Fact-founded Faith

[WordSword]

Reckoning does not produce the blessings of God but appropriates them into practice. Saints are not dead to sin by reckoning it so, because it’s the work of Christ that has effected this power within the believer at rebirth. But reckoning puts this truth into practice (same for all blessings) within the mind and in the walk (for spiritual growth) by realizing (reckoning) it is already so. - NC

 

 

 Fact-founded Faith

 The only thing the believer is enjoined to do, in view of his death in Christ unto sin is to reckon himself to be dead unto it; not, indeed, to reckon sin to be dead, but to count himself, being in Christ and a partaker of all that He wrought in the judgment of sin, to be dead to it. Apart from such reckoning (as is in unbelievers—NC) it is clearly implied that sin, as a living force within, will reign in the mortal body (Rom 6:11, 12).

The fact that the old man is judged is a revelation of supreme importance and speaks of the Father’s faithfulness on behalf of His loved ones; but He also reveals to them the knowledge of His measureless provision for their growth and daily walk. The record concerning Christ’s death unto sin is not given merely to enlarge the individual’s knowledge of historical facts; it is given that he may be assured that there is deliverance from the reigning power of sin, as once unbelievers were assured through the revelation of the fact that Christ died for their sins that there is salvation from the penalty of sin.

The death of Christ unto sin is the ground of a great confidence. Thus it may be concluded that the divine provision for the believer’s deliverance from the dominion (same as “reign” in Rom 6:12, 14—NC) of indwelling sin is twofold, namely, (a) a legal and righteous judgement of the old man and (b) the gift of the indwelling, liberating (2 Cor 3:17) Spirit of God.

In gaining a deliverance from the power of sin, the believer’s responsibility is stated in one word—faith, a faith which not only reckons one to be dead to sin, but alive unto God (Rom 6:13 – just as rebirth severs us from sin, it simultaneously unites us to God—NC). Naught else remains for believers to do (concerning effecting this state—NC) since, as above stated, God had provided the righteous ground upon which the deliverance may be wrought by the Spirit and has caused that same liberating Spirit to indwell them for this very purpose.

The requirement is not an act of faith, such as once secured regeneration; it is an attitude of faith, which is maintained throughout each succeeding day—a walk of faith (everything believers do concerning the revealed will of God in Scripture is through faith—NC). To walk by means of, or in dependence on the Spirit is to be delivered from the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16). Here, as a life principle of procedure, faith is as always, opposite to human works. The apostle Paul testified that the result of his struggle, when he strove in his own strength to realize spiritual ideals, was utter failure and he could only conclude that to will was present with him, but how to perform that which is good he found not (Rom 7:18).

“Oh, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death” (Rom 7:24)? The answer to this great question and cry of distress is given in the following verse: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). This is more than a deliverance from the Law of Moses: it is deliverance from the power of sin and death (its results – Rom 6:23). The effect of this deliverance is indicated by the blessedness recorded in the eighth chapter, as in contrast to the wretchedness recorded in the seventh chapter.

The helpless and defeated “I” (old man—NC) is in evidence in the one case, and the sufficient and liberated “I” (new man—NC) by the Spirit, is in evidence in the other. The believer is, then, to be delivered by the “law (or power) of the Spirit.” But attention must be called to the fact, stated in 7:25, which is “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Christian is delivered by the Spirit, but the deliverance is made righteously possible through Jesus Christ our Lord, because of the believer’s identification with Him in His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.

- L S Chafer

 

Excerpt from MJS devotional for July 18:

“When once we see and accept our Father’s purpose for our lives to the extent that it becomes our will also, the time and details of His process cease to matter. Thy will be done” (Lk. 11:2). – MJS

http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

 

 

 

 

[Not me]

16 hours ago, WordSword said:

Reckoning does not produce the blessings of God but appropriates them into practice.

This is so true.

To make the blessings of God (freedom from sin, all conscious sin)  manifested in the believers life. The believer, by faith needs to “reckon himself dead to sin.” Sin is still very much alive, but the believer, has been made dead to it. For consider, if you were to die right now, would you not be free from all the power and temptation that sin could throw at you?  

Than,

 The next step is to, 

“present yourselfs as living sacrifices to God as those that are alive from the dead.” 

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Saints are not dead to sin by reckoning it so,

True again.

But as this writing will continue to bring forth.  It is by the “reckoning” that brings or manifests the blessings of “walking in newness of life” in a believers life. Whereby they can walk a victorious Christian life. 

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because it’s the work of Christ that has effected this power within the believer at rebirth.

Absolutely! This is what are salvation in Christ consists of. That the Divine Nature might be brought to life or manifested in the here and now in a believers life. 

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But reckoning puts this truth into practice (same for all blessings) within the mind and in the walk (for spiritual growth) by realizing (reckoning) it is already so. - NC

Very well said!  

