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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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #41Precious Faith
2 Pet 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
The religionist are always boasting about their faith, as if precious Faith is that which man contributes as an act of theirs to secure their salvation, for that is such pride and boastful arrogance. The word describing faith here is precious, its the greek word isotimos which means:
equally precious
2) equally honoured, to be esteemed equal to
Its made up of Two root words isos:
equal, in quantity or quality
and timē:
valuing by which the price is fixed
a) of the price itself
b) of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold
2) honour which belongs or is shown to one
a) of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds
The emphasis is on the value of the Faith and the like privilege of the Faith
It can also read:
From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.
b) deference, reverence
Notice that precious is an adjective describing faith, and to be sure there is nothing precious or of value in the flesh of man, the natural man. Jesus says Jn 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Rom 3:12
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable or good for nothing; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Now does man , who in the flesh, as pertaining to godward things, is good for nothing, does that sound like precious Faith, which believes on Christ, comes from the flesh ? God forbid, thats Blasphemy.
The Truth be told is this, Precious Faith can never, not in a trillion years, be found in one who is flesh, dead in trespasses and sins, what can possible be Precious about such a one or in such a one ? Matt 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Jess said this to perhaps the most moral and religious people of His Day. He once said of them from a human moral perspective Matt 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Their lives outwardly and unto men appeared as beautiful outward, thats what successful religion does, it impresses men naturally !
But none of that foolishness impresses God, and none of it is precious in His Sight, or of any Value, and whatever type faith comes of it, is no more than that of a devil !3
2 Pet 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
The religionist are always boasting about their faith, as if precious Faith is that which man contributes as an act of theirs to secure their salvation, for that is such pride and boastful arrogance. The word describing faith here is precious, its the greek word isotimos which means:
equally precious
2) equally honoured, to be esteemed equal to
Its made up of Two root words isos:
equal, in quantity or quality
and timē:
valuing by which the price is fixed
a) of the price itself
b) of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold
2) honour which belongs or is shown to one
a) of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds
The emphasis is on the value of the Faith and the like privilege of the Faith
It can also read:
From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.
b) deference, reverence
Notice that precious is an adjective describing faith, and to be sure there is nothing precious or of value in the flesh of man, the natural man. Jesus says Jn 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Rom 3:12
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable or good for nothing; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Now does man , who in the flesh, as pertaining to godward things, is good for nothing, does that sound like precious Faith, which believes on Christ, comes from the flesh ? God forbid, thats Blasphemy.
The Truth be told is this, Precious Faith can never, not in a trillion years, be found in one who is flesh, dead in trespasses and sins, what can possible be Precious about such a one or in such a one ? Matt 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Jess said this to perhaps the most moral and religious people of His Day. He once said of them from a human moral perspective Matt 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Their lives outwardly and unto men appeared as beautiful outward, thats what successful religion does, it impresses men naturally !
But none of that foolishness impresses God, and none of it is precious in His Sight, or of any Value, and whatever type faith comes of it, is no more than that of a devil !3
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #42Precious Faith 2
Therefore, Precious Faith that has to do with Salvation, with Faith in the Messiah, its obtained or received by being a allotted Gift of God, and that only to His Elect !
The CJB:
To: Those who, through the righteousness of our God and of our Deliverer Yeshua the Messiah, have been given the same kind of trust as ours:
The ERV:
Greetings from Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.
To all of you who share in the same valuable faith that we have. This faith was given to us because our God and Savior Jesus Christ always does what is good and right.
The GNT:
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours:
Its an Gift of God Eph 2:8; Titus 1:1-2; The word obtained in 2 Pet 1:11 is lagchano:
obtain (receive) by lot, my lot (turn) is, (b) I draw lots.
to receive by divine allotment
Now lets understand what an allotment is. The word is not in scripture, but the word lot is See Ps 16:5.
The english word means:
to assign as a portion,the part of an estate that goes to an heir or a next of kin,to furnish with a portion, as with an inheritance or a dowry
Precious Believing Faith is an portion of an assigned Inheritance.
A Family Inheritance, and it that sense its a Gift Bestowed on the Heirs of that Inheritance.
