What faith is and what it is not.

It just show
Hello Gerald,

Thank you for answering my question (above) in reply#16: saying that you believe that every child of God, born from on high, is a member of, 'The Bride'.
I respect your desire not to continue talking about this subject in this thread. Perhaps it will be possible to talk about it in a thread begun for that purpose (I don't believe it to be one of the subjects advised against by the administrators, I will check up on that)

Another time then.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Complete

It just shows how careless we can be in reading words. I reread your post and I see that you said that "I believe that every child of God born from on high is a member of the Bride "
If we are careless with anothers words when we read them how much the more do we need to be careful how we read scripture?
I did not say that every true born child of God IS a member of the Bride .I said that each and every one is CALLED to that "high calling" That is not the same thing.
I have explained what I believe the scriptures say about in in that other posting . In part any way.

In Christ
gerald
 
I wanted to add this one thing,
Faith is our servant and yet many folks ignore or fail to use their faith in the manner it is set forth to operate or function in.
God Bless
Jim
 
I wanted to add this one thing,
Faith is our servant and yet many folks ignore or fail to use their faith in the manner it is set forth to operate or function in.
God Bless
Jim

A servant? can you elucidate more?
A gift that people that are always seeking to get that they do not realise they already have . For God has given to every man a measure of faith ........ and they use that measure every day of their lives.
Faith always works in the same way whether it be in God or anything else. in THAT regard then as to what faith IS then faith in God comes by hearing and by that understanding the word of God .
It is not then a matter of getting faith but understanding the Word of God as it can ,should or might be applied .
"The scriptures do not say get faith . It says "get understanding"!

In that I think then I agree with you.

in Christ
gerald
 
A servant? can you elucidate more?
A gift that people that are always seeking to get that they do not realise they already have . For God has given to every man a measure of faith ........ and they use that measure every day of their lives.
Faith always works in the same way whether it be in God or anything else. in THAT regard then as to what faith IS then faith in God comes by hearing and by that understanding the word of God .
It is not then a matter of getting faith but understanding the Word of God as it can ,should or might be applied .
"The scriptures do not say get faith . It says "get understanding"!

In that I think then I agree with you.

in Christ
gerald

Gerald Blessings,
it's late here and I need to shut down for now but wanted to at least say this.
Yes faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. This is how we build our faith strong. Then what ? I mean what do we do with this faith ?

Simply Put - we put it to work doing what God expects us to do with our Faith through His written word. It does NOTHING without being released or commanded or directed.
I am not talking about every day faith such as faith or trust that this chair will hold me when i sit in it or the light switch will turn on my lights. I am talking about God faith.

Blessings
jim
 
Gerald Blessings,
it's late here and I need to shut down for now but wanted to at least say this.
Yes faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. This is how we build our faith strong. Then what ? I mean what do we do with this faith ?

Simply Put - we put it to work doing what God expects us to do with our Faith through His written word. It does NOTHING without being released or commanded or directed.
I am not talking about every day faith such as faith or trust that this chair will hold me when i sit in it or the light switch will turn on my lights. I am talking about God faith.

Blessings
jim
Thanks for reply so late .
As to what faith IS . Its the same faith .
A wooden chair holds the promise that it will take your weight when you sit on it .
But all men put their hand on the chair first and put a little weight on it to see if it is stable .
Then they sit on it .
When they pick up the phone they put first check to see if it is working .
The promise of a bus company is believed then you stand in faith believing in the promise for a bus you cannot yet see,
I agree faith needs to be put into action.
But as soon as you understand what God is saying the faith is already there .
What the \bible calls" the faith of God" is another matter as is also "the gift of faiith" as. one of the spiritual gifts.
those two are of a faith over and above a persons own "measure of faith" which i would agree with you is supposed to grow .

in Christ
gerald
 
geralduk said:
Do I believe that not only is the Lord preparing a Bride? Yes I do.
I also believe that the Bride herself is to "get herself ready" also.
I also believe that every true born child of God is called to that "high calling"

It just show
It just shows how careless we can be in reading words. I reread your post and I see that you said that "I believe that every child of God born from on high is a member of the Bride "
If we are careless with anothers words when we read them how much the more do we need to be careful how we read scripture?
I did not say that every true born child of God IS a member of the Bride .I said that each and every one is CALLED to that "high calling" That is not the same thing.
I have explained what I believe the scriptures say about in in that other posting . In part any way.

