We know “Gods grace”, or “Gods favor” is a gift, but what about faith?
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Faith is also shown as a gift from God…
Romans 12:6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
1 Corinthians 12:7-9
King James Version
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”
So truly a man can receive nothing except it be given to him from heaven-John 3:27
Peace
Faith is a gift from God
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Stewardofthemystery
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #31Faith , Blessings of His Death !
The Blessings of Christ death for those He did die for and in behalf of, will cause them to believe in Him, For believing in Christ is given to them He died for, on His Behalf Phil 1:29. God makes them believe as promised here Zep 3:12
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
And Romans 15:12
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Or in Him shall the gentiles seek as in Faith. The word Trust is the same word hope as in Heb 11:1,6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 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.
The Blessings of Christ death for those He did die for and in behalf of, will cause them to believe in Him, For believing in Christ is given to them He died for, on His Behalf Phil 1:29. God makes them believe as promised here Zep 3:12
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
And Romans 15:12
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Or in Him shall the gentiles seek as in Faith. The word Trust is the same word hope as in Heb 11:1,6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 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.
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #32Faith in God and Christ is a matter of Mercy !
Rom 11:32
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Faith in God and Christ is a matter of Mercy , in other words, in order to become a believer in Christ for Salvation, we must obtain Mercy, or God must have Mercy on us. Paul says 1 Tim 12-13
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Salvation is undeserved, Faith in Christ is undeserved, and God's Mercy finds us in unbelief or disobedience and ignorance !
Paul is saying nothing nothing different than what he wrote here to the Romans Rom 11:30-32
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy[To believe] through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy[To believe].
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
This shows us actually that instead of of faith or believing being conditions one must meet to become saved or to get mercy, instead being in unbelief and disobedience is the condition one must be in to obtain mercy that saves us. That we are saved by Mercy is Taught here Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Many adversaries of the Truth will say that God does not save unbelievers, but in fact what has been just testified to in scripture proves, evidences that He does, for if He did not, there would be no need of His Mercy, and there would never be any believers, for believers are unbelievers saved by God's Mercy ! 3
Rom 11:32
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Faith in God and Christ is a matter of Mercy , in other words, in order to become a believer in Christ for Salvation, we must obtain Mercy, or God must have Mercy on us. Paul says 1 Tim 12-13
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Salvation is undeserved, Faith in Christ is undeserved, and God's Mercy finds us in unbelief or disobedience and ignorance !
Paul is saying nothing nothing different than what he wrote here to the Romans Rom 11:30-32
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy[To believe] through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy[To believe].
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
This shows us actually that instead of of faith or believing being conditions one must meet to become saved or to get mercy, instead being in unbelief and disobedience is the condition one must be in to obtain mercy that saves us. That we are saved by Mercy is Taught here Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Many adversaries of the Truth will say that God does not save unbelievers, but in fact what has been just testified to in scripture proves, evidences that He does, for if He did not, there would be no need of His Mercy, and there would never be any believers, for believers are unbelievers saved by God's Mercy ! 3
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #33Eph 2:8
Eph 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Religionists, no matter what, believe that Salvation is of themselves. However, that Faith is not of man that believeth, but by the Grace and Power of God, can not be more plainer than here written in Rom 11:18-20
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
The standing by Faith is not anything we do, so it excludes boasting, as something man does as a condition to get saved ! Faith is part of the grafting in procedure that God does. Yes Vs 18 above excludes boasting for faith as well as Eph 2:9
The only way one can stand by faith is by God's Ability, not by the flesh. The word stand in Vs 20 is the greek word histēmi:
to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
So they were caused or made to stand by Faith !
