Where does faith come from?

1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, BUT in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12
Now (its always now) :) we have received (dt 29:29) not the spirit of the world, BUT the Spirit which is of God (1 Peter 1:4, 23); that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Vs.14- but the natural man receiveth not the things (translated words in Hebrew) of the Spirit of God......Because they are Spiritually discerned.

Romans 12:2 says to renew our minds, with the Word of God, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
If we don't renew our minds with the Word.....then our minds will remain carnal or natural and the things of God will seem foolish or silly (1 Corinthians 1:18)

1 Corinthians 1:4-5
I thank My God.......for the grace of God which is given you BY Jesus Christ That in everything ye are enriched By Him in all utterance and all knowledge
Vs. 6-9
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ WHO shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (koinonia....intimate knowing) of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord

Hebrews 11:1
Now Faith (pistis....conviction of the truth, belief ; in the new testament of a conviction or belief respecting a man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it) is the substance (hupostasis....that which has a foundation, is firm...which has actual existence) of things hoped (elpizo....to expect or confide, trust) for, the evidence (elegchos...a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested, conviction) of things not seen (blepo....to look at (literally or figuratively) behold , beware, perceive, regard, take heed)

Blessings of grace and peace be yours in abundance
 
Romans 8:9 -13
9)But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ , he is none of His or does not belong to Him.
10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead (spiritually dead...1. Destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins 2. In active as respects doing right....destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative) because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Where does ones righteousness come from?
11) BUT if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive, give life) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12) Therefore brethren, we are debitors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13) For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: But if you Through The Spirit do moritfy (or put to death, to be liberated from the bondage) the deeds of the body, you shall live.
14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

So how does one put to death and have victory over the deeds of the sinful nature (flesh)? By renewing your mind (Romans 12:2)With the Word of God. To the Ways of God (matthew 6:33). So that what is in you and comes out of you in abundance (matthew 12:34b-35) is the Word of God, which can also be said to be the thoughts and Will of God. And training your flesh or sinful nature to be in submisson to the Word and Ways of God. Romans 8:2, 4-5, Galatians 5:16, 6:8

2 Peter 1:3-4
According as His divine power hath (past tense...already done) given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue (valor or excellence, of moral goodness or excellence..ie...modesty, purity). 4) whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (self committal): that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (could be emotional or sensual....pleasing to the 5 physical senses......Thayer and Strongs definition is desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden)

Blessings :)
 
And I love Jim Richards because he puts these words which are glazed over by Christians into a practical application in our lives. Hence the promises of God are all yes and amen but for what Jesus did on the cross by freeing us from the curse of the law and that by us, Glory is given to God by the hope we have through the faith we practice in our daily lives. And he shows how to do that in this 5-part sermon... here's part one:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BK3P1iqTMU

 
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth (make alive); the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that i speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life
 
And I love Jim Richards because he puts these words which are glazed over by Christians into a practical application in our lives. Hence the promises of God are all yes and amen but for what Jesus did on the cross by freeing us from the curse of the law and that by us, Glory is given to God by the hope we have through the faith we practice in our daily lives. And he shows how to do that in this 5-part sermon... here's part one:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BK3P1iqTMU


I have to agree with you, it really makes my heart sad when i see and hear Born Again Believers that are blinded by the veil of the law...that they cannot grasp all that Jesus has done for them. To set them at liberty, freeing them from the bondage of sin and death. I think the devil has caused good Christian people to think that they have to earn the free gift of righteousness. They have not fully dove in head first into the scripturs to find out what is really theirs. Instead the things of this world have stolen from them their freedom freely given them in God's Grace.

Thanks for posting this link. And i am surely blessed that it speaks to you in such a valuable way :) and am encouraged that it will speak to others!

Blessings of grace and peace be yours and your family's in abundance!
 
pleasing to the 5 physical senses
That's it right there! The brain is made with a NEED for joy and very cheap substitute for joy is pleasure. We need the joy of the Lord in our lives, or our brain WILL latch onto some pleasure: alcohol, sweets, sleep, porn, drugs, sex, etc. That's why when these things are exercised, you feel hollow still afterwards. Pleasure can never satisfy the brain's need for God's joy. So people get deeper and deeper into pleasure until it literally kills them, all for the lack of joy in their hearts.