In Christ
gerald

With respect to you, @geralduk, care should be taken in the way we express ourselves too, to avoid any possible misunderstanding: however, if the words, highlighted above, express your understanding concerning this subject, then I respectfully disagree with you.

In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
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Thanks for reply so late .
As to what faith IS . Its the same faith .
A wooden chair holds the promise that it will take your weight when you sit on it .
But all men put their hand on the chair first and put a little weight on it to see if it is stable .
Then they sit on it .
When they pick up the phone they put first check to see if it is working .
The promise of a bus company is believed then you stand in faith believing in the promise for a bus you cannot yet see,
I agree faith needs to be put into action.
But as soon as you understand what God is saying the faith is already there .
What the \bible calls" the faith of God" is another matter as is also "the gift of faiith" as. one of the spiritual gifts.
those two are of a faith over and above a persons own "measure of faith" which i would agree with you is supposed to grow .

in Christ
gerald

There is simple faith or trust and then there is God given Faith.
Faith is not just simply belieivng in God or Jesus was risen.

Gerald you said.........
But as soon as you understand what God is saying the faith is already there .

That is not 100 percent correct. The devil our enemy comes immediately to steal - kill and destroy for the word sake. This means he comes to remove or hinder or polute the word you just received or understood. Nothing has grown yet. It has not taken root yet.

If all we had to do is understand something God said and faith is automatically there then we would all be spiritual giants ware faith is concerned.

You are dividing faith like it is many different types of faith. It is ONE faith but different levels of growth or development.
Blessings
jim
 
Everyone has been given the measure of faith, according to:

Romans 12:3
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

Yet there is the gift of faith, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:9, which not everyone has, but everyone can receive it at least once in one's lifetime, which is a distinct measure of faith to believe in a certain thing which shall come to pass, and who declares it to the Body and thereby increases the faith of others toward that God-promised thing.
 
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My favorite passage about faith is James 2:14-26.

It taught me that faith isn't really faith until you believe it strongly enough to do something about it.
 
The devil our enemy comes immediately to steal - kill and destroy for the word sake. This means he comes to remove or hinder or polute the word you just received or understood. Nothing has grown yet. It has not taken root yet.
This part of your comment immediately brought the parable of the sower to my mind.
Matthew 13:
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Faith seems to play into this parable as being the fertilizer for the good ground, weed killer for the thorns, a stone rake for the stony ground, and a plow for the hard ground.
 
I always find this scripture interesting when discussing faith.
Luke 17:
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

--Even when Jesus says to forgive over and over your brother, not neighbor but brother, the disciples feel they need more faith to be able to do that. Notice Jesus insinuates that they have less faith than a mustard seed. What He says next, I think, gives some insight on faith.
When we do our duty we are increasing our faith, in that our faith is connected to God's faith in us. The more we do what we are given to do, God puts more faith in us. Meaning, God trusts us more to do His will, AND we are receiving more faith from God.
Have you ever had someone put faith or trust in you, whether a boss, teacher, friend, coach or parent? Doesn't this faith in you also build up belief in yourself that you can accomplish your task and even more?
And likewise, if someone loses faith in you, doesn't it affect you in a negative way?

So, if God puts faith in you then you have faith. Almost as if He lends you some and sees what comes of it before giving more. Just like the talents given to the servants. To those who have shown faith and produced fruits by it, more will be given.
 
As I was delving into Luke 17, I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 18: 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
What a question.
Reading further into chapter 18, I noticed a theme on faith.
Starting in verse 1>>that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Not lose heart...have faith.
Then continuing with the parable of the persistent widow, did the widow have faith that she could convince the judge to do something? Or did the judge have the faith that this widow would continue to pester him?
Then Jesus encourages them to have faith that God will be there to listen.

On to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus "spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others". Those who wrongly have faith in themselves. Faith will come to those who humble themselves.

