netchaplain
Member
Faith does not admit in degrees of quantity, but in quality, as displayed in Mark 17:20 that even “a grain of mustard seed” is sufficient. Therefore, usages such as “little faith” (Mat 6:30) and “great faith” (Mat 8:10) must be capacities of quality.
The idea of “adding to faith” (2 Pet 1:5) intends not the combining of something extra to faith, but rather to the bringing out of all that is along (already inclusive) with faith, for such attributes like virtue, knowledge, etc. are by the Spirit and are inclusive with faith (same with the rest of His fruit), which become more manifest when exercised, similar to the concept that all possess every muscle, but the muscles that are exercised are mostly manifested.
Faith is never that which enables us to do, but is the provision to be used by the Spirit’s doing, for it is not faith in self that is effectual, but faith in God. Even in the greatest of saints it is imperfect, and at times weak and defective (still more valuable than gold - 1 Pet 1:7) in its exercise, which is expected due to the “old man”, but nevertheless is sufficient for the Spirit’s use.
The father of a child who had “a dumb spirit” told Jesus he “believed” but asked Him to “help his unbelief” (Mark 9:24), which evinced the awareness of the father’s imperfect faith. The Apostles asked Jesus to “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5), which also evinced a need to address a lack in their faith (again, an expected and acceptable deficiency).
I believe it is an encouraging exercise against discouragement, to walk in the awareness of our condition (tainted with the sin nature) while resting in the efficacy of Christ's atonement for our position (justified regardless).
-NC
‘“Add to your faith virtue”; or "with your faith," so the Arabic version renders it, and the like, in the following clauses. The sense is, that as it is the basis and foundation of all good works, it should not stand alone, there ought to be virtue, or good works along with it, by which it may be perfected, not essentially, but evidentially, or might appear to be true and genuine.”
-John Gill
The idea of “adding to faith” (2 Pet 1:5) intends not the combining of something extra to faith, but rather to the bringing out of all that is along (already inclusive) with faith, for such attributes like virtue, knowledge, etc. are by the Spirit and are inclusive with faith (same with the rest of His fruit), which become more manifest when exercised, similar to the concept that all possess every muscle, but the muscles that are exercised are mostly manifested.
Faith is never that which enables us to do, but is the provision to be used by the Spirit’s doing, for it is not faith in self that is effectual, but faith in God. Even in the greatest of saints it is imperfect, and at times weak and defective (still more valuable than gold - 1 Pet 1:7) in its exercise, which is expected due to the “old man”, but nevertheless is sufficient for the Spirit’s use.
The father of a child who had “a dumb spirit” told Jesus he “believed” but asked Him to “help his unbelief” (Mark 9:24), which evinced the awareness of the father’s imperfect faith. The Apostles asked Jesus to “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5), which also evinced a need to address a lack in their faith (again, an expected and acceptable deficiency).
I believe it is an encouraging exercise against discouragement, to walk in the awareness of our condition (tainted with the sin nature) while resting in the efficacy of Christ's atonement for our position (justified regardless).
-NC
‘“Add to your faith virtue”; or "with your faith," so the Arabic version renders it, and the like, in the following clauses. The sense is, that as it is the basis and foundation of all good works, it should not stand alone, there ought to be virtue, or good works along with it, by which it may be perfected, not essentially, but evidentially, or might appear to be true and genuine.”
-John Gill
Great post!! James said, "Thus faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:17 When you start stepping out for the Lord, you find out right away how much faith you must have and how much the Lord will give you when you need it.