See most people explain away what Jesus did as "Only He could do what He did" and there is a truth in that statement, but far too many use it as an excuse to continue in their sins. 100% of everything Jesus did, He did as a man. If He had used His Godly side, then He has no right to require anything of us. Jesus carved out a path, a way, the means, for us to do exactly, and more, of what He did. How did He do it then?

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.​

First is to humble ourselves as He did!

Philippians 2:8 (KJV)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.​

Second learn obedience as He did!

Hebrews 5:8 (KJV)
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;​

Joy in Hebrew is שׂמחה (simchah) and it's letter meaning is consuming, living waters, rising, grace. When we humble ourselves to God's prompting, we are filled with the living waters which raises up grace. Isn't that just what Jesus did? What Joy was set before Him? The "things not seen".
 
They have not fully dove in head first into the scripturs to find out what is really theirs.
Amen!! What are the things not seen? Even scientists say that the universe is comprised with 68% of "something" they can't see, but is detected. The physical is nothing more than the shadows of what's not seen. This is the power of believing in what cannot be seen - Jesus - Who holds all things together, Col 1:17.

This is what most Christians cannot or will not grasp: With all the promises of God as Yes and Amen in Christ, then why the issues? There is no promise that issues won't come, because they will. But when they do, it then becomes a choice to wallow in it, or declare the unseen (no issue) as true. That's the practicality of faith. If someone echos a prayer and doesn't believe it'll happen, guess what, it ain't gonna happen. This is why there are so many out there that say they prayed to God to save them, but nothing's changed in their lives. They're living a delusion - worse that living unsaved. Faith changes the physical. God will reveal the JOY and give it to anyone who asks.

Many don't even understand what Joy is. They confuse it with happiness. Joy is: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. What is the expectation?

Philippians 1:20 (KJV)
According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.​

HOPE!! Isn't that tied right in with faith!? Faith is the foundation for things (accomplished deeds by Jesus) hoped for. When we use our spiritual eye (aka imagination, intuition) expecting good things, then they will occur. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Freedom from sin is something not seen right? So faith, through grace, gives us the means to cease from sin. Freedom from debt is something not seen right? So faith, through grace, gives us the means to cease from poverty. How!?

James 1:17 (KJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.​

Everything good comes from the Father, and this is what "joy" that was set before Jesus (and us) where we can do all the miracles He did and more. It's only a matter of faith.
 
That's it right there! The brain is made with a NEED for joy and very cheap substitute for joy is pleasure. We need the joy of the Lord in our lives, or our brain WILL latch onto some pleasure: alcohol, sweets, sleep, porn, drugs, sex, etc. That's why when these things are exercised, you feel hollow still afterwards. Pleasure can never satisfy the brain's need for God's joy. So people get deeper and deeper into pleasure until it literally kills them, all for the lack of joy in their hearts.

See most people explain away what Jesus did as "Only He could do what He did" and there is a truth in that statement, but far too many use it as an excuse to continue in their sins. 100% of everything Jesus did, He did as a man. If He had used His Godly side, then He has no right to require anything of us. Jesus carved out a path, a way, the means, for us to do exactly, and more, of what He did. How did He do it then?

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.​

First is to humble ourselves as He did!

Philippians 2:8 (KJV)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.​

Second learn obedience as He did!

Hebrews 5:8 (KJV)
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;​

Joy in Hebrew is שׂמחה (simchah) and it's letter meaning is consuming, living waters, rising, grace. When we humble ourselves to God's prompting, we are filled with the living waters which raises up grace. Isn't that just what Jesus did? What Joy was set before Him? The "things not seen".

And the purpose of Him telling us that He is the bread of life....and anyone who comes to Him will never be thirsty again....and those living waters of His Word are what washes us, continually (as in the washing of the water of the Word).