Then, Jesus teaches the disciples to let the children come to Him and that "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it". Having faith as a little child.

On to the rich young ruler who had his faith in his wealth. How something as fleeting as riches can destroy or push faith in God out of your life.
Then the disciples faithlessly wonder "Who can be saved?" Jesus says, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God". God makes it possible thru the intangible faith.

To finish the chapter, the persistence of the blind man shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” over the warnings of the others nearby.
Jesus responds, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Faith will cure your spiritual blindness. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Lord, thank you for faith.
 
This part of your comment immediately brought the parable of the sower to my mind.
Matthew 13:
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Faith seems to play into this parable as being the fertilizer for the good ground, weed killer for the thorns, a stone rake for the stony ground, and a plow for the hard ground.

Amen and you must keep it watered and as Luke said moist and we do this by speaking His word and not words of that speak of the situation or circumstances but what Gods word says.
God Bless
Jim
 
I always find this scripture interesting when discussing faith.
Luke 17:
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

--Even when Jesus says to forgive over and over your brother, not neighbor but brother, the disciples feel they need more faith to be able to do that. Notice Jesus insinuates that they have less faith than a mustard seed. What He says next, I think, gives some insight on faith.
When we do our duty we are increasing our faith, in that our faith is connected to God's faith in us. The more we do what we are given to do, God puts more faith in us. Meaning, God trusts us more to do His will, AND we are receiving more faith from God.
Have you ever had someone put faith or trust in you, whether a boss, teacher, friend, coach or parent? Doesn't this faith in you also build up belief in yourself that you can accomplish your task and even more?
And likewise, if someone loses faith in you, doesn't it affect you in a negative way?

So, if God puts faith in you then you have faith. Almost as if He lends you some and sees what comes of it before giving more. Just like the talents given to the servants. To those who have shown faith and produced fruits by it, more will be given.

Two things I want to speak on
One being we are all given a measure of faith and it is UP to us to do something with it. It is our duty ONLY to build up this faith. Jesus does not give us faith if we did something good with the faith we had.

Scripture tells us Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. We are told over and over to keep His word before our eyes and this simply means we must read it daily and chew on it. Let me ask you this........will the vision or memory of last weeks meal stengthen your body today ? No you must eat again. It is the same with His word and Faith. We must feed our faith daily.

God has been dealing with me in this every place I turn. We can not survive on yesterdays revelation BUT we MUST eat of His word daily.

The second thing is.......You said God only told us to forgive our brother and did not say to forgive our neighbor. That wont fit into His commands for us to walk in Love and forgiveness.
We are to love God with our whole heart ( spirit )
We are to love our neighbor as our self
We are to love our enemies

When we pray if we have AUGHT AGAINST ANY - forgive - we see here that word any would include your neighbor.

Now Brother Big Moose If I have totally missed what you are saying then please forgive me.
God Bless
Jim
 
As I was delving into Luke 17, I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 18: 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
What a question.
Reading further into chapter 18, I noticed a theme on faith.
Starting in verse 1>>that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Not lose heart...have faith.
Then continuing with the parable of the persistent widow, did the widow have faith that she could convince the judge to do something? Or did the judge have the faith that this widow would continue to pester him?
Then Jesus encourages them to have faith that God will be there to listen.

On to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus "spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others". Those who wrongly have faith in themselves. Faith will come to those who humble themselves.

Then, Jesus teaches the disciples to let the children come to Him and that "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it". Having faith as a little child.

On to the rich young ruler who had his faith in his wealth. How something as fleeting as riches can destroy or push faith in God out of your life.
Then the disciples faithlessly wonder "Who can be saved?" Jesus says, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God". God makes it possible thru the intangible faith.

To finish the chapter, the persistence of the blind man shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” over the warnings of the others nearby.
Jesus responds, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Faith will cure your spiritual blindness. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Lord, thank you for faith.