Now what this means is that Faith is an alloted Gift, a portion of an Inheritance, to all the Heirs of Promise Gal 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. or
Children of Promise Rom 9:8
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
And all the Heirs or Seed obtain by allotment Precious Faith through the Righteousness of their God Man Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet 1:1 3
Therefore, Precious Faith that has to do with Salvation, with Faith in the Messiah, its obtained or received by being a allotted Gift of God, and that only to His Elect !
The CJB:
To: Those who, through the righteousness of our God and of our Deliverer Yeshua the Messiah, have been given the same kind of trust as ours:
The ERV:
Greetings from Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.
To all of you who share in the same valuable faith that we have. This faith was given to us because our God and Savior Jesus Christ always does what is good and right.
The GNT:
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours:
Its an Gift of God Eph 2:8; Titus 1:1-2; The word obtained in 2 Pet 1:11 is lagchano:
obtain (receive) by lot, my lot (turn) is, (b) I draw lots.
to receive by divine allotment
Now lets understand what an allotment is. The word is not in scripture, but the word lot is See Ps 16:5.
The english word means:
to assign as a portion,the part of an estate that goes to an heir or a next of kin,to furnish with a portion, as with an inheritance or a dowry
Precious Believing Faith is an portion of an assigned Inheritance.
A Family Inheritance, and it that sense its a Gift Bestowed on the Heirs of that Inheritance.
Now what this means is that Faith is an alloted Gift, a portion of an Inheritance, to all the Heirs of Promise Gal 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. or
Children of Promise Rom 9:8
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
And all the Heirs or Seed obtain by allotment Precious Faith through the Righteousness of their God Man Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet 1:1 3
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #43Faith to Believe in Christ is the Fruit of the Spirit !
Gal 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The Spirit is the Fruit of Christ's Death Jn 12:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Most religionist in their desire to boast, reject the Truth that Faith to believe in Christ for Salvation, that its the fruit, the operation of the Spirit in one for whom Christ died Phil 1:29; 2:13 and it is not a natural mans response to the Gospel or some offer !
For it takes this fruit of Faith given by the Spirit, or it can be called the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor 4:13
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;
13 The Tanakh says, “I trusted, therefore I spoke.” Since we have that same Spirit who enables us to trust, we also trust and therefore speak;
The Same Spirit that produced Faith in the OT Saints does also in the NT Saints in accordance with what is written in the scripture !
The Spirit gives persuasion and reality to the Divine Testimony or Report, which causes such Testimony to have a deep impression on the renewed mind [for you cannot put New Wine into Old Bottles] receiving the Testimony of God.
When it comes to Salvation, the Gospel is God's testimony to one who has been saved by His Son's Blood 1 Thess 2:13
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Believing the Gospel of Salvation also has an element of entrusting or committing oneself in Gospel Obedience which the natural man of the flesh cannot do Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God
Now understand something about the law of God in Vs7. This word is not restricted to the mosaic law, but its meaning is much broader, for instance its defined as nomos:
usage, custom, law; in NT: of law in general, plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling to action; of the Mosaic law; meton: of the books which contain the law, the Pentateuch, the Old Testament scriptures in general.
any system of religious thinking (theology), especially when nomos occurs without the Greek definite article.
Notice, the Old Testament scriptures in General is considered Law, and the Gospel is Preached from the Old Testament Scriptures according to Paul 1 Cor 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
During Paul's time only the OT Scriptures had been completed.
So to Believe Savingly into what the Scriptures reveal, would have been impossible for those yet in the flesh and carnal ! Only God given Faith by God the Spirit, the fruit of New Birth can and does cause one to Believe ! 4
Gal 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The Spirit is the Fruit of Christ's Death Jn 12:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Most religionist in their desire to boast, reject the Truth that Faith to believe in Christ for Salvation, that its the fruit, the operation of the Spirit in one for whom Christ died Phil 1:29; 2:13 and it is not a natural mans response to the Gospel or some offer !
For it takes this fruit of Faith given by the Spirit, or it can be called the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor 4:13
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;
13 The Tanakh says, “I trusted, therefore I spoke.” Since we have that same Spirit who enables us to trust, we also trust and therefore speak;
The Same Spirit that produced Faith in the OT Saints does also in the NT Saints in accordance with what is written in the scripture !