For as you (or whoever wrote this)  stated “all” the blessings of God are appropriated by the believers faith. For the scripture says; 

 “the just shall live by faith”

But this “reckoning” or realizing is not just a mental acknowledgment of a certain set of facts,  like someone might learn truths from a science book. The faith in these truths has to come from the heart. For until than, the knowledge or the belief in these truths, will remain in the intellect only, than when the believers faith is tried, he will invariably try to help God out, and that in itself will cause these truths to be of no effect in the believers life. For “self” will become involved, for it is “self” or “self will” that the believer needs to be freed from. For until than,  these truths will be ineffective. The results being, He will still find himself in boundage to his fallen nature. For our salvation in Christ is a absolute and complete one. He has done all, and purchased all of our salvation, by His death on the cross. It’s just a matter of us appropriating it by faith. All of it, by the faith that comes from the heart, by seeing and understanding things, the way that they are,  in all reality and all truth. 

Much love in Christ, Not me

[WordSword]

2 hours ago, Not me said:

For until than,  these truths will be ineffective. The results being, He will still find himself in boundage to his fallen nature. For our salvation in Christ is a absolute and complete one. He has done all, and purchased all of our salvation, by His death on the cross. It’s just a matter of us appropriating it by faith. All of it, by the faith that comes from the heart, by seeing and understanding things, the way that they are,  in all reality and all truth. 

You are close to what's being discussed, the closest I've seen so far, but the effects of God's blessings are fully active in the believer whether known or not. It's just that many are unaware of this because they think there's something else to be done for them to be actives in us. We can more encouragingly walk in these truths when we know they are already available without thinking we have to do this or that (other than appropriate, e.g. utilize) before we can possess and use them.

For example, a believer is dead to sin without realizing it (reckoning it), but when we realize it we can walk in closer fellowship with God with less of self lacking this understanding. Believers are forever in union with God but fellowship comes with spiritual growth, which is having a more accurate understanding of spiritual growth doctrines of the Bible; and the majority of contemporary Christendom is greatly deficient presently in this, which, because of being God's children will slowly and inevitably come to fruition.

This can be a bit difficult to explain, and thanks for your comments!

Edited July 19, 2018 by WordSword

[WordSword]

1 hour ago, Yowm said:

The Declaration of Emancipation set the slaves free. They were truly free to leave. But some, when hearing the declaration, did not believe it and thus remained in their servitude.

I think I understand your point. Even though those who are born again are free from the guilt of sin in their life, they will not seem so in their thinking if they don't understand this.

[Not me]

1 hour ago, WordSword said:

You are close to what's being discussed, the closest I've seen so far, but the effects of God's blessings are fully active in the believer whether known or not. It's just that many are unaware of this because they think there's something else to be done for them to be actives in us. We can more encouragingly walk in these truths when we know they are already available without thinking we have to do this or that (other than appropriate, e.g. utilize) before we can possess and use them.

For example, a believer is dead to sin without realizing it (reckoning it), but when we realize it we can walk in closer fellowship with God with less of self lacking this understanding. Believers are forever in union with God but fellowship comes with spiritual growth, which is having a more accurate understanding of spiritual growth doctrines of the Bible; and the majority of contemporary Christendom is greatly deficient presently in this, which, because of being God's children will slowly and inevitably come to fruition.

This can be a bit difficult to explain, and thanks for your comments!

You did just fine. 

It all does come down to one’s personal relationship with Christ. Whether this relationship is real and growning.

It is to the believers desire after Christ will he be filled. 

Much love in Christ, Not me

Edited July 19, 2018 by Not me

[WordSword]

22 minutes ago, Yowm said:

I guess my point was that 'faith' did not make the D&E so, but when believed it had practical effects.

I think that's the way I see it too. Upon receiving salvation the believer receives all that Christ's works provide (2 Pet 1:3), then it's just a matter of knowing, understanding and learning to walk in the blessings for our maturing in Christ.

[WordSword]

29 minutes ago, Not me said:

It all does come down to one’s personal relationship with Christ. Whether this relationship is real and growing. It is to the believers desire after Christ will he be filled. 

Yes, I believe that if we are reborn we cannot avoid God "working in you both to desire and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Since there is not prejudice with Him this is to all who will be reborn. 

[Not me]

2 hours ago, WordSword said:

Yes, I believe that if we are reborn we cannot avoid God "working in you both to desire and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Since there is not prejudice with Him this is to all who will be reborn. 

Yes, all of God’s promises are for all His children. That we as His children might come to know Him and what our salvation in Christ consists of, in all reality and in all truth. 

Much love in Christ, Not me

[WordSword]

1 hour ago, Not me said:

Yes, all of God’s promises are for all His children. That we as His children might come to know Him and what our salvation in Christ consists of, in all reality and in all truth. 

Much love in Christ, Not me

Amen!

Together in Him