The same word is used here Rom 14:4
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
God is able and does enable according to His Purpose, those He so desires to stand by Faith as in Rom 11:20
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
That should humble us, but it doesn't, because religionists erroneously believe the faith they stand by is of themselves, which makes them boasters ! 3
Eph 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Religionists, no matter what, believe that Salvation is of themselves. However, that Faith is not of man that believeth, but by the Grace and Power of God, can not be more plainer than here written in Rom 11:18-20
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
The standing by Faith is not anything we do, so it excludes boasting, as something man does as a condition to get saved ! Faith is part of the grafting in procedure that God does. Yes Vs 18 above excludes boasting for faith as well as Eph 2:9
The only way one can stand by faith is by God's Ability, not by the flesh. The word stand in Vs 20 is the greek word histēmi:
to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
So they were caused or made to stand by Faith !
The same word is used here Rom 14:4
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
God is able and does enable according to His Purpose, those He so desires to stand by Faith as in Rom 11:20
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
That should humble us, but it doesn't, because religionists erroneously believe the faith they stand by is of themselves, which makes them boasters ! 3
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #34Jn 17:19-20 He Prays for Faith !
Jn 17:19-20
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Even though many do not realize it here, but Jesus is praying that all for whom He died, which is the meaning of sanctifying Himself here, He prays, is praying for them to receive the Gift of Faith, and this petition of Christ is the primary reason all for whom He died shall be Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth unto the Belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Folks it is impossible for anyone that Christ died for, whom He sanctified Himself for Jn 17:19-20, for them not to by the Work of the Spirit, believe the Truth of the word of Truth, if so, then His petition here in Jn 17:19-20 as well as His Death were of no avail. However His Death does ensure that all for whom He died has true Light communicated unto them Jn 1:9
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man[Whom He died for] that cometh into the world.
The word lighteth here is the greek word phōtizō and means:
) to give light, to shine
2) to enlighten, light up, illumine
3) to bring to light, render evident
a) to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
4) to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge
a) to instruct, to inform, teach
b) to give understanding to
This is also what Paul means here 2 Cor 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Thats the True Light of Jn 1:9 that gives the Knowledge of Christ through the Gospel, a Saving Knowledge which Faith is an component of !
Jn 17:19-20
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Even though many do not realize it here, but Jesus is praying that all for whom He died, which is the meaning of sanctifying Himself here, He prays, is praying for them to receive the Gift of Faith, and this petition of Christ is the primary reason all for whom He died shall be Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth unto the Belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Folks it is impossible for anyone that Christ died for, whom He sanctified Himself for Jn 17:19-20, for them not to by the Work of the Spirit, believe the Truth of the word of Truth, if so, then His petition here in Jn 17:19-20 as well as His Death were of no avail. However His Death does ensure that all for whom He died has true Light communicated unto them Jn 1:9
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man[Whom He died for] that cometh into the world.
The word lighteth here is the greek word phōtizō and means:
) to give light, to shine
2) to enlighten, light up, illumine
3) to bring to light, render evident
a) to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
4) to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge
a) to instruct, to inform, teach
b) to give understanding to
This is also what Paul means here 2 Cor 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Thats the True Light of Jn 1:9 that gives the Knowledge of Christ through the Gospel, a Saving Knowledge which Faith is an component of !
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APAK
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #35Hey BF, you might remember me from the other site that thought I became too forward and truthful with the leadership there and let me go last week, abruptly...it was another time and another part of my life then...it actually stunned me that I had to leave so abruptly after 7 years...Brightfame52 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 11, 2025 5:50 am Jn 17:19-20 He Prays for Faith !
Jn 17:19-20
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Even though many do not realize it here, but Jesus is praying that all for whom He died, which is the meaning of sanctifying Himself here, He prays, is praying for them to receive the Gift of Faith, and this petition of Christ is the primary reason all for whom He died shall be Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth unto the Belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Folks it is impossible for anyone that Christ died for, whom He sanctified Himself for Jn 17:19-20, for them not to by the Work of the Spirit, believe the Truth of the word of Truth, if so, then His petition here in Jn 17:19-20 as well as His Death were of no avail. However His Death does ensure that all for whom He died has true Light communicated unto them Jn 1:9
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man[Whom He died for] that cometh into the world.
