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"The Mystery of The Faith" 1Tim.3:9 P A R T 2 "THE FAITH OF THE OPERATION OF GOD" It is to God alone that we should give on hundred percent glory for His mercy, His grace, His love, His salvation, His life, His righteousness, His gifts, His will and last but not least, His faith. These all come by the operation of God---not man! Can you hear this? We have been taught there is one faith that saves us….our own. We shall proceed to declare by the word of the Lord that there is one faith that saves us…but it is not our own! Contrary to traditional teaching, there is nothing we as individuals can do to earn the gift of salvation, nor can we through our own self motivated thought, will works, or lack of them --maintain the initial free gift of faith that effectuates and accompanies human salvation. Likened to the natural, this is not the kind of gift which one has the privilege of looking for and choosing for oneself before Christmas or before ones birthday. In no way can man choose it of himself - Jn.1:3. Concerning salvation through grace and faith, few believe that "all things are OF GOD , who hath reconciled us to Himself BY JESUS CHRIST." 2Cor.5:18; 1Cor.8:6; Ro.11:36. The personal covenant that God in His time makes with each individual (Heb.8:10; 10:16), is as a result of the Father’s great gift to the whole world in the form of His beloved son - Jn.3:16. His inseparable gifts of grace, faith, righteousness etc. that accompany true human salvation, are now being made evident and manifest in the predestined election and personal call of God that is without repentance [irrevocable, never taken back] Ro.11:29; 1Cor.1:7-9. Every good gift and perfect gift [such as faith] is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variablness, neither shadow of turning." Jas.1:17. Faith is a gift, an irrevocable privilege. It is in no way a human contrivance as suppose! Ro.8:32. God grants repentance to the acknowledging [of Christ so we might then know] of the truth - Ac.11:18; 2Tim.2:25. Too long we have been taught that any choice in accepting or rejecting salvation rests with man, either partially or completely. This is just not so! For one thing, either way it would involve works on the part of man. The true revelation of salvation in grace through faith does not involve human works. It cannot, or it would be imperfect and tainted with humanity. The faith which is necessary for the workings of salvation originates and remains entirely as the work of God. His work is completed on our behalf. Our traditional teaching on the fullness of this truth [Augustine, Luther etc.] has been as much in part comparatively speaking, as were some of the teachings of the devout Jews compared to those of Jesus and Paul. Meanwhile, until the Spirit quickens and reveals, many will remain void of understanding - Jn.12:40; Ro.11:7, 8; Jer.24:7; Mat.13:ll That very first incorruptible and unremovable seed (1Ptr.1:23; 1Jn.3:9) of divine faith whereby one first come to believe in Christ as his only personal saviour, was given by "His grace in His kindness toward us" (Eph.2:7; Ro.2:4) "according to the election of grace" Ro.11:5; 9:11; 1Ptr.1:2. In His choice and election and not in any way ours, there in were ordained of God "the rank" or order (1Cor.15:23) of "such that should be saved" (Ac.2:47) for we find that "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Ac.13:48; 2Ths.2:13,14; Ro.8:28,29; 9:23. They in no way initially chose of themselves to be saved. God chose them - Jn.15:16; Psa.65:4; Isa.49:7 etc. They were born [from above-of a higher authority] not of blood (Jn.3:3,6), "nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man [the will power of choice of man’s own natural mind], but OF GOD" (Jn.1:13; Matt.16:17), for all God’s children are born and saved "according to His own purpose" 1Tim.1:9) and according to the "good pleasure of His own will." Eph.1:4,5,11; 2:10), not ours. "Of His own will begat He us" (Jas.1:18), the children which God hath given Christ (Heb.2:13; Isa.8:18), drawn to Christ by the Father (Jn.6:37,44,45) that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father gives Him - Jn.17:2,6. "Even so, the Son quickeneth [vivifies] whom He [and of course the Father] will."Jn.5:21. Jesus said, No man cometh unto the Father, but BY ME (Jn.14:6), solely according to the Father’s will and timing and not ours lest we should boast - 1cor.15:23; Isa.38:20; Gen.6:8. You say, "but we have to first have faith to be able to believe and confess our salvation do we not? Ro.10:9, 10. Yes we do but……….. The power of faith is a divine ability gratuitously given us by our merciful God who activates as well as motivates our belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This godly faith does not originate in/from the will of the human psyche. Only the Almighty Himself can call (Ro.9:24-26; Ac.2:39; 1Cor.1:9) man to salvation - 1Cor.1:2; Ro.1:6,7. Only the Lord can create within man’s spiritually dead heart a will to hunger and seek after Him (Ac.15:17) personally and stir in him"a heart to know Him" (Jer.24:7; Ac.16:14) in a new and living way. Only He creates the will in man to perform the necessary acts of confession unto salvation (Phil.2:13; Ac.9:1-9) and the holy scriptures being quickened, then are "able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2Tim.3:15; 1Ths.2:13. That dear ones, does not speak primarily of your faith in Christ, rather it is a revelation of His faith which He releases in us. Let’s examine this concept closer. When you discover the real truth about your salvation you will have nothing to boast about in what you did but only what He does! Nor will you have any reason to condemn others to hell nor worry about why or what they don’t do. This doesn’t do away with the necessity of preaching the evangel but it does do away with overzealous preaching of it that can sometimesbe detrimental and turn people away. By the sovereign working of God’s gift of faith as a part of His gift of righteousness (Ro.5:17), we are enable to begin working out our gracious gift of salvation - Phil.2:12. The basic characteristic of saving faith is righteousness. No unregenerate mortal man has in himself this righteousness, "no not one." Ro.3:10. Neither then could he have in himself its necessary accompanying faith! This righteous faith which is found only in the natureof Christ Jesus, is freely imparted to us and is not of ourselves. There is no self faith norself righteous faith involved. It is actually the active manifested working of "HIS FAITH"(Habk.2:4) which is "the FAITH OF THE OPERATION OF GOD." Col.2:12. Its operation is the work of God, not man! Oh glory! It is this unsolicited perfect and righteous faith only, that now counts for our salvation and our righteousness - Ro.4:5. By grace alone, we are "as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful." 1Cor.7:25. Grace, mercy and faith always walk hand in hand together. Can you hear this? This may not quite be orthodox theology but it is the plain and simple truth of the scriptures. We "obtain mercy" through the grace of God which is "exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1Tim.1:13,14. All our own natural love and faith could ever be compared to that which is in and comes from Christ….is untrustworthy, unholy and unrighteous. Such plain scriptural teaching this is, yet man in his pride continues to believe it is His own faith which initially activates God’s wonderful grace and works - Isa.26:12. We will continue to show belief such as this is Old Testament truth found under the Old Testament dispensation of human faith plus works …which should have decayed and vanished away - Heb.9:13. "Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested" (Ro.3:21) by "the law of Christ" (Gal.6:2) and there has been of necessity a change (Heb.7:12) in works concerning "the LAW OF FAITH" (Ro.3:27) "by the which we [now] draw nigh unto God." Heb.7:19. It is still commonly taught or at least implied for lack of fuller revelation, that faith for initial salvation comes through, or is generated by, our own unaided choice and decision of thought in believing on Christ. At the surface level of the natural mind this may appear as truth, but concerning faith for salvation, the scripture reveals the unregenerate alienated mind devoid of Christ (Eph.2:2) even "the carnal mind [what it thinks, determines, believes and has faith for] is enmity against God." Ro.8:7; 1Cor.2:11-14. Hence, "All men have not faith" (2ths.3:2) at least not the kind necessary to initiate and walk in redemption. None have! They are hopelessly lost if left to themselves. This so called faith of the unbelieving and unregenerate man is all in vain (1Cor.15:14,17) apart from the predestined elective operation of our faithful God, because the mind of the "natural man receiveth not the things of God" (1Cor.2:14), unless, and until the Lord Himself chooses to quicken it - Ro.11:8; Jn.3:8; 14:9; Matt.16:16,17; Isa.29:10. We are seeing in the scriptures where it really is not any of our own thoughts, belief, or trust which we tend to call faith, which can bring us to , put us in, and keep us there in the peace, grace, and unearned favour of Christ’s salvation. Rather, "THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM whom He hath sent."Jn.6:29, 45. For unto us "IT IS GIVEN IN THE BEHALF OF CHRIST…TO BELIEVE ON HIM." Phil.1:29; 1Cor.12:3; Matt.19:11. In other words, this grace of God to believe must be freely and actively "given you by Jesus Christ" (1Cor.1:4), and when "in due time" it is, it becomes known as HIS "work of faith with power." 