The things not seen...He knew what they were , but it was not revealed solidly to us until acts on the day of pentecost, when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Just like you said...Jesus was on this earth as a man. And was not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit until the dove decended upon Him as He obediently was baptized by John. He is our high priest according to the order of Melchizadek and the only reason why He (like you said can expect or know that we can walk in His example) Hebrews
 
So finally, for those that don't believe these words from God, what does it mean? Well, if they can't live by faith, then do they actually possess the faith they need to get saved?

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
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.​

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)
Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.​

Romans 1:17 (KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.​

Galatians 3:11 (KJV)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.​

Hebrews 10:38 (KJV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.​

Maybe they're saved, but then they stop there (draw back) then God says He has not pleasure in them... how dreadfully sad.
 
So finally, for those that don't believe these words from God, what does it mean? Well, if they can't live by faith, then do they actually possess the faith they need to get saved?

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
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.​

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)
Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.​

Romans 1:17 (KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.​

Galatians 3:11 (KJV)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.​

Hebrews 10:38 (KJV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.​

Maybe they're saved, but then they stop there (draw back) then God says He has not pleasure in them... how dreadfully sad.

2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. The devil has used the things in Mark 4 (The parable of the sower) to steal the Word...which is a seed :)
 
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. The devil has used the things in Mark 4 (The parable of the sower) to steal the Word...which is a seed :)
Amen!!

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (KJV)
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.​

Those people that go out and preach without the help of the Holy Spirit are doing "religious" things (wood, hay, stubble). But when people do as the Holy Spirit says "Go preach on the corner" then it's gold, silver and precious stones. Faith isn't hoping you're doing right, faith is obeying without knowing why and doing it anyhow.

We had new neighbors and my wife was told by the Lord to make dinner for them after meeting them. My wife didn't like the woman. So she said, yea, ok, I'll make them spaghetti and meatballs... then the Lord said, and vegetable soup. My wife makes a great chicken soup (well, soups of all kinds) and said she'd make chicken soup, and the Lord said, "no, vegetable soup". Well she didn't question the Lord further and did as He said. She gave them the spaghetti and meatballs with minestrone soup. The next day the woman came over with the empty dishes and said they were great and "How did you know two of the four of us are vegetarian?" God knew...

So we were in Ikea and they had some orchids for sale and my wife wanted a white one, but the Lord told her to buy a purple one. So she did. When we got home, as we were getting out of the car, our neighbor (the husband) was walking by and the Lord told my wife to give the orchid to him for his wife. She protested that it was hers, but gave it to him obediently. Then later the woman came over the thank my wife and said "How did you know purple is my favorite color?!" God knew.

So if we had gone over and banged on the door "open up, you must be saved" would it have been half as effective as God's way? Sure, they would have eventually "prayed" just to get rid of us, and maybe even believed they were saved, but in God's eyes, would they actually be saved? Only by a transformation of their lives would be evidence of true salvation. There is no formula for the things of God. It is all based on a relationship. Everything else is just dead works.
 
Amen!! What are the things not seen? Even scientists say that the universe is comprised with 68% of "something" they can't see, but is detected. The physical is nothing more than the shadows of what's not seen. This is the power of believing in what cannot be seen - Jesus - Who holds all things together, Col 1:17.

This is what most Christians cannot or will not grasp: With all the promises of God as Yes and Amen in Christ, then why the issues? There is no promise that issues won't come, because they will. But when they do, it then becomes a choice to wallow in it, or declare the unseen (no issue) as true. That's the practicality of faith. If someone echos a prayer and doesn't believe it'll happen, guess what, it ain't gonna happen. This is why there are so many out there that say they prayed to God to save them, but nothing's changed in their lives. They're living a delusion - worse that living unsaved. Faith changes the physical. God will reveal the JOY and give it to anyone who asks.

Many don't even understand what Joy is. They confuse it with happiness. Joy is: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. What is the expectation?

Philippians 1:20 (KJV)
According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.​

HOPE!! Isn't that tied right in with faith!? Faith is the foundation for things (accomplished deeds by Jesus) hoped for. When we use our spiritual eye (aka imagination, intuition) expecting good things, then they will occur. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Freedom from sin is something not seen right? So faith, through grace, gives us the means to cease from sin. Freedom from debt is something not seen right? So faith, through grace, gives us the means to cease from poverty. How!?