The Spirit gives persuasion and reality to the Divine Testimony or Report, which causes such Testimony to have a deep impression on the renewed mind [for you cannot put New Wine into Old Bottles] receiving the Testimony of God.
When it comes to Salvation, the Gospel is God's testimony to one who has been saved by His Son's Blood 1 Thess 2:13
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Believing the Gospel of Salvation also has an element of entrusting or committing oneself in Gospel Obedience which the natural man of the flesh cannot do Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God
Now understand something about the law of God in Vs7. This word is not restricted to the mosaic law, but its meaning is much broader, for instance its defined as nomos:
usage, custom, law; in NT: of law in general, plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling to action; of the Mosaic law; meton: of the books which contain the law, the Pentateuch, the Old Testament scriptures in general.
any system of religious thinking (theology), especially when nomos occurs without the Greek definite article.
Notice, the Old Testament scriptures in General is considered Law, and the Gospel is Preached from the Old Testament Scriptures according to Paul 1 Cor 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
During Paul's time only the OT Scriptures had been completed.
So to Believe Savingly into what the Scriptures reveal, would have been impossible for those yet in the flesh and carnal ! Only God given Faith by God the Spirit, the fruit of New Birth can and does cause one to Believe ! 4
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #44Heb 11:1 is Not Natural Human Faith !
Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This Faith is not that which is of the human nature, the natural man, or of the flesh. This is True because its gives evidence of things not seen by the natural eye, and the natural man is not capacitated to walk outside of its realm of creation, which is natural and things that are seen, for which reason Paul can say only to the regenerate or born again, We walk by Faith and not by Sight 2 Cor 5:5-7
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight )
To begin a Walk by Faith we must first have been Given the Spirit.
The natural man can no more have this Faith [ Heb 11:1] in God as can a elephant ! Man by nature are as beasts. You can preach the Gospel of God to an elephant all day long, and it will never be able to believe it, so it is with the natural man, not born of the Spirit. Man before a miraculous New Birth is only natural 1 Cor 15:46
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
That's why it is written, 1 Jn 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
In the original it would read " whosoever is believing that Jesus is the Christ, has been born of God !
In other words, the believing in the Christos is an evidence of having been born of God. For its not until one is born again that we can believe things not discerned by human reason or sense 1 Cor 2:13-15
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Note: Paul is speaking of the Gospel as the things he speaks !
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
This is key, notice, he that is spiritual [born f the Spirit] Judgeth all things, that is Doctrines of the Gospel.
The judging here is not natural matters, but spiritual matters, Spiritual Gospel Truths, Spiritual realties of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, Christ Crucified as stipulated in Vs 2 of the same passage 1 Cor 2:2
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And Natural Human Faith cannot understand the Truths regarding this, but only a God Given Faith such as described in Heb 11:1,6 ! 4
Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This Faith is not that which is of the human nature, the natural man, or of the flesh. This is True because its gives evidence of things not seen by the natural eye, and the natural man is not capacitated to walk outside of its realm of creation, which is natural and things that are seen, for which reason Paul can say only to the regenerate or born again, We walk by Faith and not by Sight 2 Cor 5:5-7
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight )
To begin a Walk by Faith we must first have been Given the Spirit.
The natural man can no more have this Faith [ Heb 11:1] in God as can a elephant ! Man by nature are as beasts. You can preach the Gospel of God to an elephant all day long, and it will never be able to believe it, so it is with the natural man, not born of the Spirit. Man before a miraculous New Birth is only natural 1 Cor 15:46
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
That's why it is written, 1 Jn 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
In the original it would read " whosoever is believing that Jesus is the Christ, has been born of God !
In other words, the believing in the Christos is an evidence of having been born of God. For its not until one is born again that we can believe things not discerned by human reason or sense 1 Cor 2:13-15
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Note: Paul is speaking of the Gospel as the things he speaks !
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
This is key, notice, he that is spiritual [born f the Spirit] Judgeth all things, that is Doctrines of the Gospel.
