9-11), and regarding all (Rom 12-16).

This Gospel is the Power of God. Why? Because of what it reveals. It reveals that all are condemned because of their relationship to Adam. It also reveals that all can be saved through a relationship to Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is the power of God into Salvation. The Gospel is how God has chosen to reveal real reality to all. And a part of that reality is salvation in Christ. The Gospel reveals and thus is the power of God into Salvation. Doesn’t imply that preachers have the power to save people. That power is in Christ.

But there is a condition. The Gospel is the power of God only to those who choose to believe it. It has no power in relation to those who choose to believe something else. This isn’t referring to the faith of Christ. It isn’t referring to some mysterious faith given by God that enables us (forces us, practically speaking) to believe in the Gospel. It is just our faith. We hear the Gospel. We either believe it or we don’t. (Rom 10:8-16, while this refers specifically to the Jews, it also applies to all in principle.) I know many good Atheists and good people who believe in other religions. But they haven’t believed in the Gospel of Christ. Thus they are not in Christ. Thus they are not Saved. I can pray on their behalf that God will hound them to their grave. I can do no more, except answer to the best of my ability any questions they may ask.

God by his grace provides the Gospel. Our faith, whether it be for or against, regarding the truth of the Gospel, is simply our response. If we believe it’s true we are in effect believing God (Rom 4), the one who gave the Gospel. And that faith in God (Rom 4) puts us into Christ, along with the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Rom 6). In Christ, we are made righteous through the faith of Christ. (Rom 3:20-31). Out of faith, our faith. Into faith, the faith of Christ (vs. 17).

One of the discrepancies in the Bible is Paul’s misquote of Habakkuk 2:4. He leaves out the pronoun, “But the righteous shall live out of faithâ€. Habakkuk 2:4 says in the Hebrew, “but the just shall live by his faith.†The Latin Vulgate has always agreed with the Hebrew. The Greek Septuagint reads, “but the just shall live by my faith.â€

The West follows the Hebrew, “his faithâ€. It resulted in division. A division in the sixteenth century, between the leadership of the Western Church who believed that we are made righteous by our own faith and the works that express that faith, and the followers of the idea of Martin Luther (including John Calvin) who believed that we are made righteous by our own faith alone apart from the works that express that faith.

I’m not sure how the Eastern Orthodox understands this matter. I’ve received contradictory information. But in America, it appears to be a non-issue to them. They use Western English Bibles. Not Bibles translated from their own compilations, that are different from the compilations used in the West. (the Greek Septuagint Old Testament and a form of the Byzantine New Testament that is similar to the Majority compilation by Maurice Robinson)

It is my opinion that it should be “my faithâ€, in agreement with the Greek Septuagint. Thus referring to the faith of God, rather than our own human faith. Paul quotes from the Greek Septuagint most of the time. Further, it is in keeping with what I believe is the correct translation of Romans 3:22, “righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christâ€. The faith of Christ is the same as the faith of God. God has made Jesus Christ our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30). As Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him as righteousness (Rom 4), so also we believe God by believing in his Gospel, and we are put into Christ, in whom the righteousness of Christ through his faith is imputed to us as righteousness. The common Catholic and Protestant thinking of today is just a continuation of what was believed during the sixteenth century era of division.

Our faith and what we choose to believe affects whether or not we are saved. But our faith is not the cause, nor the basis, of our salvation. The grace of God is the cause of salvation. The basis of salvation is the faith of Jesus Christ. By and because of the grace of God, salvation is in Christ. Those who choose to believe the revelation of God and thereby God himself, are put into Christ by God. And for those who are in Christ, the righteousness of Jesus Christ becomes the righteousness of the one who is in Christ.