James 1:17 (KJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.​

Everything good comes from the Father, and this is what "joy" that was set before Jesus (and us) where we can do all the miracles He did and more. It's only a matter of faith.

Picture this
When God moves in ones life - satan is right there behind Him piggy backing off of God bringing his words and works. Remember he comes IMMEDIATELY to steel - kill and destroy for the word sake.

So God gets blamed for the enemies actions and Christians accept it as Gods will. How sad is that ?

Well we prayed and nothing happened and every time we prayed after that we lost our peace so we know it was not Gods will. NO - you just allowed satan to steel - kill and destroy your answered prayer. We do have to fight the good fight of faith. Yes we win or the victory is already ours - but if you give up or give in to the enemies lies and ways then you never end up in your victory.

Know your enemy , know your victory - Give Way To Your Enemy - Give Away Your Victory
It is just that simple
God Bless
Jim
 
Picture this
When God moves in ones life - satan is right there behind Him piggy backing off of God bringing his words and works. Remember he comes IMMEDIATELY to steel - kill and destroy for the word sake.

So God gets blamed for the enemies actions and Christians accept it as Gods will. How sad is that ?

Well we prayed and nothing happened and every time we prayed after that we lost our peace so we know it was not Gods will. NO - you just allowed satan to steel - kill and destroy your answered prayer. We do have to fight the good fight of faith. Yes we win or the victory is already ours - but if you give up or give in to the enemies lies and ways then you never end up in your victory.

Know your enemy , know your victory - Give Way To Your Enemy - Give Away Your Victory
It is just that simple
God Bless
Jim
Faith action is more than just speaking and confessing, it's a matter of belief. Otherwise all those pseudo-Christians would actually be saved. Belief comes, then authoritative confession seals the deal with continued belief.
 
Faith action is more than just speaking and confessing, it's a matter of belief. Otherwise all those pseudo-Christians would actually be saved. Belief comes, then authoritative confession seals the deal with continued belief.
Abdicate exactly - NOW then your Belief, believing, Faith will not be any stronger then what you are speaking. The words we speak eventually control How We Think and how we think controls how we believe and how we believe controls our Faith or the depth or strength.

It is not about simply saying the right thing here or there. It is a life style.
God Bless
Jim
 
Abdicate exactly - NOW then your Belief, believing, Faith will not be any stronger then what you are speaking. The words we speak eventually control How We Think and how we think controls how we believe and how we believe controls our Faith or the depth or strength.

It is not about simply saying the right thing here or there. It is a life style.
God Bless
Jim

Isn't faith a gift of God? We can't work it up ourselves.
 
Isn't faith a gift of God? We can't work it up ourselves.
Faith is given to each and every person. It is like a muscle - it must be built on. Faith Cometh by hearing and hearing of the word.

Jesus said to His disciples and others - ye of little faith- another words they were speaking or acting from more of a natural reasoning way and not Godly faith. We are told to renew the mind unto His ways - this builds faith.

This is why some can go through trials and such in Joy for their faith is built up strong in His ways and others crumble and cry out why me God.

Prayer will not increase faith - that is our Job. We must build up our faith. It is a life long process.
God Bless
Jim
 
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God (1 Peter 1:23) overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world

John 15:1-2, 4
I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit (Mt 15:13) He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Matthew 15:13
But He answered and said, every plant which My Heavenly Father has not planted, will be uprooted. ~And this in not talking about people, but His Word that dwells within us. So if we have a wrong thought or belief...and we are studying the Word, then the Holy Spirit will use the truth of His Word to uproot the wrong belief.
 
Isn't faith a gift of God? We can't work it up ourselves.
Actually, everyone has a measure of faith, Rom 12:3. It's not a gift, salvation is the gift. Everyone believes everything they have a belief in based on the evidence they've gathered. Someone who is physically abused by every male in their family will never trust a male without some serious regathering of evidence to the contrary. Faith's definition is: conviction of the truth of anything, a belief.
 
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