2Ths.1:11; 2Cor.9:8; Eph.1:19. Any true faith that has been worked into you and is working in you is not primarily yours…it’s His! To Him belongs all glory and honor and power! It cannot be emphasized enough that the gift of salvation by faith is wholly a gift from God -1Cor.13:17. It cannot primarily be initiated nor solicited of man. The "holy Spirit of grace" (Heb.10:29) must personally call one and draw him, providing the necessary power of the righteous, justifying faith of God and Christ, according to the predestined time in God’s will and not man’s - Ro.8:29; 11:30. "For by (HIS -Eph.3:17) grace are ye saved [initially and progressively - 1Ptr.1:7-13] THROUGH FAITH [again: HIS -Eph.3:12..not yours], and that [grace and faith is] not of yourselves [in any way]. It [grace…. through/by HIS FAITH, not yours] is the gift of God (2Cor.9:15; Ro.5:15): not of works [anything man can believe, say or do of himself, including keeping any laws or doing good works] lest any man should boast." Eph.2:8,9. This is the New Testament "law of faith." Ro.3:27. If this new gift of righteous faith be "by grace, [and it is], then is it no more of [man’s] works. Ro.11:15. The faith and works are simply not of man. According to the same principles, we find "therefore it is OF [Christ’s] FAITH [and not ours] that it might be [entirely] by grace." Ro.4:16. The New Testament promise (Gal.chapter 3) of the gift of "THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST" is now being made evident and revealed in them that are believing - Ro.3:22; 2Cor.4:13. Christ becomes a propitiation [soothing appeasement of mercy] to conciliate all men with justification, through on-going application, imputation and impartation of the divine righteousness of His faith. A faith which now flows freely as the life of His blood "to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past." Ro.3:23-25; 2Cor.5:21; 1Jn.2:2. Righteous justifying faith is a divine revelation of/from God that illuminates man’s understanding of his divine redemption. Just as we do not and cannot gain faith for salvation by our own works (Tit.3:5; 2Tim. 1:9), nor even by our own thought nor will power (Jn.1:13; 6:44; Ro.9:16), so also we do not keep salvation by our own works, nor can we lose His initial working of His gift of faith in us for lack of our own works---for under grace, a man is no longer justified by any dead letter works of the word or the law - Gal.2:16. Rather, he is now justified [made upright, accepted - Eph.1:6] freely in His grace [by the works of His faith - "by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST" (Gal.2:16) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus - Ro.3:24. Paul said, "Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST and not by works of the law." Gal.2:16. We receive justification from the faith which is in Christ Jesus (1Tim.1:13,14; 3:13) as well as through "THE FAITH WHICH IS BY HIM" (Ac.3:16), who Himself sovereignly chooses as our "faithful Creator" (1Ptr.4:19) to dwell in and operate His righteous faith in and through us. Christ Himself called it " MY FAITH." Rev.2:13. Only His faith can manifest His works - Jn.3:21; Phil.2:12,13. Ours cannot though many think it can! Only in and by His holy righteous faith do we have access into this grace wherein we stand - Ro.5:2. Far to long have we Christians’ falsely lifted up man’s own faith as being the basis of our personal salvation. This doctrine that prevails in the land today has been built by man on a foundation that is other than that of Jesus Christ - 1Cor.3:10-11. Our human faith does not "begin a good work in us." Phil.1:6. Nor does it finish it. His faith does! He alone is the author of it- Heb.12:2. There is really only "one Lord, ONE FAITH" (Eph.4:5) called "The common faith" (Tit.1:4) which is none other than ‘THE FAITH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Lord of glory." Jas.2:1. Yes, this faith is wholly from Him! The righteous workings of His faith flows as the righteous spiritual life of His blood (Ro.3:25) and "without shedding of blood is no remission", no faith for forgiveness, for righteousness, for release from sin - Heb.9:22. Man in his pride, loves to believe it is his own faith, that there is something he has or can do to help himself or to even help God…as if God wasn’t able. As the basis for salvation, faith is not any though or belief which one can think up or work up through the unregenerate mind, which mind is void of true righteousness. "The things of God [concerning salvation] knoweth no man but by the Spirit of God." 1Cor.2:11. "For which of you by taking [your own] thought can add one cubit unto his [own spiritual] stature?" Only God’s ways and thoughts which are much higher and more powerful than our own thoughts (Isa.55:8,9) can affect our spiritual status and stature - Eph..4:13. It must be God’s holy and righteous faith which produces His works through us (Jas.2:14-26), planted as a seed in the carnal mind and in the heart (Ro.10:10) whereby it becomes our "most holy faith." Jude 10. The carnal mind only wants to acknowledge it as "our faith" when it rightfully and respectfully should be emphasized as "His faith." In like manner you as a Christian actually have "His" salvation. It really is not in the fullness of truth to call it "your" salvation. Again, your body is His temple, why do you call it your own? "What, know ye not that…ye are not your own?" 1Cor.6:19. Everything you have is His…His faith…His salvation…His temple. He only accepts worship in His