Faith will take you from victory to victory from Glory to Glory and Faith does not flow or operate or DEPEND on what others think or believe or say - for Faith is powered by His word.
God Bless and thank you for these wonderful post on Faith.
Jim
 
I always find this scripture interesting when discussing faith.
Luke 17:
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

--Even when Jesus says to forgive over and over your brother, not neighbor but brother, the disciples feel they need more faith to be able to do that. Notice Jesus insinuates that they have less faith than a mustard seed. What He says next, I think, gives some insight on faith.
When we do our duty we are increasing our faith, in that our faith is connected to God's faith in us. The more we do what we are given to do, God puts more faith in us. Meaning, God trusts us more to do His will, AND we are receiving more faith from God.
Have you ever had someone put faith or trust in you, whether a boss, teacher, friend, coach or parent? Doesn't this faith in you also build up belief in yourself that you can accomplish your task and even more?
And likewise, if someone loses faith in you, doesn't it affect you in a negative way?

So, if God puts faith in you then you have faith. Almost as if He lends you some and sees what comes of it before giving more. Just like the talents given to the servants. To those who have shown faith and produced fruits by it, more will be given.

As i was reading the verses from luke...it reminded me what i heard from my pastor toninght. Faith is our servant. When we use faith or put the law (nomos- anything established) of faith (Romans 3:27) to practice in our lives it does what we believe it can do, and its not us or our power that does the works but the Fathers (John 14:10)
Blessings
 
As I was delving into Luke 17, I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 18: 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
What a question.
Reading further into chapter 18, I noticed a theme on faith.
Starting in verse 1>>that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Not lose heart...have faith.
Then continuing with the parable of the persistent widow, did the widow have faith that she could convince the judge to do something? Or did the judge have the faith that this widow would continue to pester him?
Then Jesus encourages them to have faith that God will be there to listen.

On to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus "spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others". Those who wrongly have faith in themselves. Faith will come to those who humble themselves.

Then, Jesus teaches the disciples to let the children come to Him and that "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it". Having faith as a little child.

On to the rich young ruler who had his faith in his wealth. How something as fleeting as riches can destroy or push faith in God out of your life.
Then the disciples faithlessly wonder "Who can be saved?" Jesus says, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God". God makes it possible thru the intangible faith.

To finish the chapter, the persistence of the blind man shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” over the warnings of the others nearby.
Jesus responds, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Faith will cure your spiritual blindness. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Lord, thank you for faith.

And you reminded me of the story of the woman with the issue of blood....she had to have faith in order to receive healing in her body just from touching the hem of Jesus garment. She could have been stoned by the religous leaders if she had been caught outside of her house, because of her illness. And Jesus told her that her faith had made her well. And she was healed before Jesus told her that, because it says that He knew power had gone out from Him.

Blessings
 
Everyone has been give the measure of faith, according to:

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

Yet there is the gift of faith, mentioned in , which not everyone has, but everyone can receive it at least once in one's lifetime, which is a distinct measure of faith to believe in a certain thing which shall come to pass, and who declares it to the Body and thereby increases the faith of others toward that God-promised thing.
God has given to every man a measure of faith to profit with all.

".........according as God has dealt to every man a measure of faith....."
What a lot of people do not have saved or not is a clear understanding of what faith"IS".
That all men have faith in accordance with what faith "is" is beyond dispute and zip have endeavoured to prove it so in pas posts here.
Those of the world then who mock and reject the faith of some who's faith is not in the world but in God,do but undermine their own and in the very things they have put their faith in.
Faith in God is not of this world though it is the SAME faith but it's aim and rest is now in God.but it works or came by the same principles of how faith works all the time.whether it be in God or no.
Faith is a gift of God in any event.
For even as" He sends the rain on the just and the unjust,"even as the tares rejoice when it rains as the wheat does..So then has he given to all men a measure of faith.
"If I be lifted up said Jesus (on the cross)I will draw ALL men unto me"
For God so loved the world...means NONE are excluded.That does not mean that all will come. It means no one has any excuse.and they have closed their ears to the Gospel and hardened their hearts too many times.
When I say that faith is automatic on understanding the Word of God. You are right it is often stolen by the birds that live in the tree.falls on hard ground etc.
But by the grace of God it is rare that a person only hears the gospel once.in truth someone once said what right have we to hear it more? When others have yet to hear it?
Be that as it may,understanding may well come slower than we think.
What I'm saying is when that understanding does come by the grace and operation of the Holy Spirit.you do mot have to search for faith,it is as it were automatic as a flower opens up its petals to the sun.
We are man is created to operate and live by faith. A thing many in the world do not understand and mock,as I have said before,even as man is created for light and the truth.and neither prospers or profits in any way walking in darkness and believing or speaking lies.
We;man ,was created to walk with God in the cool of the evening" as it were.
as the eye then responds to light so then does faith rise in response to our understanding of God's Word.
For "faith in God comes by hearing and understanding the Word of God"
That does not mean we are then giants of faith.for are we not babe's in Christ? When we first believed? Understanding but the milk of the Word of God and then continuing to desire the sincere milk of the word as new born babe's in Christ.
are we not then called to stronger food?The meat and our faith to grow from something as small as mustard seed and onto perfection as of a great tree?
From "little children to "ye fathers"

