Dusty

Matthew 6:30
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?


Matthew 8:5
[ The Faith of the Centurion ] When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.


Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.


Matthew 8:26
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.


Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

__________________

Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

PreciousMessage

Good texts,

John

PreciousMessage

Thanks for your determination and sharing, till next time.

John

Nathi

May I ask? Did we found Christ? or He found us?

Is this saying appropiate? " I have found Jesus"?

__________________
To God I trust and Love be Glory and Dominion Forever

PreciousMessage

Hi Nathi,

There is no parable of the "sheep" "seeking" the Shepherd. He seeks us.

blessings in Christ,
John

Romans 3 explains this.

GordonSlocum

agree

Disagree with your comment "certainly you understand this concept from the Bible" This type comment places you as the sole person of which your view is the only view. By the way I do agree, but you should tray to address a subject and not state it in a personal "I know better than you tone".

Try expressing it this way, "I understand the Scripture to teach that God gives life, He gave me my body, He gives me the air I breath, and I see all of this as a gift." See the difference.


If you had read my comments carefully you would either ask, "Dear Brother, do you mean this or are you saying this, instead you assume and then proceede to instruct.


agree


agree

I know you understand what you are saying in these words but they are not clear enough for me to know weather I agree or see things differently. What I think you may be saying is that salvation is not just for a special pre-picked few but for all mankind. Do I have it correct or are you saying something else?



I understand your words here to be saying the same thing I am saying. "Facts", God's Grace, the Gospel, Christ death, burial and resurrection, the facts, equals the object of faith. I have stated that faith takes an object (Faith In - In What - Something - The something is the object).


Agree, the something you speak of is what I call the object of faith, John Doe Believes in or has faith in "something". Faith takes an object, in him, in this, in that etc. So I understand what you are saying as the same thing I am saying with respect to the statement I have underlined in your comment. Are my comment meaningful and do you find them to be compatible to yours?

Precisely my position. However, as stated here and there, what I see as enabling faith is the truth which I call the object. I have faith in a truth and that truth in my case is the truth of the Gospel, being the object of my faith.

So, would you agree that the Grace of God, the Gospel of salvation is the object of faith? Do you understand this statement as meaning Faith Takes an Object = Faint In Jesus?


agree

I am assuming that what you are saying is that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. Is that correct. The wording is award sounding to me.

Gordon

PreciousMessage

Hi Gordon,

"For if any think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Gal. 6:3). My deepest thoughts and motives, only the Lord knows.

Let me give you the words of one preacher, which, to my knowledge and feeble finite mind, I had never seen until this morning (Sunday):

“Think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Chapter 12:3. Thus God has put faith into the mouth and into the heart of every man.

Again: the word of God is the means, the channel, of faith; for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” And the word of God has been heard by all, in at least two ways: for “that which may be known of God is manifest in [margin, “to”] them; for God hath showed it unto them.” Rom. 1:19. Both text and margin are true; for that which may be known of God is manifest both to men and in men.

It is manifest to men in the things that are made, in the visible creation. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Verse 20. And through these things that are made, men hear the word of God, through the hearing of which comes faith. That this may clearly be seen, turn to the tenth chapter of Romans and study carefully verses 12-18. There it is said: “There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” Then come the questions: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Then comes the statement: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.” But did they not all hear the gospel?—Assuredly they did, for no one is held responsible for not obeying the gospel who has not heard the gospel. The above questions show that. So, then, they have all heard the gospel, though all have not obeyed it. and so this, too, is written: “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

Now these last words are quoted from the nineteenth psalm, where it is telling that the heavens declare the glory of God. see: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” These last words are the very ones that are quoted in Rom. 10:18, and notice that they are quoted there, not only to show that all men have heard the word of God, but to show that they have heard the very gospel itself. Therefore it is plain by the word of God that the speech that the heavens utter day by day is the word of God, and the knowledge which night unto night they show is the knowledge of God. and this is how that which may be known of God is manifest to all men, for God has thus showed it to them. And as it was by the word of the Lord that the heavens were made (Ps. 33:6), so through the heavens and all things that are made, this word of God is speaking to men, declaring the creative power and glory of God. Thus all men hear the word of God, and by the hearing of the word comes faith, so that by this means God has given faith to all." "And in order that all men may see “the invis*ible things of him,” and “him who is invisible,” “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Rom. 12: 3. Faith is ‘the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8. It is not the gift of God in the sense that the natural faculties, as reason, night, hear*ing, etc., are the gifts of God, so that it should be of ourselves. It is the gift of God in the sense that it is from above and beyond ourselves, a supernatural faculty bestowed since sin entered, and acting only at the free choice of the individual himself."

Thus in creating enmity between man and Satan, God opens to man the door of faith, that he may find Jesus Christ and in him the fulness of the salvation of the eternal God. and so it is written: John “came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. . . . That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:7, 9. Thus God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. Thus God has put faith into the mouth and into the heart of every man. And every man who will exercise the measure of faith which he has, that faith will “grow exceedingly” (2 Thess. 1:3), and will work in him the fulness of the salvation of God.
End Quote

blessings,
John

PreciousMessage

Hi Gordon,

Now I'm assuming when you're doing all of the assuming, it is what you believe, not necessarily what I believe the scripture is saying to me. Is that your own viewpoint?

I stated: "Anything short of an accomplished salvation IN CHRIST (for all mankind) makes God the responder and us the initiators of our own salvation, with Him saving us in exchange for our good works."

You stated: "I am assuming that what you are saying is that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. Is that correct. The wording is award sounding to me.

The context of the statement is that anything short of an accomplished salvation in Christ, the whole human race, means He is always the initiator, anything else would be trying to earn salvation. The fear of hell or the reward of heaven is always the wrong motive. We love Him, because He first loved us. Christ's cross being the ultimate of His love.