“The righteous shall walk by faithâ€, implies to the Catholic that Justification is a progressive event. It implies to the Wesleyan that Justification is dependent on the faith of the individual. Yet Romans is clear that if one is in Christ, such a one can’t lose his salvation because salvation is based on the faith and works of Christ, not on the faith or lack of faith of the individual. Our faith only affects our salvation initially, according to whether or not we choose to believe God. After we’re in Christ, our faith affects how we live our daily lives as one who is in Christ. That’s why it’s important to walk by the Spirit. And learning to walk by the Spirit appears to be a progressive matter. It is progressively experiential. As we learn to walk by the Spirit more and more, our faith more and more corresponds to the faith of Jesus Christ. It is conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. It is being transformed by the renewing of our mind.

Paul never said that those who walked as men (1 Cor) were no longer in Christ. Rather, he encouraged them to no longer walk as men. If they lost their salvation, he would have encouraged them to be re-saved. I’ve heard of those who believe in re-baptism, but not any who believe in re-salvation. I’ve heard of some who claim that salvation can be lost, but they don’t believe in re-baptism, which in itself nullifies their claim. Rather, they believe in confession to get back to being right with God. Which in practicality shows that their salvation wasn’t lost.

And that’s the way I see it.

FC

 

[savedbygrace57]

New Birth before the Hearing and Faith !

Can a deaf man hear ? Can a blind man see ? Well by Nature, all natural men are both spiritually blind and deaf, cannot see nor hear. Scripture says that Faith cometh by Hearing , and that Hearing is by the Word of God. Lets look at a parable that Jesus Himself taught, and gives us to understand that Spiritual Life or New birth precedes believing and understanding the Truth of the Gospel.

Matt 13:23

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

This Parable can be very instructive if we have been given ears to hear. Lets look at the context to get a picture of what is going on Matt 13:3-9

We have been presented in this scenario with four types of grounds, and notice should be taken of one type called the good ground vs 23 ! Now we know Jesus means a person as the ground by the words "but he"

Now how can this be if scripture in another place states that none is good but one Matt 19:17 in the original it's The Good ! God only is intrinsically good ! Also man by nature cannot do good, perform good Rom 3:12.

However we can become Good when God makes us good. Yes the ground or the person becomes good when it is Divinely Cultivated or Prepared. When a gardener takes soil and prepares it to receive the seed sown, He can call the soil good, and so in like manner an inward change in a person to make them good to receive the seed of the Gospel has been done. Ezk 36:26. This is New Birth, which gives the ability to Hear and Understand the Truth of the Gospel ! Notice what Jesus says of the person or ground in vs 23

23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

None of the other grounds were said to understandeth it ! Its the same word used in Lk 24:45

45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And that's what Christ has done [by His Spirit] for the good ground hearer, that they may hear and understand the scripture, which contains the Gospel 1 Cor 15:3-4

3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

If we look again at the parable, we see no difference in the seed sown, but only in the grounds which they were sown ! Now who causeth one to differ ?

 

[stovebolts]

Now how can this be if scripture in another place states that none is good but one Matt 19:17 in the original it's The Good ! God only is intrinsically good ! Also man by nature cannot do good, perform good Rom 3:12.

Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.


Matthew 7:9-12 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Hmm... Jesus seems to be saying that even though we are evil, we know how to do good... Not sure Romans 3:12 should be redacted with the parable of the sower..

Just sayin ;)

 

[savedbygrace57]

Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.


Matthew 7:9-12 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Hmm... Jesus seems to be saying that even though we are evil, we know how to do good... Not sure Romans 3:12 should be redacted with the parable of the sower..

Just sayin ;)

Jesus did not say they did good, but gave good gifts. He still call them evil..

 

[Saltwater]

Hello SbG57,

I am glad to see you have made a comment about some Bible verses posted by a third party.

Does this mean your recent post in your “No Condemnation†thread dated the 20 Aug is now null & void?

