You shouldn’t just accept anything that I or anybody else has to say about what the Bible teaches unless you also find it to be true.

My goodness mister, to do that I would have to read and study the Bible every day! Yes sir, and that is what the Bereans did. The Bereans searched the Scripture (the Old Testament) daily to see if these things (about Jesus) were true.

I like the definition of faith found in W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. It says that; faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing the Word.

Do you have any firm persuasions or convictions based on what you’ve learned from Scripture, or do you just accept whatever you hear?

When your religious leaders teach, do you compare what they say to Scripture? You should. I had a pastor years ago who would exhort his congregation not to park their brains at the door.

One of my mentors often says; “I would never talk (argue/debate) you into becoming a Christian, because if I can talk you into becoming a Christian, someone else can talk you out of it.“

Do you have any persuasions or convictions based on Scripture? Here is the first thing that should be a persuasion or conviction from Scripture:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved*.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

*To be saved is to be delivered from the penalty of sin which is death. Death is separation. Physical death is separation from the body. Spiritual death is separation from God. For the saved, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

...let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Don’t take my word for it…..see and hear for yourself.

The “What if’s” aren’t real.

Our ability to live and walk by faith is directly related to what is real to us. What is the most real to you and I? God’s presence or our own?

W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines faith as a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing the Word.

Are you and I living by faith? The just shall live by faith.

…faith is the substance of things hoped* for, the evidence of things not seen…

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5&6

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

*hoped – confidently assured of

Do you have any firm persuasions or convictions based on Scripture?

You know most people regard Christianity as a religion. Religion is about ceremony and works. The Scripture sets forth Christianity as a relationship with God the Father through His Son, Jesus the Christ or Messiah Jesus.

From the relationship point of view, do you honestly think that someone whose life practices consistently violate God’s Law and whose tongue consistently profanes Jesus’ name can consider themselves to be in good standing with God the Father?

Sure, you are religious. You love ceremony and and can check the boxes on what your religion requires, but do you really have a personal relationship with God the Father through His Son?

Perhaps you should give this some thought.

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 (cleansed) but ye are sanctified (set apart), but ye are justified (declared righteous) in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:9-11

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

But as many as received him (Jesus the Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

God is like the sun. One cannot look directly at Him, but without Him, one cannot see at all.

Author unknown.

Are you a Christian? If so, how did you become a Christian? Did you become a Christian according to tradition or according to Scripture?

Do you have a Bible? Do you read it? If not, why not?

It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed).

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

…the word of God is living…

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

…thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee…

…the word of God liveth and abideth forever…

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Being born again (from above), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever,…

Dead people don’t read….

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 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.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Do you believe this? Does your faith practice reflect your belief?

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

To whom are you praying?

For there is one God and one mediator* between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, I Timothy 2:5

Do you believe this? Does your faith practice reflect your belief?

*Mediator – a go-between

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first (Old Covenant), that he may establish the second (New Covenant). By the which will we are sanctified* through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified*.

Hebrews 10:9-14

Do you believe this? Does your faith practice reflect your belief?

*Sanctified – Set apart.

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

For by grace are you 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

If we are not saved by works, why assign works of penance to achieve absolution?