temple, in the likeness of His Spirit and in His truth, not in your own. Now is the hour for the church to see this - Jn.4:23, 24. Know ye not also that we cannot of ourselves work up God’s faith for it is only the Lord who freely deals to every man whom He chooses, the measure and proportion of the gift of grace (Eph.4:7) and faith - Ro.12:3,6. Our faith without true godly workings of His faith is dead - Jas.2:26. It is spiritually lifeless and therefore unfruitful and unprofitable. Only godly faith works true obedience and this obedience produces death to self in a genuine submission of your will to His. Truly, man can receive nothing [of lasting spiritual value] except it be given him from heaven - Jn.3:27. Even that which becomes our faith [in full reality of truth, is the righteous faith of Christ, who by His faith overcame the world - Jn.16:33] and is born OF GOD—is given unto us in proportions large enough to overcome also - 1Jn.5:4. Now in New Testament times, our saving faith is really imputed faith (Ro.4:24), of and from Christ…now written in the mind and heart (Heb.8:10) in the form of an activated imputed "righteousness without [any human] works." Ro.4:5,8. This righteousness is entirely a gift - Ro.5:17. "Your work of faith" (1Ths.1:3) dear ones, is all "of Him." The operation of faith was different in Abraham’s day and even in Christ’s time before His ascension, when natural belief with obedient works and sacrifices according to law "counted for righteousness." Ro.4:1-4; Jas.2:22. Imperfect human works and imperfect human faith along with numerous substitutionary blood sacrifices by the priesthood-- earned Israel favour and forgiveness with God. Now in this new dispensation, under the auspices of grace, only perfect obedience in perfect human works and in perfect faith---executed by our most High Priest who gave Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice once and for all mankind—earned all men the favour of saving grace from God. The fact now is, "the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST might be given to them that believe." Gal.3:22. It doesn’t say by us having faith in Jesus Christ..it says by the faith of or from Jesus Christ! The perfect faith that the Father had in the shed blood of His Son, was imputed as a propitiatory shelter for the sins of the Old Testament saints in a display of His sovereign righteousness and mercy - Ro.3:23 [Concord. Lit]. Now, unlike the dispensation under the law, we ourselves can obtain faith and acceptable righteousness only through "that righteousness which is THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness which is OF GOD BY [remember..His, not our] FAITH" (Phil.3:9; Ro.10:6), "even THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD which is BY [comes by the] FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST UNTO all and UPON all them [that are given the power of grace through His faith to] believe." Ro.3:22. However, under the old covenant, "before [this kind of] faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto THE FAITH WHICH SHOULD AFTERWARD BE EVEALED.Wherefore the law was our [natural earthly] schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by [a different kind of faith, even Christ’s] faith. But [now] after THAT FAITH [even "the promise of the Spirit through faith" Gal.3:14] IS COME we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Gal.3:23-25. Sadly, many brethren are still under that old carnal mind and its dependence on natural faith and law. Know ye not that ye are no longer under the old law and its workings concerning faith. Rather, we are under the much more highly magnified (Isa.43:21) working of a higher spiritual law namely that of new covenant grace - Ro.6:14,15. Now we become "the children of God by [the] faith in Christ Jesus" Gal.3:26 but only when His faith is imputed unto our knowledge by the Spirit. The faith that is dwelling in Christ becomes ours so to speak whe He chooses to reveal Himself in and to us. As we have previously stated, we do not really choose Him. In His appointed time He chooses us - jn.15:16; Eph.1:4; Ac.9:3-6 etc. The apostle Paul was a pattern of them that would afterward believe in Christ - 1Tim.1:12-16. Only "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His son." 1Cor.1:9. In accordance with His calling and will for us, the Lord give us of "the same spirit of faith" which originates from Him - 2Cor.4:13. All the brethren "have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God our saviour Jesus Christ." 