The judging here is not natural matters, but spiritual matters, Spiritual Gospel Truths, Spiritual realties of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, Christ Crucified as stipulated in Vs 2 of the same passage 1 Cor 2:2
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And Natural Human Faith cannot understand the Truths regarding this, but only a God Given Faith such as described in Heb 11:1,6 ! 4
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #45We believed because ordained to Eternal Life !
Acts 13:48
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).
48 This message made the Gentiles glad, and they praised what they had heard about the Lord. Everyone who had been chosen for eternal life then put their faith in the Lord.
The False teachers of our day would pervert this text and have it mean, as many as did believe were ordained to Eternal Life, but that is called wresting scripture, which all who do such, shall shortly give in account in the day of Judgment.
Believing because of having been ordained to eternal life is of the same Truth s that of being ordained to walk in good works Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. AMP
For Believing is merely one of many of those Good Works God ordained the Chosen in Christ [Eph 1:4] to walk in . To walk in Faith as their Father Abraham Rom 4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Because they were Abraham's Seed Gal 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Hence they are the Elect to Faith Obedience through Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience [of faith] and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
And that this Obedience is Faith or belief of the Truth is confirmed in Paul's similar comment here 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:
Its the obedience of Faith that the Spirit causes in them Rom 16:26
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Yes, that's the Blessing of Abraham Gen 17:5
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
So those believing in Jn 3:16 are exactly those ordained to Eternal Life Acts 13:48, who had been ordained to walk in Good Works like their Father Abraham Jn 8:39
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Believing is a Work, and a Good Work. Who can deny that Abraham's Works consisted mostly in evidences of His Faith or Believing God ?
Believing is a work, a act of the Mind or Heart, an obedience, however in this case its the act of the Newly Created man or woman Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Yes, we must First be Created unto the Good Work of Faith or Believing, then we can walk in the Faith of our Father Abraham ! 4
Acts 13:48
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).
48 This message made the Gentiles glad, and they praised what they had heard about the Lord. Everyone who had been chosen for eternal life then put their faith in the Lord.
The False teachers of our day would pervert this text and have it mean, as many as did believe were ordained to Eternal Life, but that is called wresting scripture, which all who do such, shall shortly give in account in the day of Judgment.
Believing because of having been ordained to eternal life is of the same Truth s that of being ordained to walk in good works Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. AMP
For Believing is merely one of many of those Good Works God ordained the Chosen in Christ [Eph 1:4] to walk in . To walk in Faith as their Father Abraham Rom 4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Because they were Abraham's Seed Gal 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Hence they are the Elect to Faith Obedience through Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience [of faith] and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
And that this Obedience is Faith or belief of the Truth is confirmed in Paul's similar comment here 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:
Its the obedience of Faith that the Spirit causes in them Rom 16:26
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Yes, that's the Blessing of Abraham Gen 17:5
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
So those believing in Jn 3:16 are exactly those ordained to Eternal Life Acts 13:48, who had been ordained to walk in Good Works like their Father Abraham Jn 8:39
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Believing is a Work, and a Good Work. Who can deny that Abraham's Works consisted mostly in evidences of His Faith or Believing God ?
Believing is a work, a act of the Mind or Heart, an obedience, however in this case its the act of the Newly Created man or woman Eph 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Yes, we must First be Created unto the Good Work of Faith or Believing, then we can walk in the Faith of our Father Abraham ! 4
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #46The Natural Man cannot believe in Christ !
How can the Natural man, he that has never been born again of the Spirit of God, how can such a one believe into Christ, resulting from an Gospel Command 1 Jn 3:23
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
For scripture states plainly of the Natural Man Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law / Command of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Does Believing on Christ Please God ? Yes, Look at 1 Jn 3:22
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep[give heed to] his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Now how can anyone born only of the flesh, meaning by natural childbirth alone, Jn 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
How can such a one have a mind set on anything other than things of the flesh ? The Mindset is only consistent with what we are by nature. The Mindset of an Gorilla can only be that of an Gorilla and not a Sparrow, Two different natures ! If we are of the Flesh, the mind set is set on things of the Flesh,which mindset Paul says is enmity against God, and so enmity against Christ !! and thats just the way it is,so the remedy Jesus states Jn 3:6-7
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Even the mindset man had in the beginning, in Adam, it was enmity against God, evidenced when tempted by the serpent !
