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philbo
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Where does faith come from? How do people get it?
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philbo said:
Before answering your question I would like qualify the question with another question. What is faith?
It is a common belief that everyone has a natural intuitive faith. For example, when we sit on a chair we know the chair will hold us up. This is not a true faith, but rather a proven premise based on logic, concluded on the law of averages. This kind of faith is certainly not the faith spoken of in scriptures, for the scriptures speak of a faith that is credited as righteousness.
Now if we acknowledge that God is righteousness, then we must accept that faith is also a gift of God, revealed only by God, and not a development of any human intuitive intelligence. And it is only available to those to whom God chooses to reveal it.
stovebolts
Member
Philbo,
That’s a very good question. One that I may not fully understand myself, but I’ll give it a tug.
Plumb Lyrics put out a song called, A God Shaped hole that I think makes some pretty good observations.
So, what is that God shaped hole? Where does faith derive from? It is very possible that God created us this way (Genesis 2:7) and we are simply searching for our way back home?
Until recently, I did not understand the difference between the soul and the spirit, but I believe this faith that we (Christians) speak of, is the hope that our soul yearns for and actively seeks. If our soul in part represents our conscious thoughts and being ness, and it directly interacts with our flesh, then it’s no wonder that we have such a problem with faith and perhaps this is the war that Paul speaks about so often and amplifies in Romans 7.
Now, notice what Paul says in Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, being dead to that in which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Why? Because it appears to me that faith is the bridge between our soul and our spirit and in spirit, is where we commune with God for God is a spirit.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I have heard the arguments about faith and works… but in reality, if our faith is in Christ, then our works are not ours, but Christ in us.
James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? See how faith worked with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
That’s a very good question. One that I may not fully understand myself, but I’ll give it a tug.
Plumb Lyrics put out a song called, A God Shaped hole that I think makes some pretty good observations.
So, what is that God shaped hole? Where does faith derive from? It is very possible that God created us this way (Genesis 2:7) and we are simply searching for our way back home?
Until recently, I did not understand the difference between the soul and the spirit, but I believe this faith that we (Christians) speak of, is the hope that our soul yearns for and actively seeks. If our soul in part represents our conscious thoughts and being ness, and it directly interacts with our flesh, then it’s no wonder that we have such a problem with faith and perhaps this is the war that Paul speaks about so often and amplifies in Romans 7.
Now, notice what Paul says in Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, being dead to that in which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Why? Because it appears to me that faith is the bridge between our soul and our spirit and in spirit, is where we commune with God for God is a spirit.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I have heard the arguments about faith and works… but in reality, if our faith is in Christ, then our works are not ours, but Christ in us.
James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? See how faith worked with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
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GundamZero
Guest
For some Faith is a Belief in the unknown.
For a Child of God, faith the knowledge of the unseen.
For a Child of God, faith the knowledge of the unseen.
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philbo
Guest
How would someone get faith if he doesn't have it already?
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Solo
Guest
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17philbo said:
stovebolts
Member
Solo said:
Exactly !!
Great response Solo!
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philbo
Guest
OK, but suppose that doesn't work for everyone? What then?
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Solo
Guest
Then they have rejected the Word of God and will continue to be condemned for eternity.philbo said:
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bbas 64
Guest
philbo said:
Good Day, Philbo
Seeing the word of God naver fails in the purpose for which it was sent , thus does not return void. The only way to view this is that the word is sent with different purposes for different people.
Or the Word is sent for the purpose of saving all that hear it, and fails in doing so.
Take your choice....
Peace to u,
Bill
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bbas 64
Guest
mutzrein said:
Good Day, mutzrein
Great post!!
This belief is contray to Scripture
2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also it is with you;
2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.
Peace to u,
Bill[/u]
destiny
Member
John 6:44 "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draw him:philbo said:
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithâ€â€and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.
It has everything to do with God Philbo...Faith is a supernatural thing.
A carnal mind can't read the bible and find faith without the supernatural working of Gods spirit in the heart.
Thats why I no longer debate or try to convince an unbeliever who wants to argue, because until God does His thing, nothing I say will mean very much.
I can tell you to pray that God will reveal Himself to you, and seek to know Him.
I do know that is a key to His revealing Himself.
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philbo
Guest
That makes sense. After all, faith doesn't seem like a carnal choice. Have all of you had faith from the beginning? Or did some of you get faith later in life?destiny said:
Actually faith can grow over time, if you accept it. It has to do with
our walk with Jesus. There are a few things in the New Testament
I read a few times casually without seeing the connection to my
own life. But one day I did somehow, I only can explain it with
"I really believed it that day that it's true and valid today" not only
in general terms but also for me personally, and it became part
of life since then. It's a gift that was understood and accepted
at one point in time.
Just pray and ask for faith. Jesus will give it freely,
build and nurture it, and perhaps later also test it
in order to perfect it.
our walk with Jesus. There are a few things in the New Testament
I read a few times casually without seeing the connection to my
own life. But one day I did somehow, I only can explain it with
"I really believed it that day that it's true and valid today" not only
in general terms but also for me personally, and it became part
of life since then. It's a gift that was understood and accepted
at one point in time.
Just pray and ask for faith. Jesus will give it freely,
build and nurture it, and perhaps later also test it
in order to perfect it.
philbo said:
For me, faith came in a moment of time when I had reached a mature age. Not that I am saying that it happens at any specific age, but at a time appointed by God. I liken my birth into God's kingdom to my physical birth. The whole process had nothing to do with me. It was the result of my birth that enabled me to know my father. That knowledge that he is my father, that understanding that I am his son, that belief that he will provide for me whatever the circumstance is not something that can be grasped by reason of my intellect. It is faith. It is a gift of God.
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Benny
Guest
I believe that faith is a gift from God, you must earn it. If you truly believe in the Lord and His teachings then you will have faith.
destiny
Member
I always knew there was a 'god' but I didn't always have the biblical definition of faith...philbo said:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.â€Â
In my rebellious years I thought of God as the master player of a chess game and we were his little subjects that he played however he pleased. When something went wrong in my life I blamed God.
I always knew He was real but my perception of Him was a result of my rebellion to do things my way.
I rejected Him until something went wrong, then I acknowledged Him long enough to blame Him.
He had to get me in a desperate place of humility before I was willling to lay down the life I was living and do things His way.
Someone I knew consistently kept telling me that I would only be satisfied through God. So God used someone else to increase my faith and hope in Himself.
It wasn't until I fully resolved to live for Him and never go back to that old lifestyle that He revealed Himself to me. It has to be total surrender.
It isn't something easy to explain, it's like a light was turned on. All of a sudden you know He's more real than anything you've ever had.
Every void inside you is suddenly fulfilled, He is the satisfaction you spent your whole life trying to find.
You suddenly realize how much He loves you, and this is what puts you on your knees.
You realize the reason your life became shipwrecked wasn't because of Him, it was because you didn't have Him.
Theres no comparison.
Jesus said "I make all things new", it's so true!
It's hard to come to real life changing faith when everything is going smooth and you're having fun.
Most people have to get to a place of desperation and surrender before they can call out to God and absolutely mean it.
And thats when He's right there.
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philbo
Guest
thanks, destiny.