Faith for Receiving Salvation

[NetChaplain]

A possible helpful question could be, "Can one truly believe in Christ's earthly life (1Jo 4:3; 2Jo 1:7) and His resurrection (Rom 10:9) and also truly believe this alone is insufficient for salvation?

I believe while we are in an unregenerate state, we can only desire to believe in God (which I believe also comes from Him - John 6:44) because it cannot truly become practical until He imparts faith through His Spirit during regeneration, which of course must be preceded by first being aware of the Gospel essentials for faith (listed above). For it stands to reason that it requires knowing what facts are to be believed in before believing in them can become a practicality.

Once essentials are known and God’s drawing is in effect, He is approached in prayer request for salvation and upon the Spirit entering the seeker's life (if sincere), His fruit (Gal 5:22 - not fruits, it's a singular package which includes faith, different from the ministerial gift of faith - 1 Cor 12:9) begins to take effect, as "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom 8:16).

The Spirit's personal "witness" or confirmation of faith in Christ is continually affirmed in us, without which such a conviction and gradual convincing of faith is not possible. This permanent consoling of the Holy Spirit is where faith not only takes root but grows--but only through Scripture.

I believe it would not be possible for the Spirit of God to be neglectful in allowing the new-born to continually walk in ignorance of Christ's sufficiency. If one truly believes in an error, e.g. that works are also required for receiving salvation, I believe it may evince one of two possibilities; a temporary unawareness of this truth, in which it's just a matter of time before the Spirit reveals it; or there was not a true desire for salvation upon request (James 4:3), thus the absence of the Spirit.

 

[spirit1st]

GOd puts Faith in every person so they can have salvation !
Without Faith ? There is no hope for salvation !

Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.


Faith can grow or die ?

2Th_3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

2Co_10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

 

[james1523]

Before faith comes facts, and before facts comes experience of God. Believing in facts without the experience is religion. The Pharisees knew the facts but had no experience of God's Person.

Now let us consider what is faith. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

So as Heb 11:1 says, faith consists of substance and evidence. If there is no evidence of God, there is no faith.

Now Abraham and Moses and others were not regenerated, they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit... if faith depended upon these things, how could they have faith? how could anyone in the old testament times be saved?
Their faith came by seeing God.
God appeared to Abraham Gen 12:7. Moses had his burning bush experience. I believe it was in these moments that their genuine faith was born.

The thief on the cross met and saw Jesus, and had the faith to believe in Him. Jesus's own disciples had faith because Christ had appeared to them and said to them "follow me". This was all still before Christ's death and resurrection.

Before faith comes, God has to call us, and we have to have the experience of meeting God.

This is putting our faith in God. Now Paul says something quite interesting. He talks about the "faith of Christ".

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)

The result of our belief in Christ.. is that His faith now justifies us. The faith by which we are saved is not even our own faith, it is Christs. In the Old Testament, *our* faith justified a person,, but in the New Testament, it is Christ's faith by which a person is justified. We then realize that our salvation is not dependent upon our own faith, or capacity to believe, but upon Christ's. This means our salvation is secure as our faith is not our own but something of the Person of Christ within us. Christ is truly our strong and sure foundation and the more we behold His face, the more His faith from His Person strengthens. This is otherwise known as the gift of faith for salvation, because it is not of ourselves. If Christ is truly our righteousness, then Christ must also be our faith. Christ was declared righteous by the Father because of Christ's faith, and Christ's obedience. It is His faith, obedience and righteousness by which we are saved.

Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Heb 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

 

[Boanerges]

God gives everyone a measure of faith (Rom_12:3 ) and He always gives enough to believe.
When Jesus is lifted up He will draw all men to Him (Joh_12:32 ) so lets lift Jesus up; some will come, some will not, we must still sew those fields.

 

[NetChaplain]

God gives everyone a measure of faith (Rom_12:3 ) and He always gives enough to believe.

