What is Biblical Faith?

[glorydaz]

Psalm 44:18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

19Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

22Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

[DarcyLu]

correct me if i am wrong here, please, but having Bibical faith is just not a one time occurence, such as Jesus died for my sins, it is an ongoing, growing process in which as we demonstrate our faith through our "works" we grow in our faith and we trust God for more and more.

we can trust Him for healing and He heals, yet then we can have faith in Him for more and more, our entire reliance is upon Him and this is what He wants. right? our faith is in Him and not in anything else.

 

[DarcyLu]

this is kind of a weird analogy, yet as i was reading how the israelites were given manna (bread from heaven), they gathered this bread, just as we are given "bread from heaven" and as they gathered so must we gather this bread, this is part of the "works", He died for us, so we must gather this gift, knowledge, mercy, grace, healing, forgiveness, fruit of the Spirit all He has given to us, in faith.

in addition, as the israelites roamed their wilderness, they lacked faith and so were not allowed into the promised land, the same with us. God takes us through our own wilderness and will we have faith to believe Him and to cross the Jordan into the promised land, it is a free gift, but we are to gather it, in faith and the evidence of taking a hold of it, is the "work" we will show and ultimately our fruit will produce a conforming into His image. i don't believe this takes away from His work, what He has done for Us on the cross as it is not us, but it is Him in us who is doing the work for transformation. it is all Him as we die to ourselves and allow Him to live through us as we abide in Him. just my

 

[Geo]

Well, to gather this bread, manna, is not only basic survival, it's also an integrity test, a selection process. The ones that say the trust God and the ones that stand on His promise and absolutely rely on it with their lifes will have different responses from God, based on the choices they make.

integrity test, because we can potentially deny with our action what we seem to profess with our mouth, example:

Titus 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This will once again become the great dividing line at time when the mark of the beast will be enforced on earth. We will have to make a choice whom we really trust with our life. And this one will not be a simple forum vote, it will have real actual consequences for eternity.

 

[DarcyLu]

Well, to gather this bread, manna, is not only basic survival, it's also an integrity test, a selection process. The ones that say the trust God and the ones that stand on His promise and absolutely rely on it with their lifes will have different responses from God, based on the choices they make.

integrity test, because we can potentially deny with our action what we seem to profess with our mouth, example:

Titus 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This will once again become the great dividing line at time when the mark of the beast will be enforced on earth. We will have to make a choice whom we really trust with our life. And this one will not be a simple forum vote, it will have real actual consequences for eternity.

yes, i agree and now is the time of preparation for then (tribulation). He is preparing us to completely trust in Him for all our needs NOW and once we are in the wilderness of tribulation, we will have already learned how to do just that.

 

[GodspromisesRyes]

yes, i agree and now is the time of preparation for then (tribulation). He is preparing us to completely trust in Him for all our needs NOW and once we are in the wilderness of tribulation, we will have already learned how to do just that.

I agree, HOPEFULLY we are learning it now, I think this is part of how the saints will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.

When you have walked in faith of God and looked ONLY to Him, and have seen His salvation come through from your faith, then you have built up testimony that no one can take from you if you will believe it. It will be hard for the enemy to decieve you away from God when you have actually experienced the kingdom of God IN YOU and coming unto you from heaven directly in accordance with your faith. That is a relationship between two people, not just a book or a church sermon.

 

[DarcyLu]

I agree, HOPEFULLY we are learning it now, I think this is part of how the saints will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.

i was going to add "HOPEFULLY" but was afraid it would put a damper on my point.

When you have walked in faith of God and looked ONLY to Him, and have seen His salvation come through from your faith, then you have built up testimony that no one can take from you if you will believe it. It will be hard for the enemy to decieve you away from God when you have actually experienced the kingdom of God IN YOU and coming unto you from heaven directly in accordance with your faith. That is a relationship between two people, not just a book or a church sermon.

yes, i agree and this is exactly what i am working on and praying for a total dependency on Him for everything, there will come a time, if we are the ones going through tribulation and maybe even before then, we will not have medical technology available, weapons available for protection, food, water and our reliance on Him will be our survival. especially in the US where all our needs have been met entirely, we are not used to a complete reliance on Him (this is true for me, perhaps not for others). He will carry us through, in faith. there are still things i don't understand about it all, but this is what He has been showing me at this point, abiding in Him and having faith in Him for all my needs. He is a faithful Father! :yes

 

[shad]

Amen. Jesus called that the .........meat. Paul told them they were not ready for the meat , but only for the milk (the hearing, without the doing )

Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

So its about the REST in Hebrews. Once we have faith in what God SAYS , we will act accordingly.

