Thinking Biblically About Faith Again

But without faith (a firm persuasion or conviction) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

  • God is revealed in creation:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Psalm 19:1

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:  Romans 1:20

  • God’s laws are written upon man’s heart and conscience:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;  Romans 2:14 & 15

  • God is unveiled in Jesus Christ:   

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  Colossians 2:8 & 9

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  John 17:3.

  • God is revealed in a changed life:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  II Corinthians 5:17

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.  I Corinthians 6:9, 10 & 11

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.  Psalm 66:16

 

Thinking Biblically About Faith

……………the just shall live by faith.  Galatians 3:11

• What is faith? Is it a leap in the dark?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith is both substance and evidence.

According to W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based upon hearing. 

• Faith should not be placed randomly. Faith has a clear objective.

The Apostle Paul defined the gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-4. It is clear and simple.

Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I have preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also have received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

• Faith is the gangplank used to board the ship of grace (we are saved by grace through faith).  Misplaced faith can be used to board the wrong ship.

Warning against false teachers Jesus said: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Matthew 7:21-23

• Saving faith is based upon the finished work and merit of Jesus Christ alone.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8&9

• Is faith important?

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Ephesians 6:16

• How do we get faith?

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

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly!

The Iniquity of Us All

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

God is sinless, that is His nature.  Nothing sinful or defiled can enter into His presence without being destroyed.  We understand this whether we can admit it or not.

Nuclear energy is invisible to our eyes.  It is a tremendous resource for power, both constructive and destructive.  It’s nature is radioactive.  Radiation kills people.  We must handle it properly or witness it’s nature to kill that which is not properly protected.

Nuclear energy is just a power.  God is a person with whom we may have a relationship.

We are sinners, that is our nature.  Because we are sinful and God is sinless, we are alienated from Him.  

Religion is constantly looking for ways to appease God.  The act of appeasing God is like bringing an offering of flowers to lay before a breached nuclear reactor, in hope of saving oneself from radiation’s destructive power.  That is silly, but so is the idea that we can possibly do anything to make ourselves acceptable to God.

We are made in the image of God.  We are a spirit that has a body.  God wants to have a relationship with us but He cannot invite us into His presence without destroying us.  We cannot sneak into His presence without being destroyed.  We cannot protect ourselves from His sinlessness.  There is nothing that we can fabricate or invent that will make us presentable to Him.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus Christ) the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him (Jesus Christ) should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Come to Christ and live!

May Jesus Christ Be Praised!

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer,
To Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praised!  

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day
When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

In heav’n’s eternal bliss
The loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea, and sky
From depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My song of love divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song
Through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Author: Unknown
19th Century German Lyrics

Have You Been Proven?

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.  Deuteronomy 13:1-4

The Jungle Book (1994 Film)

British soldier (upon the capture of Mowgli) – Show us the treasure and we will let you live!

Mowgli – I will show you the treasure…….and we will see who lives…….


The world – Find what gives you pleasure….and begin to live!

Christian believer – You may have your pleasure……and we will see who lives…..

Overcoming the World

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4

What does this mean?

Does this mean that we should not enjoy a sunset?  Does it mean that we should isolate ourselves from those who do not share our views?  Does it mean that we should isolate ourselves to serve God?  Does it mean that we should not participate in the political process?  Does it mean that we should shun color and modern conveniences?

Review James chapter 4 and check out what the context has to say.

What are you finding?

Lust is a strong desire.

Is there anything in James 4 that is associated with the world elsewhere in Scripture?

For all that is in the world, the lust (strong desire) of the flesh, and the lust (strong desire) of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  I John 2:16

Each one of these characteristics of the world actually represents an area of legitimate human need.  In the case of the world, these legitimate needs are fulfilled outside the boundaries set by God.

The legitimate needs of man are biological needs, the need for possessions, and the need for experience.

Hunger is a legitimate biological need.  If one steals to fulfill this need the result is sin.  

The need for possession is represented by clothing, food, shelter, tools, family, etc.  If this need focuses on having what one’s neighbor possesses, it becomes covetousness.  

The need for experience is necessary for learning, personal improvement, value to business, skills and so on.  However, there are experiences that transgress God’s laws and the result is sin.  Experience may also puff us up into pride, self-importance and ungratefulness to Him from whom all things good emanate.

When Eve saw that the tree was good for food (biological need),  it was pleasant to the eyes (need for possession), and that it was desired to make one wise (need for experience), she partook of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6).  With his eyes wide open, Adam followed her into disobedience.