Hi Boanerges and Sprit1st - That's a good passage for this thread and thanks for presenting it. I believe this "measure of faith" involves the light and conscience concerning the witnessing of creation (Rom 1:20), as all who are born do, which alone is sufficient not only to incur accountability, but also enough to understand the gift faith in the Gospel of Christ, which is given when seeking God.

I believe this "measure of faith" collates with the light of Christ, "which lights every man who comes into the world" (John 1:9), which is the light or understanding of nature and reasoning; which is different than that of saving faith, which many professors of it and the generality of mankind lack (2 Thes 3:2).

 

[Boanerges]

Hi Boanerges and Sprit1st - That's a good passage for this thread and thanks for presenting it. I believe this "measure of faith" involves the light and conscience concerning the witnessing of creation (Rom 1:20), as all who are born do, which alone is sufficient not only to incur accountability, but also enough to understand the gift faith in the Gospel of Christ, which is given when seeking God.

I believe this "measure of faith" collates with the light of Christ, "which lights every man who comes into the world" (John 1:9), which is the light or understanding of nature and reasoning; which is different than that of saving faith, which many professors of it and the generality of mankind lack (2 Thes 3:2).

Amen my friend. So many who willingly do not see what God has openly downplayed for us- His Love. So many who reject Him and choose the way of darkness, not because they cannot believe, but because believing changes everything. Like the seed on the road side they have no root (Mar 4:16 ) and will not bear up to the heat of the day, nor do they want God more than they want the world and its pleasures (Mar 4:19 ) .

 

[spirit1st]

This has always amazed me ? This guy traveled with Paul ! He was called of the LORD , yet never Born -again !

1Jn_2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Jas_2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

2Ti_4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.


Col_4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
2Ti_4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Phm_1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

1Jn_2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.


Mat_22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
churches are full of the called ! But few are the Elect ! [Born again]

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.


Those three things , i Believe are Required of the LORD!
For Salvation !

 

[DHC]

Colossians 1
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you
before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away
from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven,
and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

 

[NetChaplain]

This guy traveled with Paul

Who are you referring to?

 

[spirit1st]

2Ti_4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

 

[NetChaplain]

2Ti_4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

If you desire to have the proper concept about Demus in this passage I recommend viewing John Gill's comment.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - 2 Timothy 4

 

[spirit1st]

Thank You , But i hardly read anything but the bible ! And I count on the Holy Ghost too give me the correct understanding !
God gave Each of us a Part of His very being for the correct understanding and to reveal the things we need to know in this life and the spiritual !

Lots of people get upset with me , because i refuse to follow other books or teachers ! But i do not mind ! I believe the Holy ghost has been enough !
1Jn_2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1Co_2:13 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.

I done pretty much Everything My Lord said i would , by just listenoing and following only my Lord JESUS!
Not saying other books can not help us see truth ! But i found they can mess up our thinking at times ?

Joh_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.
Joh_10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:


Just the way i see it ! I have no problem with others doing what they feel is best ?

 

[NetChaplain]

Thank You , But i hardly read anything but the bible ! And I count on the Holy Ghost too give me the correct understanding !

I understand. I was reserved for quite a while until I learned the advantage of a good commentary, along with my Bible study. I discovered that viewing other's belief's continually challenges mine for increased accuracy and strength. The Spirit teaches all believer's, esp. godly Bible commentators.

 

[spirit1st]

WELl when i first became Born -Again i wanted a commentray as everyone said this certain one was so perfect ! I got one looked up two words that could not have the same meaning . But it showed them the same ! I never trying looking up anything again in it ! Listen , There is no one here today that knows the meaning of all the words written 2000 or 4000 years ago ! Only the Spirit of truth knows it all ! And GOD given Him to us to teach us and guide us and reveal all things to us !

I got kicked off a forum once because i would not accept the commentary they counted perfect as correct !
I was banned for 45 days ! after the 45 days i went back and posted the same post all over again ! Then i was accepted ! I stayed on that forum for years , until it closed down ! It was a nice forum i liked very much ! Still hear from some of them from time too time !