I "believe" the confusion between us is the "in Christ" phrase. I believe that phrase is not only experiential for the believer, but also objectively for ALL mankind. Again, ALL things consist IN Christ, all have been saved, the whole human race.

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together in the heavenly places IN Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:5,6.

Now are these verses talking of ones acceptance of Christ or an objective fact at the cross for the whole human race.

Whom were dead in trespasses? Mankind of course.

I believe Paul pulled Eph. 2:5,6 right out of the book of Hosea 6:1,2. If you notice, it is "cross language."

"Come, and let us return unto the LORD, for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. AFTER TWO DAYS will He revive [quicken] us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight" Hosea 6:1,2. Prophetic indeed.

We need understand, there is a difference between "you In Christ" and "Christ in you." One is objective and the other is subjective.

"IN Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" Eph. 1:7.

Before we do anything at all--repent, confess, or even believe, God has already done something extremely significant for mankind. He "has reconciled the world to Himself" by "not counting men's sins against them." It can be said that "ALL things are of God." Every possibility of human boasting and merit is completely blotted out of the picture.

Therefore, mankind's salvation has already been accomplished in the person of Christ Jesus."For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men." Titus 2:11. It is true that many will throw away their birth right possession, just as Essau threw away his for a bowl of food.

This is the better good news of the gospel, it is not limited to only a select few. It is Christ dying for the sins of the world that melts the heart.

John

GordonSlocum

agree



The testimony of Scripture is overwhelming that the source of faith is resident within all persons. Are you a Calvinist, RT, or Tulip believer? To state that Faith was a special gift to in able the saved to believe is a Calvinist, RT, or TULIP position?

Romans 12 talks about God giving believers a measure of faith. If one takes this to mean all of mankind have been given a measure of faith it could only be understood as a result of mankind being created in the image of God.



Matthew 6:30 “You of little faith!”
Matthew 8:10 “such great faith”
Matthew 8:26. He *said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?"
Matthew 9: 2. And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven."
Matthew 9:22. “But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.
Matthew 9:29. “Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith."
Matthew 14:21 "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Matthew 15: 28. “Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once.”
Matthew 16:"You men of little faith,”
Matthew 17:20. “And He *said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith;”
Matthew 21:“if you have faith and do not doubt”
Mark 4:40 “ And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"‘ (interesting comment)
Mark 11: 22. “And Jesus *answered saying to them, "Have faith in God.”
Luke 8:"Where is your faith?" (interesting comment)
Luke 17:"Increase our faith!"
Luke 22: “that your faith may not fail”
Acts 14: “he had faith to be made well,
Acts 16:9 “cleansing their hearts by faith.”
Acts 20: 21. “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Acts 24:24 “about faith in Christ Jesus”
Acts 26:18 “those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
Romans 3:22 righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
Romans 3: 26 the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 4: 5. “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”
Romans 4:20 he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith

PreciousMessage

Wonderful texts: There is a great difference between the "exercising" of faith and the faith that has been given to every man laid out in scripture. One scripture does not negate another scripture. They are in in perfect harmony.

To my limited knowledge, Calvinism, no matter how it is stated, is that Christ did not intend to die for "all people. In fact, some of its prominent spokesman have said Jesus didn't even love "all people." He loved and died for only a special group known as "the elect."

The idea is that God has predestined some people to be saved; and because that His "soverign will," not even they can thwart what He has purposed to do. The predestined ones go to heaven whether they want to or not, why, because, after all, they have no "free will."

They understand the Lord's Prayer to say, "Thy will must and will be done in earth as it is in heaven." If you are one of the lucky ones, you'll be saved. Too bad for the others. ... I reject "once saved always saved."

I reject Calvinism. .... also Universalism.

Arminianism, a highly respected Protestant doctrine.

This belief says that the "all men" Paul speaks of in Romans 5 are only those who believe and obey. John Wesley tells of people who were so discouraged thinking they were prestined to be lost that they gave up hope, and others, thinking they were "the elect," wanted to sin ad infinitum and still be saved.

Arminianism also believes that everybody can be saved. And Christ died in order to make a provision so that everyone could be saved, but what He accomplished was only provisional. A big "if."

Arminianim says that our receiving what Christ offers us is what makes it become a "gift." Can this be true? He has done nothing more than make us an offer, a kind intention, and we then go away with no sense of real gratitude for a gift given. This may have something to do of the lukewarmness of the church in general, no sense of real gratitude.

Arminianism may have been a brave reponse To Calvinism, but comes short of the full sunlit truth that the apostles preached. God GAVE His Son, not merely offered to do so; Christ died for us, not just offered to. He actually shed His blood "once for all" to redeem us, not merely offered to; He doesn't have to shed it again constantly in the Roman Catholic mass.

If we accept this Arminian position then we can enter heaven and say, "Thanks Jesus for Your good offer; but You didn't accomplish anything for us until we did the right thing first to make it effective. We did our part, that's why we're here." This would turn out to be salvation by faith plus by works trip.

I reject Arminianism.

The Bible does make it clear that the lost will at last fully realize that Christ gave them the gift of justification and salvation "in Him," but they threw it away.

The problem boils down to one simple question: did Christ actually pay the debt for every human sin? YES! This is not a much to do about nothing issue.

The answer gives the key to reaching the Muslim Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish mind. Ye, all those people in "Babylon" whom the Lord calls, "My People." (Rev. 18:4).

It is the love (agape) of Christ constraineth us. When He said that "One died for all," he simply reasoned that it had to mean that "all died," so that "those who live" cannot in peace of conscience go on living for themselves. 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

John