2Ptr.1:1. This saving faith and grace is multiplied "from faith to faith" (Ro.1:17) through our increased knowledge of God (1Jn. 5:20; Eph.1:17,16; Prv.11:9) and of our Lord (2Ptr.1:1,2) and His ways, for He has given to us according to His will, all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him [our God of all grace -1Ptr.5:10)] that hath call us to glory and virtue - 2Ptr.1:3. Of the "all things" which He gives us, righteous faith is the most important to give us knowledge and belief in our personal salvation. We can receive the Spirit of Christ and the beginning of our salvation (Ro.8:9) only "by the hearing of faith" (Gal.3:2), and we cannot possibly hear nor believe for salvation except the Holy Spirit first quickens our spiritually dead spirit (Eph.2:1) and opens our deaf ears to be able to hear and to believe - Eph.1:13. So then, [we should now understand how] faith cometh by hearing [receiving divine knowledge and faith by grace alone] and hearing [a sovereignly quickened understanding of salvation whereby we accept and believe, comes] by the [divinely quickened and inspired Rhema] word of God." Ro.10:17. The holy scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN [has its source and comes from] CHRIST JESUS" 2Tim.3:15. This faith to receive and believe is given only by inspiration of God - 2Tim.3:15,16. Any belief apart from the faith of Christ is not redeeming faith! It must come from divine faith within the heart [spirit] because head knowledge of the mind or soul is natural faith and has no power in it to effect one’s salvation. This is reflected in many who say they have accepted the Lord but then have no heart desire at all to do His will. Know that ye are the children of God BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS (Gal.3:26) but that He alone is the SOURCE, the ORIGIN, the SOVEREIGN CAUSE, the original giver and the "AUTHOR OF our FAITH (Heb.,12:2), Himself first being a "faithful Creator" (1Ptr.4:19) and "a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God." Heb.2:17; 10:23. Christ "was faithful to Him [the Father] that appointed Him." (Heb.3:2); appointed even unto crucifixion (Ac.2:32,24) that we might by His perfect faith and works of obedience draw night unto God. Only His applied substitutionary faith can become our "faith towards God." Heb.6:1. His faith becomes also known on a lower plane as our faith the moment our spiritual eyes are give to be opened and our ears unstopped (Ro.11:7,8), and God ordains it (2Tim.1:9) to believe in our hearts [not our carnal minds - Matt.13:19] and confess with our mouth, the Lord Jesus - Ro.10:9,10. "No man can say that Jesus is the [their] Lord but by the holy Ghost." 1Cor.12:3. Only when God says, "Let there be light" can the sovereign light of the holy Spirit penetrate the darkness of the void in man’s lost soul - Gen.1:2,3; 2Cor.4:6. In other words, the Lord ‘enables" us to be faithful - 1Tim.1:12. He, at our appointed moment (Jn.3:8), grants us "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph.1:17), enlightening our eyes to the gospel and enabling us to receive, understand and act upon our personal call to salvation -Eph.1:18; Psa.80:18,19. This is all a result of His work and His faith, not ours which comprises "the power of God unto salvation"Ro.1:16. "We have believed in Christ that we might be justified by THE FAITH OF CHRIST [who keeps us by His power -1Pter.1:5], for by the works of the law [even the law of sin and death] shall no flesh be justified." Gal.2:16. "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith [only of Christ] without [apart from] the deeds of the law" (Ro.3:28), indeed apart from any work of our flesh [body, mind or soul]. Know that Christ is become of no [furthering] effect [in growth and progressive deliverance] unto you, whosoever of you are justified by [trusting in any works] of the law; ye are fallen from grace [& its effect—in your understanding] (Gal.5:4); for of course "if it be of works, then is it no more [counted in] grace" (Ro.11:16) and "thy circumcision [faith] is made uncircumcision." Ro.2:25. Thus have you frustrated the grace of God (Gal.3:21) for "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Ro.14:23. We find that our own self righteousness is under the law of sin and death and is as "filthy rags" (Isa.64:6), bound under sin; but that which comes through the "faith of Christ" is that selfless righteousness which is entirely of God - 2Ptr.1:1; Phil.3:9. We through the spirit wait for the hope of this righteousness by that faith of Christ which dwells in us, for only in Him dwells faith which worketh by love (Gal.5:6,6) because there is no unrighteousness in Him - Psa.92:15. Only the sovereignly divine workings of His faith "according to His will" (2Jn.5:14,15) and also according to His timing can save us or truly heal us. It is only the holy Spirit that brings the gift of healing, miracles and even "faith by the same spirit" (1Cor.12:9) when he will or "as He will." 1Cor.12:11; Lk.22:42. Now that we are no longer under the old law—our own human faith is no longer acceptable. It becomes the acceptable faith of God’s Spirit that works in you "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil.2:13. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities…because He maketh intercession for us according to the will of God." Ro.8:26, 27; Lk.4:18-27. And just as it is God’s will to impart faith to mankind for their spiritual healing, so it is His will to impart physical healing to mankind. It is just a matter of His own will in the timing of it! Paul reveals that the life he lived in the flesh he lived not according to his own grace (1Cor.15:10), righteousness, nor faith, but BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD who loved him and gave Himself for him – as a sin offering for him - Gal.3:20. Jesus Himself proclaimed, "that they may receive forgiveness of sin and inheritance among them which are sanctified BY FAITH THAT IS IN ME (Ac.26:18) and no longer the faith that originates in us. He was speaking of the faith which only He imparts to us, "for the just shall live BY HIS FAITH" (Habk.2:4), a gracious and merciful faith which initially and progressively merges our will into being one in unison with His will, and that brethren, is not of yourselves. It is clearly all the working of the Lord’s will (Jn.5:21; Lk.10:22; Ro.9:15, 16) that we might have the ‘FAITH OF GOD." [lit. Grk.] Mk.11:22. "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him (Ro.6:6,7; 2Cor.4:11; Col.3:3) we shall also live with Him" (Lk.9:24) even in the better resurrection - Heb.11:35. If we suffer (1Ptr.4:1,2), we shall also reign [on earth as kings and priests in the resurrection of the firsfruits - Rev.5:10] with Him: If we deny Him especially in unbelief and works (Tit. 1:15,16) He also will deny us [any of the rewards that are of works through righteous faith - 1Cor.3:14,15—leading to the full reward (2Jn.8) of obtaining the fullness of salvation which is our obtainable inheritance in Christ - 2Tim.2:10; Eph.4:13; 3:19. If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful [to the basic promises of His covenant - Ro.chapter 11; Psa.37:24; Lam.3:31; Jn.6:37-39 etc. He cannot deny Himself - 2Tim.2:11-13. The Lord is faithful, who shall establish [by and in His faith] and keep you from the evil one - 2Ths.3:3. Shall our unbelief [lack of perfect faith] make THE FAITH OF GOD of none effect? Ro.3:3. Impossible! Worthy and "great is thy faithfulness" (Lam.3:23), O Lord God Almighty. The faith of Christ continues operating in us as we continue working out our salvation in the proportion of faith we have been given.. Doubt, if dwelt upon long enough can quench the belief and workings of Christ’s faith in one’s heart, even causing that one to outwardly depart from serving God (Heb.3:12), "to cast off their first faith" (1Tim.5:12; 6:10), but nevertheless, the Lord remains faithful having promised he would never leave thee nor forsake thee - Heb.13:5. "Wherefore,..harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness" (Heb.3:8) lest ye enter not in [to all that God has for us] because of unbelief - Heb.3:19. Once called, you can choose to be of "that some" who "must enter therein" (Heb.4:6) to receive the "prize of the high calling." Phil.3:14. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward - Heb.10:35. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; [for he is faithful that promised] Heb.10:23. Keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 21), not in the love of the world, by looking to yourselves that ye lose not those things which ye have wrought [worked and laboured in the Spirit of His love and faith toward], but that ye receive a full reward -2Jn.8. Most will be content with the beginnings of the "gift’ of salvation but there are some such as Paul who press on in spiritual things toward the "full reward" or "prize of the high calling." "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and THE FAITH OF JESUS" Rev.14:12. They are "holding THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH in a pure conscience." 1Tim.3:9. "For they that used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree of great boldness in THE FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS." 1Tim.3:13. "I say, through the grace given unto me…. God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Ro.12:3. "It was needful for me to write you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS." Jude 3. "Beloved, may the communication of THY FAITH WHICH IS FREELY GIVEN UNTO THEE become more effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." Philemon 6. "Examine yourselves whether ye be IN THE FAITH."2 Cor.13:5. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [Concordant literal] "Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets], yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and are wanting to the Glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus whom God purposed for a propitiatory shelter, through faith in His blood, for a display of His righteousness because of passing over of the penalties Of sins which occurred before in the forbearance of God]…a justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus." Ro.3:21+ "The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." (1Tim.4:1) and "..some..have erred concerning the faith.." (1Tim.6:21) for they were not "sound in the faith." Tit.1:13. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving." Co.2:6,7. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * K. Ross McKay |
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