How can the Natural man, he that has never been born again of the Spirit of God, how can such a one believe into Christ, resulting from an Gospel Command 1 Jn 3:23
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
For scripture states plainly of the Natural Man Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law / Command of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Does Believing on Christ Please God ? Yes, Look at 1 Jn 3:22
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep[give heed to] his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Now how can anyone born only of the flesh, meaning by natural childbirth alone, Jn 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
How can such a one have a mind set on anything other than things of the flesh ? The Mindset is only consistent with what we are by nature. The Mindset of an Gorilla can only be that of an Gorilla and not a Sparrow, Two different natures ! If we are of the Flesh, the mind set is set on things of the Flesh,which mindset Paul says is enmity against God, and so enmity against Christ !! and thats just the way it is,so the remedy Jesus states Jn 3:6-7
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Even the mindset man had in the beginning, in Adam, it was enmity against God, evidenced when tempted by the serpent !
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #47Faith and Repentance !
Faith in Christ and Repentance towards God Acts 20:21
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith in Christ and Repentance toward God are acts from those who have a much superior quality of life given them than the life they had from adam, or out of the flesh. They are acts indicative of having Spiritual Life from Christ communicated to them by His Spirit.
Its only an Holy Life that can respond to a Holy Calling 2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
With a Holy Faith Jude 1:20
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Such would require a True Holy Man already Created Eph 4:24
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
That's the man who responds in Faith to the Holy Calling 2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 4
Faith in Christ and Repentance towards God Acts 20:21
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith in Christ and Repentance toward God are acts from those who have a much superior quality of life given them than the life they had from adam, or out of the flesh. They are acts indicative of having Spiritual Life from Christ communicated to them by His Spirit.
Its only an Holy Life that can respond to a Holy Calling 2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
With a Holy Faith Jude 1:20
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Such would require a True Holy Man already Created Eph 4:24
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
That's the man who responds in Faith to the Holy Calling 2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 4
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #48Faith in Jesus Christ and Repentance toward God are blessings of the Everlasting Covenant or at times termed The Covenant of Grace, or The New Covenant, which is ordered in all things which pertain to Salvation, which the saintly David acknowledged 2 Sam 23:5
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
That word ordered is the Hebrew word `arak and means:
to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain,
The Triune Covenant God has provided in it [Everlasting Covenant] all that is needed and required for full Salvation to be experienced by all the Elect, from Time to Eternity, which does include believing on Christ Phil 1:29
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
This could very well and truthfully read "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ to believe on him ".
When ungodly men teach that Faith in Christ is an condition performed by men to secure their Salvation, they corrupt the Covenant, and Pervert its Blessedness.
That both Faith and Repentance are blessings of the New or Everlasting Covenant is pointed out in these words Ezk 36:26-27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Its then we are made meet to obey the Gospel ordinances [ a decree or command] Gospel Commands of God Acts 17:30
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now [God] commandeth all men every where to repent:
1 Jn 3:23
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Acts 16:31
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Believe here is an Gospel imperative, a command ! If this Gospel Imperative is obeyed its because of this Ezk 36:26-27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 4
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
That word ordered is the Hebrew word `arak and means:
to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain,
The Triune Covenant God has provided in it [Everlasting Covenant] all that is needed and required for full Salvation to be experienced by all the Elect, from Time to Eternity, which does include believing on Christ Phil 1:29
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
This could very well and truthfully read "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ to believe on him ".
When ungodly men teach that Faith in Christ is an condition performed by men to secure their Salvation, they corrupt the Covenant, and Pervert its Blessedness.
That both Faith and Repentance are blessings of the New or Everlasting Covenant is pointed out in these words Ezk 36:26-27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Its then we are made meet to obey the Gospel ordinances [ a decree or command] Gospel Commands of God Acts 17:30
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now [God] commandeth all men every where to repent:
1 Jn 3:23
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Acts 16:31
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Believe here is an Gospel imperative, a command ! If this Gospel Imperative is obeyed its because of this Ezk 36:26-27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 4
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #49Before a person can believe in Christ !