C,

I found your mistake:

John 4:34 (New American Standard Bible)

34Jesus said to them, "My food is to (A)do the will of Him who sent Me and to (B)accomplish His work.

It is food, not meat. There is a difference.

 

[glorydaz]

The best way to increase our faith is by reading the Word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Then to hide it in our hearts.
If they take my Bible, I want the Word close at hand.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 

[shad]

The best way to increase our faith is by reading the Word of God.

Not just read it, you should be a doer of what you learn from the Bible.

 

[glorydaz]

The best way to increase our faith is by reading the Word of God.

Not just read it, you should be a doer of what you learn from the Bible.

Yes, you should....show forth the love of God.
I know that's hard, but practice makes perfect.

 

[jasoncran]

If one really reads the word daily and is seeking the writer of the Word, then true change will occur.

 

[glorydaz]

If one really reads the word daily and is seeking the writer of the Word, then true change will occur.

Very true...and I'll add, if one never reads the Word or never hears the Word, the change will be for the worse. Talking about the Bible never helps anyone unless we "eat" of it ourselves.

 

[Geo]

Deuteronomy 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

and then in the NT:

John 6:58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Full consistency in OT vs NT, most Bible controversies are just human theology

Deuteronomy 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

"that he might prove thee" means there is and always was a checking on the fruit

And not just once, "from faith to faith" in Romans 1:17 means basically an ongoing series of tests. Like multiple pruning.

There might be a progession involved, my last one humbled me to bits, because there was nothing I could possibly do to solve it. We always have to choose to walk after either the flesh or after the Spirit,we know that but when it comes to "deadend" situations one could forget that easily or not believe the "impossible" would be possible. A while ago I was confronted with the choice to either walk by what my eyes and the logic evidence seems to indicate, or by faith. The situation was a major legal case forced unto me, where missing documents would not allow me to continue a project, although by faith I believed I should. I was very desperate and couldn't solve this by my own abilities. What I read in psalms, after a confession that I came to my wits ends, described my situation exactly, to my surprise however the word there seemed to indicate a complete different outcome. It said God has intervened and changed the heart of officials involved to reevaluate the case. It would be a settled case already.

By sight I couldn't see that even one bit, but my heart was touched and I just believed that this was for me and it was already settled indeed. I thanked and praised Jesus for that much undeserved mercy, and the promise of settled resolution believed by faith. I had yet to stand on that faith for another few weeks before the highest ranking decison maker indicated that there would be a way to satisfy all parties involved perfectly. Looked at from human logic it was nothing short of a miracle to me.

Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 

[DarcyLu]

Deuteronomy 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

and then in the NT:

John 6:58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Full consistency in OT vs NT, most Bible controversies are just human theology

Deuteronomy 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

"that he might prove thee" means there is and always was a checking on the fruit

And not just once, "from faith to faith" in Romans 1:17 means basically an ongoing series of tests. Like multiple pruning.

There might be a progession involved, my last one humbled me to bits, because there was nothing I could possibly do to solve it. We always have to choose to walk after either the flesh or after the Spirit,we know that but when it comes to "deadend" situations one could forget that easily or not believe the "impossible" would be possible. A while ago I was confronted with the choice to either walk by what my eyes and the logic evidence seems to indicate, or by faith. The situation was a major legal case forced unto me, where missing documents would not allow me to continue a project, although by faith I believed I should. I was very desperate and couldn't solve this by my own abilities. What I read in psalms, after a confession that I came to my wits ends, described my situation exactly, to my surprise however the word there seemed to indicate a complete different outcome. It said God has intervened and changed the heart of officials involved to reevaluate the case. It would be a settled case already.