For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Hebrews 4:15


 Matthew 4:1 – 11

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred (biological need).

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down (the need for experience): for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee (need for possession), if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.


The Lord responded to each temptation with; It is written…

 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  James 4:7


These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  I John 4:4

Note: Friendship with the world is the practice of fulfilling legitimate human needs outside the clear commands and boundaries of Scripture.

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…….


The Law

And God spake all these words, saying I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.


 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.


 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.


Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.


Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.


Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.


Thou shalt not kill.


Thou shalt not commit adultery.


Thou shalt not steal.


Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.


Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.


And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.  

Exodus 20:1-20


Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized (Spirit baptism*) into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:19-29

* I Corinthians 12:13

Run Dan! Run!

Flee also youthful lusts:………..II Timothy 2:22

……………flee from idolatry.  I Corinthians 10:14

My family lived on a fifty’s type farm early in my childhood.  By fifty’s type farm, I mean a small farm that had a little bit of everything (livestock & crops) and a farm on which most of the family food was grown.

There were milk cows for milk; excess milk was sold locally or mixed with oats and fed to the pigs.  Calves from the milk cows were raised for meat and cash.  There were chickens for meat and eggs; excess eggs could be sold locally.  Brood sows gave us feeder pigs for cash and meat.  

Corn, oats and alfalfa gave us feed for the livestock, oat straw for bedding and corn cobs for the cob stove. We also had some pasture for the cows and on a family farm there is always a garden.

It was a time of wire tied hay bales, two row corn pickers, tractor mounted cultivators, johnny poppers (John Deere tractors) and Nash automobiles.

I was the fourth of six kids.  A younger sister and brother were to follow seven and nine years later after moving to town.  The older children were two sisters, ten and eleven  years older than I and a brother five years older named Dan.  The title of this article is named for him.

There is a story about Dan, as a youngster, which has been repeated in our family over the years.  I do not recall being a witness to this account, but it was a testament to Dan’s future athletic abilities.  

Dan was only about 5’7″ in high school, but he had great leaping ability.  One year in basketball we played against a high school from the city.  They had a very tall center (at least a foot taller) and Dan tied up with him for a jump ball.  

In those days, there was no possession arrow, so you just jumped for it.  The tall man didn’t make much of an effort and much to everyone’s surprise, Dan controlled the tip.  

I watched him in another basketball game chase down a fast break in our gym which had a stage on one end.  When Dan attempted to block the shot, he came down with one leg on the stage and the other against the cushioned backstop at the front of the stage.  He broke the conference record in the long jump his senior year.  

Dan’s athletic abilities were first displayed  in our hog yard when he was a grade schooler and this is the story as it was conveyed to me.  

Dad had a wagon load of corn setting in the hog yard from which he could shovel corn to feed the sows.  On this particular day, Dan was standing on one of the wagon tires watching Dad shovel corn to the sows.  Apparently Dan’s position was in Dad’s way so Dad told Dan to move.  

Dan jumped down from the wagon and began to walk away, turning his back to the feeding sows.  It was then that one of the sows drew a bead on Dan and went for him.  Dad saw what was happening and shouted for Dan to run and run he did.  He escaped by jumping and scrambling over the fence.  

Some accounts say he jumped the fence.  As his little brother, I have to express some skepticism.  He was good, but not that good.

Imagine for a moment what may have happened had Dan turned to look.  What if he had taken the time to ask Dad; what do you want now or why are you always yelling for me to do something?  No, he recognized the urgency in Dad’s voice and he obeyed without question and without hesitation.

There are times in the Christian life that we should stand firm. There are also times when we should run.  Spiritual maturity recognizes the difference.

The verses above say to flee from youthful lusts and idolatry.   The word lust simply means strong desires.  Idolatry means to covet or to desire something or someone in the place of, or more than we do God Himself.

We are no match for our strong desires.  If we tarry at temptation, we will fail.  Strong desires are to indwelling sin, what gasoline vapor is to an open gas can.  It is a flash fuse to destruction.  

  • Dating requires some common sense if one is to honor God. Don’t do anything just because someone else is doing it and do not spend time isolated and alone together.  Resist the culture.
  • Fidelity in marriage starts with loyalty to one another.  The only opinion of anyone of the opposite sex that should really matter is that of what your mate thinks of you.  The campaign for mate of the year should begin and end at home.
  • To test for idolatry, we simply need to measure our priorities.  Do we live for what pleases us or for what pleases God?

So, why are you sitting there?……………RUN!!!!!

Do you have questions? Get answers; Read Your Bible!