Before a person can believe in Christ unto salvation, a new creature he or she must be ! By being a New Creation, we are given by the Spirit both light and Life, by which we receive New Spiritual faculties appropriate to receive Spiritual and Divine Truths. That's why Jesus said that he with good ground received the word and understandeth it Matt 13:23
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
That's because the New Spiritual faculties of the New Creation.
It is then also we are given spiritual eyes to see Jesus Jn 6:40
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Heb 2:9
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
But we see Jesus,.... Not with bodily eyes, but with the eyes of the mind, and understanding; that he is Jesus, as the Syriac version reads; and that he is designed in the above words; and that he has all things made subject unto him; and that he was humbled, and now exalted, as follows: JG
It is then we receive spiritual ears to hear the glad tidings of the Gospel of our Salvation Eph 1:13 We need to be of God to hear God's words as such is the Gospel Jn 8:47
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
We cannot be of God without having God's Life in Us by His Spirit ! We are given a spiritual palate to begin to hunger and thirst for the things of God Matt 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Yes, even the word of righteousness Heb 5:13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Without these things from a New Life, and are remaining natural and in the flesh, then we are war and enmity with Christ and the hings of God Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Cor 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. AMP
Before a person can believe in Christ unto salvation, a new creature he or she must be ! By being a New Creation, we are given by the Spirit both light and Life, by which we receive New Spiritual faculties appropriate to receive Spiritual and Divine Truths. That's why Jesus said that he with good ground received the word and understandeth it Matt 13:23
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
That's because the New Spiritual faculties of the New Creation.
It is then also we are given spiritual eyes to see Jesus Jn 6:40
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Heb 2:9
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
But we see Jesus,.... Not with bodily eyes, but with the eyes of the mind, and understanding; that he is Jesus, as the Syriac version reads; and that he is designed in the above words; and that he has all things made subject unto him; and that he was humbled, and now exalted, as follows: JG
It is then we receive spiritual ears to hear the glad tidings of the Gospel of our Salvation Eph 1:13 We need to be of God to hear God's words as such is the Gospel Jn 8:47
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
We cannot be of God without having God's Life in Us by His Spirit ! We are given a spiritual palate to begin to hunger and thirst for the things of God Matt 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Yes, even the word of righteousness Heb 5:13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Without these things from a New Life, and are remaining natural and in the flesh, then we are war and enmity with Christ and the hings of God Rom 8:7-8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Cor 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. AMP
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Brightfame52
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Re: Faith is a gift from God
Post #50Ordained to Eternal Life to believe !
Those who believe the Truth of God, the Gospel when sent to them in the providence of God, its because they were or had been ordained to Eternal Life. Acts 13:48
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).AMP
48 This message made the Gentiles glad, and they praised what they had heard about the Lord. Everyone who had been chosen for eternal life then put their faith in the Lord.CEV
The word chosen is appropriate in that its meaning is one selected or appointed or chosen for an office. All whom Christ died for had been chosen for an spiritual priesthood. Christ by His Blood converts those He died for into a royal priesthood. Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Heb 7:5
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
1 Pet 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Being chosen to this royal priesthood we were ordained to Eternal Life and to believe.
Each chosen member of this priesthood, being such they are beforehand prepared by the Holy Spirit, which is also called by Paul 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:
Those who were prearranged to Eternal Life in the Eternal Counsels of God, are in time set apart by a work of the Holy Spirit, to believe the Truth of the Gospel ! 4
Those who believe the Truth of God, the Gospel when sent to them in the providence of God, its because they were or had been ordained to Eternal Life. Acts 13:48
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).AMP
48 This message made the Gentiles glad, and they praised what they had heard about the Lord. Everyone who had been chosen for eternal life then put their faith in the Lord.CEV
The word chosen is appropriate in that its meaning is one selected or appointed or chosen for an office. All whom Christ died for had been chosen for an spiritual priesthood. Christ by His Blood converts those He died for into a royal priesthood. Rev 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Heb 7:5
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
1 Pet 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Being chosen to this royal priesthood we were ordained to Eternal Life and to believe.
Each chosen member of this priesthood, being such they are beforehand prepared by the Holy Spirit, which is also called by Paul 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:
Those who were prearranged to Eternal Life in the Eternal Counsels of God, are in time set apart by a work of the Holy Spirit, to believe the Truth of the Gospel ! 4
