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"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3: 16
F A I T H
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think
soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Romans 12:3It seems to me with the Holy Spirit's wooing us through our lifetime and the spark or regeneration of our understanding bringing out of death to life and in that moment, we are "Born Again". We have been given the measure of faith to believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The Propitiation, the exchanging of His righteousness for our sin. "He became sin for us who knew no sin that we might become righteous in Him." "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are 'the called' according to His purpose" Romans 8:28 Why are you A Christian and your neighbor is not? "For whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29 I guess the most questioned word in the bible among Christians of all denominations. Have you been asked to define the meaning of predestinate? Most believe is means foreknowledge and that is true as the term is used in the verse, but also notice predestinate or (predetermined before the worlds were {He knew us} and planned and purposed our lives ahead of time). Foreknowledge - knew ahead of time. God doesn't learn as He goes along, He knew the END from the BEGINNING. He does not live in time as we do, He over- arches time. Do you have purpose in your life? Are you positive you are in the will of God going full-out in your ministry, in your church and your community? "God has a purpose for each one of us, a work for each one to do, a place for each one to fill, an influence for each one to exert, a likeness to His dear Son for each one to manifest." Arthur C. A. Hall "That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." 2 Corinthians 4:11 "We live gifted with certain forms of spiritual grace embodied in us, for some purpose of divine love to be fulfilled by us, some idea of the divine mind to be imaged forth in our creaturely state." T. T. Carter Predestined never for Hell, always for glory. If you would question this, note the following verse called 'the Royal Pipeline'. "Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified (just-as-if-he'd never sinned); and whom He justified, them He also glorified. Romans 8:30 CHOSEN = GOD'S ELECT And now for our part - FAITH = PISTEUO = I BELIEVE Pisteuo primarily firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing (akin to peitho, to persuade), is used in the New Testament always of faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. The main elements in faith in it's relation to the invisible God, as distinct from faith in man, are especially brought out in the use of the noun and corresponding verb, pisteuo: they are: a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God's revelation of truth, e.g., - 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 a personal surrender to Him - John 1:12 a conduct inspired by such surrender - 2 Corinthians 5:7 Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good faith without necessary reference to its proof. The object of Abraham's faith was not God's promise (that was the occasion of its exercise); his faith rested on God Himself. Romans 4:17,20-21 Oligopistos, Lit., little of faith. Used only by the Lord, and as a tender rebuke, for anxiety Matthew 6:30, Luke 12:28, or fear Matthew 8:26; 14 :31; 16:8 W. E. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Keyed to Strong's Reference Numbers by W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, WilliamWhite, Jr., Thomas Nelson Publishers, Pg. 401 I recommend this book highly, as well as The New Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Published by Thomas Nelson. For more description of the words I would also have in my library the two books below as they also have the Strong's Concordance Numbers for those of us who haven't spent the years learning the two languages, Greek in the New Testament and Hebrew- Chaldee in the Old Testament: The Thayers' Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by Joseph H. Thayer, Published by Baker Book House The Gesesnius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament Translated by Samuel Prideaux Tregelles, LL.D., Published by Baker Book House "Each wish to pray is a breath from heaven, to strengthen and refresh us; each act of faith is wrought in us by Him, and draws us to Him." Edward B. Pusey The faith presses upon man his noblest desires as obligations, and makes their attainment possible by the gift of the Spirit." Brooke Foss Westcott "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world...even our faith." I John 5:4 Read about the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 through 12:2. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, so how ought we to live? Dear heavenly Father, I know you have a plan and purpose for each one of us. I believe, help my unbelief. Help me to open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel to the lost and dying world where I am to those around me. Help me Lord, to be strong in your power and might, to put on the whole armor of God, to be girt about with truth, to have on the breastplate of righteousness, to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where-with we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Help me take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Amen
From Fear to Faith
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