Everything i know , i got from the Holy Ghost ! I use E-sword , I think you do too ? God shown me how to find scriptures that are spiritually together on a subject ! Like I type in Milk ! To get the New man ,. I never would have thought of such a thing ! and lots mnore like that !

These are the scriptures i get by typing in milk !
1Co_3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co_9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Heb_5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb_5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
1Pe_2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

My little mind would never of thought i could get those by typing in milk ! But i have no problem with others learning as
they want too ?

Just that I fear not posting truth ! Not that my Father would Ever hurt ME ! But i never want to hurt Him or others by leading them in the wrong way !
I want to preach truth always and never Hurt My LORD JESUS in any way ! Lovingly in our LORD JESUS ! gary

 

[Boanerges]

Thanks brother, that was nice.
I enjoy a good commentary now and then. The authors of most commentaries generally read and wrote Greek and Hebrew the way we would read a newspaper. Brother Gill has a good commentary, I love Adam Clarke's Commentaries on the Bible, Albert Barnes Notes on the bible, and of course Matthew Henry's Commentaries on the Whole Bible. I find looking over these a good mix, and use them as resources when I am stuck on a verse (or a chapter).

 

[Boanerges]

WELl when i first became Born -Again i wanted a commentray as everyone said this certain one was so perfect ! I got one looked up two words that could not have the same meaning . But it showed them the same ! I never trying looking up anything again in it ! Listen , There is no one here today that knows the meaning of all the words written 2000 or 4000 years ago ! Only the Spirit of truth knows it all ! And GOD given Him to us to teach us and guide us and reveal all things to us !

I got kicked off a forum once because i would not accept the commentary they counted perfect as correct !
I was banned for 45 days ! after the 45 days i went back and posted the same post all over again ! Then i was accepted ! I stayed on that forum for years , until it closed down ! It was a nice forum i liked very much ! Still hear from some of them from time too time !

Everything i know , i got from the Holy Ghost ! I use E-sword , I think you do too ? God shown me how to find scriptures that are spiritually together on a subject ! Like I type in Milk ! To get the New man ,. I never would have thought of such a thing ! and lots mnore like that !

These are the scriptures i get by typing in milk !
1Co_3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co_9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Heb_5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb_5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
1Pe_2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

My little mind would never of thought i could get those by typing in milk ! But i have no problem with others learning as
they want too ?

Just that I fear not posting truth ! Not that my Father would Ever hurt ME ! But i never want to hurt Him or others by leading them in the wrong way !
I want to preach truth always and never Hurt My LORD JESUS in any way ! Lovingly in our LORD JESUS ! gary

I use them like any other tool carefully and prayerfully. It is kind of like eating watermelon; you have to spit out a few seeds now and then- LOL. Either way, they are certainly not necessary (although they are useful sometimes) and getting kicked off a forum for not liking one tells me you were on the wrong forum.

 

[james1523]

I done pretty much Everything My Lord said i would , by just listenoing and following only my Lord JESUS!
Not saying other books can not help us see truth ! But i found they can mess up our thinking at times ?

I personally find reading many different commentaries refreshing. Yes our thinking can be messed up, the commentaries can be confusing at times, but I think that is a good thing. The Holy Spirit in our spirit always gives us the proper understanding, even if our mind is in confusion.

2 Tim 1:15 "You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes."

I believe to fall away from the apostle Paul was the same as falling away from Christ and from grace. For this reason I conclude all who turned away from Paul were lost.

 

[NetChaplain]

I got kicked off a forum once because i would not accept the commentary they counted perfect as correct !

I occasionally get banned too, but It's usually because the site Admin/Mod teams are excessively legalistic and were more concerned with what they conceived than those on the site.

 

[NetChaplain]

Yes our thinking can be messed up, the commentaries can be confusing at times, but I think that is a good thing.

I find with commentaries that my concepts can be tested more, because the more you have to compare with, the more you can "test the spirits (doctrines), whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).