“I am not here to explain scriptures you bring to the table, I am explaining the ones I bring to the table. And since you show unbelief in the ones I am currently explaining, I am not going to put forth an effort to explain your scriptures. Its your job to show how your scriptures disprove what I have said, that you have failed to do.â€

If that statement is now null & void & judging by your comment in this thread I would presume that it is I would encourage you to return to your No Condemnation thread & explain to the forum members & guests why the two ITim verses I mentioned do not make your belief that Christians can never come under condemnation false.

"speaking the truth in love" Eph4:11-15

 

[savedbygrace57]

Sanctification before belief !

2 Thess 2:13

13But 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:

The word belief here in this scripture is the greek word pistis

and 239 times in the NT it is translated Faith ! In the text we find it in 2 Thess 2:13, we find that no one can believe the Truth or have Faith in the Truth, whether God's Word or God's Christ, unless or without first partaking of the Sovereign sanctifying work of the Spirit !

This is made evident as this Truth is in contrast to those who do not receive the Love of the Truth, that they might be saved in the preceding verses 2 Thess 2:10-12

10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Then begins the contrast word but to begin vs 13 The difference being described as those being Chosen to Salvation !

Notice also that Paul calls them believing the Truth because of sanctification of the Spirit, He calls the " brethren beloved of the Lord" intimating at least Two things #1. Those who do not receive the Love of the Truth, are not the beloved of the Lord, and #2. those God loves, shall believe the Truth. Those who are Chosen. The disciples, whom had been Chosen, they received the word Jn 17:8

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

God's Truth is sanctified, this we know from Jesus words Jn 17:17

In the greek, the fact that God's word is The Truth, then it is God's Truth, so therefore it is sanctified Truth, therefore its appropriate why those who favorably receive it, and Love it, are themselves sanctified unto the reception of it. See Matt 13:23, the good ground hearers , is ground or soil or persons that have been set apart !

 

[childeye]

When I see the faith of Christ, it is a fidelity of trust in His Father and the sure conviction of God's Holiness. This is THEEE Faith. The Faith of Christ directed towards God is the trust in God that he is always trustworthy. It is belief that Love is eternal.

Faith in Christ is trusting God sent this man Jesus, and we should take his words as God Himself. Faith of Christ therefore is both subjective and objective and should be viewed together at once so that we might comprehend from faith to faith for it is all the same faith. For God has faith that men will have faith in eternal Love when He reveals Himself. Consequently from this perspective God's faith can be argued to be the cause of salvation.

Man's faith better described as belief, must be counted relative to an Absolute, or else if it is pointed away from God, it is in reality faith that God is not God and therefore is not faith at all but unbelief. Semantics are ever the problem.

Regarding Grace, I would agree that faith comes by grace to those who are ignorant of God without taking away the fact that Faith was ever from the beginning and not all men have been ignorant of God.

 

[savedbygrace57]

Gal 3:26

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Most professing christians read and understand this verse to be saying, that one becomes a child of God because of their exercising faith or an act of believing, but this cannot be further from the Truth, in fact, its a deliberate lie for the most part. Just as in the case of Justification, faith in Christ is not causative of it, or neither one becoming a Child of God, however both are due to one's Eternal Election in Christ; But ones Faith in or trust in, or believing in Christ, is evidence and fruit of Eternal Adoption and Justification ! Eph 1:3-6

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4According 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:

5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

One's Faith in Christ in time has been given for the evidence and assurance of their Adoption and Election from everlasting !

 

[childeye]

=savedbygrace57;570322]Gal 3:26

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Most professing christians read and understand this verse to be saying, that one becomes a child of God because of their exercising faith or an act of believing, but this cannot be further from the Truth, in fact, its a deliberate lie for the most part.

How is it you say this is a deliberate lie for the most part? If men are not free in their wills they are either blind made seeing or seeing made blind.
The only way I can see this as a deliberate lie is to chalk it up to the devil and even then since there is no Truth in him, I doubt he could do otherwise.

 

[savedbygrace57]

The Faith of Jesus Christ !