By sight I couldn't see that even one bit, but my heart was touched and I just believed that this was for me and it was already settled indeed. I thanked and praised Jesus for that much undeserved mercy, and the promise of settled resolution believed by faith. I had yet to stand on that faith for another few weeks before the highest ranking decison maker indicated that there would be a way to satisfy all parties involved perfectly. Looked at from human logic it was nothing short of a miracle to me.

Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

geo, great testimony, yes, we have to believe it's already done for us, which is not always easy to do to stand in faith like that.

 

[Cornelius]

Deuteronomy 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

and then in the NT:

John 6:58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Full consistency in OT vs NT, most Bible controversies are just human theology

Deuteronomy 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

"that he might prove thee" means there is and always was a checking on the fruit

And not just once, "from faith to faith" in Romans 1:17 means basically an ongoing series of tests. Like multiple pruning.

There might be a progession involved, my last one humbled me to bits, because there was nothing I could possibly do to solve it. We always have to choose to walk after either the flesh or after the Spirit,we know that but when it comes to "deadend" situations one could forget that easily or not believe the "impossible" would be possible. A while ago I was confronted with the choice to either walk by what my eyes and the logic evidence seems to indicate, or by faith. The situation was a major legal case forced unto me, where missing documents would not allow me to continue a project, although by faith I believed I should. I was very desperate and couldn't solve this by my own abilities. What I read in psalms, after a confession that I came to my wits ends, described my situation exactly, to my surprise however the word there seemed to indicate a complete different outcome. It said God has intervened and changed the heart of officials involved to reevaluate the case. It would be a settled case already.

By sight I couldn't see that even one bit, but my heart was touched and I just believed that this was for me and it was already settled indeed. I thanked and praised Jesus for that much undeserved mercy, and the promise of settled resolution believed by faith. I had yet to stand on that faith for another few weeks before the highest ranking decison maker indicated that there would be a way to satisfy all parties involved perfectly. Looked at from human logic it was nothing short of a miracle to me.

Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Thanks for your encouraging post Yes, when the situation looks impossible, we always are confronted with the decision to either trust God or try and sort it our ourselves.

I find that when it happens to me, that I always think: "Oh God no, this cannot be a test. If it is, then please find something else, because this is really unpleasant ! " LOL, it happens all the time. Whatever the test, it is always something that we do not want to be in. My flesh rebels and seeks an easy way out. If there is any doubt as to our position in Christ, we do not have boldness to go to God and no boldness to stand on the Word. The enemy knows this and will do all he can to keep us away from boldness.

C

 

[Cornelius]

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I find it interesting that it is "hearing" that comes by the Word of God. This would refer to what Jesus spoke of about having ears and not hearing. We can read the Word all of our lives and not "hear". This I believe is something that only prayer will rectify. We see this problem being spoken of in :Isa 42:18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Isa 42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
Isa 42:20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

Prayer must be constant for us to hear and see. We must always ask for understanding and wisdom from the Lord.

So, if we cannot really "hear" then faith will not happen either, because faith only comes when we truly hear what the Word is saying.

 

[shad]

Amen. Jesus called that the .........meat. Paul told them they were not ready for the meat , but only for the milk (the hearing, without the doing )

Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

So its about the REST in Hebrews. Once we have faith in what God SAYS , we will act accordingly.

C,

I found your mistake:

John 4:34 (New American Standard Bible)

34Jesus said to them, "My food is to (A)do the will of Him who sent Me and to (B)accomplish His work.

It is food, not meat. There is a difference.

C,

Why are you ignoring this post?

 

[Cornelius]

I do not want to argue. That is why.

First its not a mistake, because that is what the original text says. Secondly, the NASV is a corrupt translation.
Thirdly it has nothing to do with the topic.

 

[shad]

I do not want to argue. That is why.

First its not a mistake, because that is what the original text says. Secondly, the NASV is a corrupt translation.
Thirdly it has nothing to do with the topic.

Ok, suit yourself.

It is not just NASV translation.

We should get rid of our pride. We should apologize when we make mistake. The word "meat" is out of context in that verse.