Our faith. What is faith? Is is simply saying I believe in something. I believe the answer is yes, or I believe the answer is no. Do you believe in the words "yes and "no" or do you believe in the answer?
There are people who say, "I believe in Jesus". What Jesus? Some believe in a Jesus from the planet Kolob, some believe in a Jesus who had a sinless mother and a grandmother named Anne,
some believe in a Jesus who is not God, some believe in a Jesus who was only a prophet, and some.... believe in the word Jesus like they believe in the words "yes or "no".
To really believe in Jesus, is to believe in the things Jesus believed in. To acts like Jesus, to walk like Jesus, to love like Jesus, to follow his teachings, to become a servant like Jesus, are some of
the things you do if you really "believe" in Jesus. Otherwise it's kind of like saying I believe the Dallas Cowboys is the best football team, but I'll wear Green Bay Packers clothing, root for the Patriots,
and go to all the Ravens games, even though I live in Dallas. Faith isn't just what you say, it's what you do.
You quoted Rom 4:5; above.
Four verses later it gives an example of this.
Rom 4:9; Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
What was the faith that was credited to Abraham? Was it merely saying he believed? Or was it something he did that proved his faith when it was tested?
Heb 11:17; By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:22; You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was proven;
Jas 2:23; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24; You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone..
Hi B-A-C,
Sorry for the slow response. I've been busy at work.
John 12:44
Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me."
In believing in Jesus we are really believing God.
In believing in Jesus our faith is counted as righteousness, Rom 4:5
In believing in Jesus we're sanctified, Heb 10:10; perfected, Heb 10:14; and cannot sin, 1John 3:9.
In believing in Jesus we have life everlasting.
God's will for us is to believe in Jesus, John 6:40
Our works that shows our faith is to believe in Jesus, John 6:29
We overcome the world by believing in Jesus, 1John 5:5
And remember John 12:44
Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me."
So in believing in Jesus (our works that shows our faith) we are really believing God. Abraham also believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
Unfortunately this is not as easy as it seems, for some. They can't accept that believing God is enough. Salvation by grace is not sufficient (this is unbelief) hence they add works of the law to be perfected by the flesh (Gal 3:3).
Unfortunately this error doctrine of mixing grace with works of the law is being lukewarm, which is not acceptable to God, Rev 3:16. It's unbelief.
Jude 1:3; Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
Jude 1:4; For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
"the faith", not "a faith" what is the difference? A faith is believing in anything about anyone. 'The faith' is about believing in Jesus and all he stood for. Obeying the commandments, loving people, serving people, praying for people, and even denying himself (to the point of death on a cross) to save people. If we aren't denying ourselves, and putting other people first, loving them and serving them, we aren't
really believing in Jesus. We are just saying we do. Kind of like saying we believe in the Dallas Cowboys.
Back to Jude above.
Jude 1:8; Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.
Jude 1:12; These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
Jude 1:16; These men are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Jude 1:17; But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Jude 1:18; that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts."
Notice all the verses say "these men" (who are opposed to 'the faith') are people who don't follow the teachings of Jesus, only "caring for themselves", and "following after their own ungodly lusts".
If you're following yourself, you aren't following Jesus, no matter who's football jersey you're wearing.
1 Pet 1:7; so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
If your faith is only what you say, it isn't faith at all.
What proof would you think is needed of one's faith.
Is it
perfect obedience to the law (James 2:10
?
Or is it some lessor, yet acceptable level of obedience? And what scripture is there to show what this lessor level of obedience is?
If our works shows our faith then it's important we know exactly what works are required.
Contrary to what you claim, scripture tells us clearly and simply what we are to do.
We all know what faith is, Heb 11:1
Scripture says our faith will be tested.
And without works faith is dead, being alone, James 2:17.
The works that shows our faith is to believe in Jesus, John 6:29.
Yet we see there is a stumbling block, Rev 2:14; for Christians. It's the law. Establishing righteousness by works of the law. This is spiritual fornication with Hagar.
Gal 3:3
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Doctrines that proclaim grace
but then add that salvation must be proved by obedience to the law, such are nothing more than a lukewarm mix of grace and works. It is unbelief and failing God's grace Heb 12:15.
The law is a stumbling block for Christians. Many scriptures warn against turning to the law for righteousness. Yet we see this so often that some proclaim grace with the provision that works of the law must be added as proof of righteousness.
For Christians who believe in Jesus, when their faith is tested, they realize that you cannot mix grace with works of the law, Rom 11:6.