Faith... what is it exactly?

[Guest wilburnh]

OSAS discussions seem to be the most prevalent in this forum and without fail, faith is brought up. What is faith to you? What Scriptures do you base this belief on?

Hopefully this will contribute to the other posts.

God bless

Calvin

[Ovedya]

According to the complete revelation of the Scriptures, faith is the element of Christ imparted into the believer the moment they believe into Christ.

[Dad Ernie]

According to the complete revelation of the Scriptures, faith is the element of Christ imparted into the believer the moment they believe into Christ.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings Ovedya,

I disagree with this statement and here is why:

Romans 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.

Jesus often commended or condemned people for their faith. i.e.: "What great faith" or "Ye of little faith". He never said that anyone had NO faith.

In reference to:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This applies to all men. Even Adam had a modicum of faith. Since we are made in the image of God, this is one of the attributes Adam and all his progeny, even us, have at the core of our being.

The important faith though is "trust" in God. All other "faith" is in things, in men, in ourselves, and all subject to influences and consequenes beyond our knowing. God has only our best interest at heart and in Him ALONE can we TRULY trust. But a person MUST believe in Him and His Son to have this kind of faith.

Our faith is dead when we don't believe. Not that it is not there, but it does not respond to God nor His promises. When we become born again, that "faith" is quickened, made alive to God, and this is what is mainly talked about in the scriptures when it speaks of faith". BTW, the word "faith" means "trust" or "what you put in trust with, like make an agreement with or agree with". When we come into the fulness of God and trust Him totally, nothing is impossible for us in His Name.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[tsth]

Faith is belief in Christ to obedience unto salvation. Jesus Christ Saves!

Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Romans 11:23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[GODSCHILD]

FRUIT CALLED FAITH.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this lesson on the fruit aroma of faith i would like to establish What is faith and to whom this faith must be directed.

WE will look at the ellimit of fatihfulness that is manifested from this fruit called faith.

What is faith .

Gods words discribes it in this way.

Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

In other words we must not put our faith into those things that we hope for but we our faith must be directed towards God. He must be the object of our faith.

Lets look at some of the great renoun men of old that had this kind of faith.

1-By faith Abel offered unto God

2-By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death;

3-By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,

4-By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;

5-Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed,

6-By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:

7-By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come

8-By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped

9-By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel;

10-By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,

Folks there are meny more of the testimonies of faith that is recorded in the word for us.

Hbr 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hbr 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Hbr 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

Hbr 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Hbr 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hbr 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Hbr 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

Hbr 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

This aroma of the fruit of faith is our good charactor that is manifisted by the Holy Spirit in our expression towards God.

This fruit of faith will cause us to Worship The Giver (GOD) after we receive that which we ask for in faith beleiving.

Luk 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

Our faith is increased by hearing the word of God.

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Every thing that we do must be in faith are it is sin to us.

Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

2Cr 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The fact that we walk by faith nd not by sight simplu menas that when God says anything we must trustingly rely on HIm whether or not the thing appears that way or not. God calls things that are not as through they were.

Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

So we ca truthfully say that our faith is based on our action and what we beleive the word of God says to us and not what appears to Us.

11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Fatih that is in Christ Jesus must be exhibit in love or it will not manifest it self as faith.

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Will continue next time. Bod bless

YBIC

John

[GODSCHILD]

I think that the shield of faith cannot be emphasized enough personally. Your qoute from the Armour of God Pastor Jim

I agree 100 percent and the Word of God testifies to this truth.amen for With our faith it is imposible to pleace God. Who what a profound statement for The Holy Spirit. With Out Faith

this verse in Hbr. 11:6 is the total summation of the word of God to us. For without faith in Christ Jesus we can not enter into a loving relation with God..

Hbr 11:6 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.

Well on with this part of the study on the fruit of faith. amen..

In John 21:15-17 Jesus has asked Peter a very important question and He is still asking this question down thou the ages. In these three verse He ask this question three times. This is to give to us the importance of hHis question that was asked and He is still asking.

Jesus started out with the first one by asking Peter do you love me more then these. Meaning i beleive those that He was the closest to. The other desiples that was with them on that day. Then He ask the second time PETER DO YOU LOVE ME. And the thired time he ask peter agan PETER DO YOU LOVE ME.

Please give close attention to the very personnel way that Jesus ask this question to Peter. He asked Him by first calling on His personnel name. Simon Peter, then again Simond Peter. Then Jesus address Peter with the most personel way. He Said Simon son of Jonas, this was Jesus way of giving the higest respect to Peter.

Jhn 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Jhn 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jhn 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Ok now lets tie this in to the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The bottem line of this question and what the answer was that Jesus was and is looking for is this . Jesus wanted Peter and as well as we our selfs was this, for Him and us to hold HIM of the greatest importance then enything on earth.