The word lighteth here is the greek word phōtizō and means:
) to give light, to shine
2) to enlighten, light up, illumine
3) to bring to light, render evident
a) to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
4) to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge
a) to instruct, to inform, teach
b) to give understanding to
This is also what Paul means here 2 Cor 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Thats the True Light of Jn 1:9 that gives the Knowledge of Christ through the Gospel, a Saving Knowledge which Faith is an component of !
// to the thread then...
I like your explanation of the glorious truth, and the true light that causes our saving faith to salvation as the gift of God, in several of your posts. Well thought out and logical.
Well if you knew me over at that other place as an outspoken Biblical Unitarian, then you might know I just have to add in my 2 cents here, with your great connection to John 1.
The true light that causes us not to be ignorant in the darkness anymore, that gives us the knowledge of Jesus the Christ into our hearts is the one and only logos or expression of God himself. It is God's divine quality or core attribute expressing himself to us using his Spirit as its instrument of travel and power.
(Joh 1:4) In it was life, and that life was the light of men.
(Joh 1:5) This light shines in the darkness, but the darkness cannot understand it.
(Joh 1:6) It happened that a man of God was sent. His name was John.
(Joh 1:7) This one came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe in the light.
(Joh 1:8) John was not the light, but was sent that he might testify concerning the light-
(Joh 1:9) the true light, who by coming into the world enlightens every man.
Just saying this above statement alone, today, say to you, on that other site you might still frequent, would have me walking out the door again..today..
Great job...and Blessings to you..APAK
"it's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled"
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #36Jn 17:19-20 He Prays for Faith ! 2
A quick recap, the Lord Jesus Christ in Jn 17:19-20 in His Petition statement that by His sanctifying Himself [by death] that they whom He is dying for may as a result be Sanctified through the Truth See Vs 17 too ! In this statement Jesus is petitioning their Faith and belief of the Truth. There basically is no difference in their being Sanctified through the Truth or being Sanctified by Faith Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Yes, this here is the effect of what Jesus requested in Jn 17:19-20 !
Its the Spirit that accomplishes this work on behalf of Christ's death and its accomplishment, for He is sent into the world Christ died for by the Father and through Christ, and to them He is a Spirit of Truth that the world at large cannot receive Jn 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
That being the world that Christ did not pray for Jn 17:9 and so did not die for ! But for that World he died for and prayed for He is sent as the Spirit of Truth Jn 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you [The Church, His Body] into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He to them brings the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Notice here, the Spirit of Faith precedes believing what is written. The Gospel is composed of things that had been written as in scripture See 1 Cor 15:3-4 !
So thats why a Sanctification of the Spirit is necessary and given to the Elect, those Christ died for, unto the Belief or Faith in the Truth 2 Thess 2:13-14
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If one is not experimentally Set apart by the Spirit, producing in them the fruit of Faith Gal 5:22, they will never in a savingly way believe the Gospel Truth ! But all whom Christ sanctified Himself in behalf shall believe it ! Jn 18:37
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jn 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.3
A quick recap, the Lord Jesus Christ in Jn 17:19-20 in His Petition statement that by His sanctifying Himself [by death] that they whom He is dying for may as a result be Sanctified through the Truth See Vs 17 too ! In this statement Jesus is petitioning their Faith and belief of the Truth. There basically is no difference in their being Sanctified through the Truth or being Sanctified by Faith Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Yes, this here is the effect of what Jesus requested in Jn 17:19-20 !
Its the Spirit that accomplishes this work on behalf of Christ's death and its accomplishment, for He is sent into the world Christ died for by the Father and through Christ, and to them He is a Spirit of Truth that the world at large cannot receive Jn 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
That being the world that Christ did not pray for Jn 17:9 and so did not die for ! But for that World he died for and prayed for He is sent as the Spirit of Truth Jn 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you [The Church, His Body] into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He to them brings the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Notice here, the Spirit of Faith precedes believing what is written. The Gospel is composed of things that had been written as in scripture See 1 Cor 15:3-4 !