Many today in organized religion have no idea that Salvation rests upon the foundation of an Eternal Everlasting Covenant, of which the Lord Jesus Christ before the world began covenanted with His Father in regards to the Eternal Salvation of a multitude that had been given to Him by the Father, and in this Covenant arrangement He became their [ Those given to Him by His Father [ Jn 17:2], so much so, that their entire Salvation and Eternal Glory was dependent upon Christ fulfilling His part of the Covenant Agreement, which was to shed His blood by way of the cross !

With this in mind, What does the Faith of Christ means ? The word of God makes it plain that believers are Justified by the Faith of Jesus Christ Gal 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

This simply means that one's Justification before God Legally and Eternally was totally accomplished by Jesus Christ and His Faithful obedience unto death , and that it [ Justification before God] was apart from anything we did or said or thought, but solely by the Faith or Faithfulness, Obedience of their Surety ! Rom 5:19; Heb 3:2

Heb 3:2

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

This Faithfulness was exemplified in Him through His Death making Atonement for the Sins of the People Heb 2:17

 

[savedbygrace57]

More on the Faith of Christ !

It is amazing that Paul under the inspiration of God uses this wording seven times in His Epistles shows its vital significance !

Gal 2:16,20

16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Gal 3:22

22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.



Rom 3:22

22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Eph 3:12

12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Phil 3:9

9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Our Faith in Christ is a result and fruit of the Faith or Faithfulness. If anyone believes in Christ [savingly as Heb 10:39b] its because of the Faithfulness of Christ as their Surety!

Its just like what paul writes in Rom 5:19b

19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

You see, by the obedience or Faithfulness of one, shall many be made righteous or to believe or have Faith. The word righteous in this verse is the greek word dikaios and is also translated just

as in Rom 1:17

17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

So, Rom 5:19 could very well read, by the obedience of faithulness of ONE, many shall be made Just !

And the promise in Rom 1:17 is that the Just SHALL live by Faith !

So in Essence, its because of the obedience or Faithfulness of ONE Jesus Christ that many shall be made to live by Faith !

So thats the meaning of living by the Faith of Christ ! Gal 2:20

20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The ISV [2008] reads :

I no longer live, but the Messiah lives in me, and the life that I am now living in this body I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is why the writer of Hebrews writes this Heb 12:2

2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It cannot be more plainer that scripture testifies that Jesus is the author of our Faith, the causer of our Faith.

The word author is the greek word archēgos :

the chief leader, prince

a) of Christ

2) one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer

3) the author

One may reply, I do not see anything about Jesus being the cause of one's Faith from these definitions ! But there is. You see Jesus is the predecessor and Head of a Seed that shall be made to follow His Example of Faith

His type is Abraham and it reads in Rom 4:12

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Also, the word author is made up of the root word archē which has the meaning of:

that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause

This means without question that Jesus is the active cause of our life of Faith, we begin a life of Faith because of Jesus. Its because of His Faithfulness ! His obedience unto Death..

 

[savedbygrace57]

More on the Faith of Christ !

So Our Faith in Christ is the fruit and effect of the faith or Faithfulness of Christ, If anyone is believing in Jesus [savingly] it is because of the Faithfulness of Christ as their Surety !

The Faith of Faithfulness of Christ points points to His Faithfulness as Mediator in performing all of the Father's will Jn 6:38-40;Heb 10:9

Jn 6:38-40

38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Heb 10:9

9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Its by Christ Faithfulness in Establishing this second covenant by His obedient death, that this provides to all for whom He was Surety in behalf of, that God would work in them that which is well pleasing in His sight, which Faith is a evidence of. Heb 13:20-21

20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Notice, He works that in them which is pleasing in His Sight [Faith] to do His will, through Jesus Christ, that is because of His Covenant Faithfulness.

Now what is well pleasing in His sight ? Heb 11:6

6But 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 them that diligently seek him.

So Faith to please God, is the effect and result of Christ Faith or Faithfulness to the Covenant.