Bottem line as i said earler.WE CAN NOT HAVE FAITH IN HIM UNLESS WE LOVE HIM ABOVE EVERY THING AND EVERY ONE IN OUR LIVES. Because of this love faith relation we then become commited to Him as the most importan person in all of our lives.

We must LOVE Christ Jesus beyound meassure.

If we can not do this then we must redefine just what the fruit of faith is all about.

It is not about US,It is all about HIM. Please,please let this truth take root in the very seat of your being. Please,please. this is vital to our walk in pleasing God.

Jesus has told us that the way of the cross will be difficult and the road that we must walk in our faith is a very narrow one.

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Are you looking for the road unto everlasting life. then if you are then faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Way.

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Whin we operate in this fruit called faith being led by the Holy Spirit then we have security in the things of God.

The surffering in our walk in Him by faith will be worth it all as this verse below tells us. amen. praise God for He is faithfull

1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

This word commit that is use here gives us a picture of someone that makes a deposit with a loving trusted friend.

OUr commitment to God must follow the exzample of Jesus whin He committed His will. and His life to God all the way to the The Cross and death on it and beyound the cross even in to the grave You see Jesus had the faith that He knew that God would raish Him up from the grips of death on the thired day. Hallelujah He Has arose for the grave This fact alone gives creadence to our faith because what God has Done for His Son He will allso do for us. amen. Oh What love the Father Has for His children.

Praise God we are to follow in the foot steps of; the life Jesus to the cross and beyound. It is done by faith in Him and after the Cross and our death and new life in Christ. This fruit of the Holy Spirit called faith will carry us in our walk by faith.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Je

1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Folks our Faith must,again i say must be in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

I have more on this fruit of faith.

amen

will continue

YBIC

John

[GODSCHILD]

In this part of the study on the fruit of the Holy Spirit called faith. we need to establist one every important elimit of the fruit of faith. It is this, we need to learn and know that God is faithfull to us.This is the foundation of the fruit of faith. amen.

Hbr 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

Ok now the first thing that we must learn about this eleimit called faithfulness and its is this. FAITHFULNESS IS PART OF GOD'S CHARACTOR. IT IS HIS NATURE THAT HE BE FAITHFULL TO HIS WORD TO US

Lets look at Isaiah 49:6-7

Isa 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isa 49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

And 1 Corth. 1:9

1Cr 1:9 God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

And this verse in 1 thessolonions 5::23-24

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [i pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

Why is it important that we know that God is faithfull. It is this! how can we put our faith in some one that we know and have learned that he can not be faithfull to his word to us. This we must know and learn that God is faithfull to us.

God's very nature and character gives us the promise that He can not deny HIm self. He is bound to His Word to us He changes not

Jam 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Jam 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The words that is presented to us in the above verses is a faithfull saying from Him to Us.

Because He is faithfull God has sent his Spirit in order that we can grow in faith as we read and hear His word to us. It is His Spirit that will bring to life the words of God and cause our faith to grow.

Gods faithfullness is declared to be great.

Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

Lam 3:22 [it is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Lam 3:23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

Lam 3:24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Lam 3:25 The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

Lam 3:26 [it is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

His faithfulness has been estbilshed from the days of old. His faithfulness has been estiblished in Heaven

Psa 89:2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

His faithfuness can not be comparied to eny other.

Psa 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who [is] a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

Will close for now but have much much more of this fruit of faith. amen may Give give the increase of Godly wisdom of His word to us. amen

YBIC

John

[GODSCHILD]

Ok now would like to close this part of the study on the fruit called faith.

In these verse below i beleive it is recorded for the very root cause of of our unfaithfullness. Please read carefully and let the Holy Spirit reveal God's truth to us

Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

There is not enough time to go into all of the cause's that is listed here but i would like to say this. i light of what we have read in these verses we can truthjull ask ourself. How can we be faithfull and growing in faith towards God whin we love our selfs move the we love God. This can not be.

How can a paerson be faithfull to God when he loves hinselfr nore thern he lovesw God? Whin we are caught up in self gratification more then pleasing God.

We must ask ouself this that is found in Luke 14:26-27.

Luk 14:26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Folks listen to what the Spirit is saying now to us.

Our faithfullness will follow that what we consider the most important to us and to that which we are most commited too.

The aroma of fruit called faith operating in our lives will show forth in our character as being commited and reliable in ou love and obedent to God.

Jhn 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Jhn 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jhn 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

Will close with this>

Our faith that is directed by the Holy Spirit to hold Jesus Christ of great importance then enything on earth will be that sweet aroma of The fruit of the Spirit called Faith. It will produce good works unto God that will please Him.