The great need in the Church today is a lack of meat. For if we go to list of Paul in Hebrews as to what he considered milk. Then those are the subjects most preached on.and very little of what he called meat.
Thus when the Lord asked when he comes will he" find faith" There will be so little of real faith that it brings out the question will he find faith? Much like his question will ye also leave? To his disciples.
If the Bride is to be ready for the coming of the
There is simple faith or trust and then there is God given Faith.
Faith is not just simply belieivng in God or Jesus was risen.

Gerald you said.........
But as soon as you understand what God is saying the faith is already there .

That is not 100 percent correct. The devil our enemy comes immediately to steal - kill and destroy for the word sake. This means he comes to remove or hinder or polute the word you just received or understood. Nothing has grown yet. It has not taken root yet.

If all we had to do is understand something God said and faith is automatically there then we would all be spiritual giants ware faith is concerned.

You are dividing faith like it is many different types of faith. It is ONE faith but different levels of growth or development.
Blessings
jim

Jim, Who can deny that birds living in the tree tops come and steal the word out of the heart of som as soon as it is spoken.?
and others it falls on stony ground etc .
But I would doubt if any man does not hear the gospel preached more than once . Though as someone rightly said ,why should a man here it many times when others not at all?
But "God is patient not willign that any should perish bu that all should come to a knowldge of the truth "
and it si often the case a person hears the gospel often before it sinks in or is not stolen or the person takes it seriously.
I once had a conversation with a young Moslem who i asked did he not believe that Jesus was a true prophet of God? He said yes" I then asked him did he not know that Jesus taught that if a man looks at a woman with lust in his heart he ahs commited adultery already ? To his credit(?) he allowed the word to sink into his heart and illuminate it and his face fell , and he said "But that means we are all guilty"! I replied "you said it" he then ruined himself by seekign to justify himself and said "but its the womens fault"
Man always excuses himself and to justifies himself, blames another . Adam blamed God , Eve blamed the serpent .
The truth is that man was created for the light. and for the truth and to walk with God "in the cool of the evening "as it were .
He neither prospers or profits from lying or believing a lie or walking in darkness.
But as a flower responds to the sun and opens up its petals so does a man respond or can to God and the gospel .
When I say God has given to every man a measure of faith ,I mean it as .
I mean according to what faith "IS" all men have a measure of it and need not go lookign for it or obtain it ;and accordign to what faith IS then man faith IN GOD comes by the same way "understanding ".
For even as "God sends the rain on the just and the unjust" then both the tares and the wheat rejoice when it rains . When Jesus said "If I be lifted up (on the cross) I will draw ALL men unto me" There is no exception . ALL means all .Even as God so loved the world means all are included . But that does not eman all will come or all will repsond to that love .
So all men have faith accordign to what faith IS , Its just that the majority of the people have their faith in 'gods' that are not , in the world , in themselves/works and thier religions .Even as caine was in his .