So thats why a Sanctification of the Spirit is necessary and given to the Elect, those Christ died for, unto the Belief or Faith in the Truth 2 Thess 2:13-14
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If one is not experimentally Set apart by the Spirit, producing in them the fruit of Faith Gal 5:22, they will never in a savingly way believe the Gospel Truth ! But all whom Christ sanctified Himself in behalf shall believe it ! Jn 18:37
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jn 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.3
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #37Chosen to Believe the Truth !
All those who have been Chosen to Salvation from the beginning, they have also been Chosen to Faith or Belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Therefore all them Whom God Chosen in Christ before the foundation Eph 1:4 shall be given Faith to believe the Truth, no ifs buts, or maybes about it, its sure ! This is an indictment against any and all who teach that no one is Chosen to Believe the Truth in Fact thats why its called the Faith of God's Elect Titus 1:1, for Faith and Election go hand and hand ! 3
All those who have been Chosen to Salvation from the beginning, they have also been Chosen to Faith or Belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Therefore all them Whom God Chosen in Christ before the foundation Eph 1:4 shall be given Faith to believe the Truth, no ifs buts, or maybes about it, its sure ! This is an indictment against any and all who teach that no one is Chosen to Believe the Truth in Fact thats why its called the Faith of God's Elect Titus 1:1, for Faith and Election go hand and hand ! 3
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APAK
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #38Well this faith in this particular one unique God brings salvation and immortality. Other types of faith does nothing for one's health and well-being...Perspectivo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:03 amGreetings StewardofthemysteryStewardofthemystery wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 11:18 am We know “Gods grace”, or “Gods favor” is a gift, but what about faith?
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Faith is also shown as a gift from God…
Romans 12:6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
1 Corinthians 12:7-9
King James Version
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”
So truly a man can receive nothing except it be given to him from heaven-John 3:27
Peace
If faith is a gift from God, to believe in Him, then who gave the gift of faith to believe in different gods?
"it's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled"
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #39[Replying to Perspectivo in post #27]
First, faith is a gift.
Regarding what God to have faith in, that is the next level of analysis. And my answer goes against most of Christendom. Test and evidence.
No other religion believes in a god who resurrected his Anointed.
First, faith is a gift.
Regarding what God to have faith in, that is the next level of analysis. And my answer goes against most of Christendom. Test and evidence.
No other religion believes in a god who resurrected his Anointed.
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #40Before we can believe the Gospel !
1 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Before any person can savingly believe the Glorious Gospel of God, he or she must first be rescued or delivered out of the power of satan and his darkness, which blinds the minds of them which believe not.
Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Col 1:13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Thats deliverance from unbelief, being delivered from the power of darkness !
The word darkness is the greek word skotos:
darkness
a) of night darkness
b) of darkened eyesight or blindness
2) metaph.
a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway
Its this blindness one must be delivered from, blinded by satan, the god of this world 2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
We must be delivered from that blindness of mind before we can believe the Glorious Gospel.
Now either God delivered us or we delivered ourselves. If we say we believed before we were saved and in order to get saved, then we believe we saved ourselves out of the power of darkness and bondage of satan !
1 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Before any person can savingly believe the Glorious Gospel of God, he or she must first be rescued or delivered out of the power of satan and his darkness, which blinds the minds of them which believe not.
Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Col 1:13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Thats deliverance from unbelief, being delivered from the power of darkness !
The word darkness is the greek word skotos:
darkness
a) of night darkness
b) of darkened eyesight or blindness
2) metaph.
a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway
Its this blindness one must be delivered from, blinded by satan, the god of this world 2 Cor 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
We must be delivered from that blindness of mind before we can believe the Glorious Gospel.
Now either God delivered us or we delivered ourselves. If we say we believed before we were saved and in order to get saved, then we believe we saved ourselves out of the power of darkness and bondage of satan !