Those then who mock a mans faith in God do then but undermine thier own and eevn as our faith in God goes form sdtrength to strength and is assured ,theirs is continy=ually undermined and the very things they have put thier faith in are turnign t
With respect to you, @geralduk, care should be taken in the way we express ourselves too, to avoid any possible misunderstanding: however, if the words, highlighted above, express your understanding concerning this subject, then I respectfully disagree with you.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

With the written word there is always the chance of misunderstandings as there is no imidiate way or responding to correct any or elucidate further .Thus time elapsed has a way of allowing a small misunderstanding or error to grow .
I do no mind so much if people misunderstand me or even think I am wrong .I am not infallible. though some foolishly claim they are .
But if you disagree with me as to that "high calling" if not for your sake but for any others reading can you explain why you do not agree?
I will attempt to preempt some objections .
To be BORN from on high cannot be our "high calling" as we are not only already "begotten again......." by the will of the father by the Spirit through the Son.
How then are we called to a high calling if we then have already answered? Pauls mention of our high calling is then following our new creation.
To be BORNagain qualifies us to " run the race" not win the prize.
The world is not qualified to run at all.
Paul says we must run lawfully to win the prize . We are not BORNgain by works of the law .
Paul says I have run the race , he did not presume as far as I can tell that he had won the prize . is that for another to judge?
John the Baptist claimed only to be a "friend of the Groom" . In a wedding you have the bride and groom and friends of both.
Yet Jesus claimed he was the greatest born of women .
If John saw the groom on the isle of Patmos on the Lords day . What manner then the Bride?
Then I say the church has reduced not only the gospel to being but BORNagain. as the be all and end all of our so great a Salvation .
But has also reduced the "High calling " to something much lower in keeping with its present experience.

But please if you will, explain why you disagree.
If only to correct me if needs must . But also for others .

in Christ
gerald
 
I do no mind so much if people misunderstand me or even think I am wrong .I am not infallible. though some foolishly claim they are .
But if you disagree with me as to that "high calling" if not for your sake but for any others reading can you explain why you do not agree?
I will attempt to preempt some objections .

Hello @geralduk,

Yes, I will come back on this, God willing.

With love in Christ Jesus
Chris
 
And you reminded me of the story of the woman with the issue of blood....she had to have faith in order to receive healing in her body just from touching the hem of Jesus garment. She could have been stoned by the religous leaders if she had been caught outside of her house, because of her illness. And Jesus told her that her faith had made her well. And she was healed before Jesus told her that, because it says that He knew power had gone out from Him.

Blessings

There was also a greater miracle that happened that day than people realised then or now .
For the woman by the law was made unclean. and all she touched were made unclean as well and she touched many .For there was a great throng around Jesus at the time so she had to press her way forwards .
When she was made clean so too then was everybody else made clean from her uncleaness .
When the Lord stood up in the boat and commanded the waves and the to be still and there was a great calm there was also a lot of other "little boats" that benefited as well.
It is always thus I think .
When Mary broke the alibaster box full of precious ointment it is recorded that the fragrance "filled the whole room"

in Christ
gerald
I always find this scripture interesting when discussing faith.


Luke 17:
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

--Even when Jesus says to forgive over and over your brother, not neighbor but brother, the disciples feel they need more faith to be able to do that. Notice Jesus insinuates that they have less faith than a mustard seed. What He says next, I think, gives some insight on faith.
When we do our duty we are increasing our faith, in that our faith is connected to God's faith in us. The more we do what we are given to do, God puts more faith in us. Meaning, God trusts us more to do His will, AND we are receiving more faith from God.
Have you ever had someone put faith or trust in you, whether a boss, teacher, friend, coach or parent? Doesn't this faith in you also build up belief in yourself that you can accomplish your task and even more?
And likewise, if someone loses faith in you, doesn't it affect you in a negative way?

So, if God puts faith in you then you have faith. Almost as if He lends you some and sees what comes of it before giving more. Just like the talents given to the servants. To those who have shown faith and produced fruits by it, more will be given.

"The gifts of God are without repentance"
The measure of faith God has given to all men is like the muscles of the body we are given. If we use and excercise our faith our muscles grow and develop .
Whether it be in the world or in the things of God.
Experience in this or the next world then encourages us to do more in faith . than we did before .
I have to repeat it "faith in God comes by hearing and understanding the Word of God" as our understanding grows and we walk min the light of the understanding God has given us so too then does our faith grow .
If we do now walk in the light that we have God will not give us more light .Or then more faith .

in Christ
gerald
 
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