FAITH

 God speaking of his chosen people says,  “(Matt 15:8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and  honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” 

2 Corinthians 13:5, 6 "Examine yourselves,  whether you be of faith; prove (test) your own selves. Know you not  your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be  reprobates. But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates."  Also read all of Hebrews 11.

Faith is defined by many to be  different things, but God says there is ".[1]..one Lord, one faith, one  baptism, one God and Father of all  ...” How can it be then, that we  hear people say there is more than one faith that attains to heaven;  when God says there is only one? Such talk is, obviously, not from God's  word, for God doesn't lie.

Faith (true faith) is [2] "The gift  of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." "Faith[3] is a shield  against the fiery "Darts of the devil." We[4] are saved through Christ,  by faith. We are made righteous by faith. Faith is not ashamed. Not  [5]all men have faith. By faith many were healed in our Lord's days on  earth. By [6]faith we know that God created heaven and earth. By faith  we know there is a heaven and a hell. By faith heaven is our home.

Throughout  the Bible we see examples of faith in those who have lived before us.  How by faith [7]Abel obtained a witness that he was righteous. How by  faith Enoch did not die. And by Faith [8]Noah believed the word of God  and, out of the millions, he and his house were the only "faithful" on  earth, at the time of the flood. In Noah's day, the millions were given  over to the joys of this life and a fake faith. You can hear the people  ridiculing Noah for being so foolish as to build an ark, and for  preaching during the 120 years of building to the people, his relatives  and neighbors, saying, “Repent…follow God's word…listen to the truth,  for the truth will make you free ... " What would their reply be? "Look  at that fool, building such a large boat …and on dry land too… how does  he think that thing will float?... flood? ..and as for free, look at our  free life styles, look at the pleasures we have here…why do you talk of  greater pleasures than these?...eternal pleasures haw!...we believe in  God and heaven…but relax…give in a little ... lets eat drink and be  merry…” Oh the tears Noah Shed, seeing his blood brothers laugh at him!  Read your [9]Scriptures and see that this not only happened, but is  happening still. Look at all the lives of the apostles and prophets  shown to us and see how men of today count what is written as so many  fairy tales. Faith believes what is said, without question. Don’t you  see that faith is against reason; reason looks at and trusts in what it  can touch and see and handle. "But faith[10] is the substance of (OR  firm confidence in) things hoped for, the evidence of (OR conviction  regarding) things not seen." "And [11]without faith it is impossible to  please God." "For man[12] cannot come to God except first he believe  that he is God." "And God is a rewarder[13] of those who diligently seek  God." So walk by faith and not by sight.

Look in another place  where Christ says of faith, “[14]Except you be converted and become as  little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God." Paul, the  apostle, calls Timothy, "A [15]true child in faith" (γνησιω τεκνω εν  πιστει). The possessive personal pronoun “my” is not in the Greek, and  it is τρκνω = child, not υιοσ = son. The same holds true in Paul's  address to Titus. This reveals even more of what faith is. Be as men in  God's knowledge, but you can't be a man if you haven't been a child  first. You always remain a  child in faith. The apostle Paul says, "We  know in part and we speak in part". The same is true for us. No [16]one  will know all of God's wisdom until that day of perfection, until  heaven. But the spirit of faith says, "Lord,[17] I believe your word,  your word is truth". Use the example of a little child, who will believe  all things told it, by it's father, never doubting. The same is our  relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Faith[18] demands truth  from those who speak of things religious. And faith can look at God's  word and clearly tell if a man, claiming to be a preacher of God, is  showing all of God’s word. Each [19]one of us has the responsibility to  look in our scriptures and find out if our pastors are faithful or not.  There will be no one let into heaven on a plea of ignorance and no  pastor or any other person is going to suffer hell's damnation for you,  if they knowingly or not lead you astray. Do you think the devil would  have half a chance to seduce anyone, if he were to walk around with a  sign on his neck saying, "I am the devil"? So it is just a tragedy to  hear people trust their eternal life on a man who is so nice and well  liked, and not turn completely to God's word.

Here  is where we stop and show that all those words that are harsh sounding  to our flesh, and that are the fire and brimstone of our God, are by  faith turned into words of love. These words are the sign around the  neck of Satan and all those who preach just enough of God's word to fool  those that are too lazy to look in their Bibles. For our heavenly  Father clearly shows in his word, that narrow path that leads to heaven.  And he clearly shows the workings[20] of the devil; that one who, "as a  roaring Lion, walks about, seeking whom he may eat". And shows us this  devil who seduces people through the use of false preachers, and  establishes himself as an angel of light. "By their fruits you will know  them."

True faith is indeed the most complete confidence. Look  at the examples of the martyrs who were so confident that they could  suffer even death, to be able to spend forever and ever in heaven. Faith  has not changed, even as God's word will never change. And look again  at the confidence of faith, how [21]Abraham moved to a place he didn't  even know, and accepted God's words; "Take[22] no thought for the  morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." How  he was sure of God's promises and was willing to offer up his son, whom  God said would be his heir. Read the words of Hebrews 11 and see how  faith is so much like the eager faith of a child who believes, without  question, what is told it by its father. These believers (as all  believers must) gave up all that they had for the one treasure no one  could take away from them, namely salvation and heaven. By their faith  their treasure was in heaven. "Lay not up treasure where moth and rust  do corrupt and thieves steal. But lay up treasure in heaven where  neither rust corrupts nor thieves steal." "Where your treasure is, there  will your heart be also."

Look at Mark 10:23-27. "How hardly  shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the  disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and  said unto them, children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches  to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through  the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of  God. And they were astonished out of measure saying among themselves,  who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them says, with men it is  impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

We  see here that the disciples were "astonished out of (or beyond)  measure", why? because God used the word in Greek for riches χρημα  (which means; whatever is for use, whatever one uses, a thing, matter,  affair, event, business, money). And does not use the other Greek word  for riches πλουτος (which means; wealth. or abundance of external  possessions). Looking at the Greek background in these verses we see  that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for  those who trust in the very things of everyday contact to enter heaven.

God  says in Luke 14:33; "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes  not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple." (disciple means nothing  more than a follower of Christ here, it never refers to an office, but a  pupil or student, as all believers are) The Greek word for forsake,  also means; to separate one's self, to bid farewell to. "Meaning that  you say goodbye to everything, family, wealth, honor, advantage, and  hold onto salvation and Jesus Christ above all else. That if it comes to  be that you are forced to choose between family or any possession, and  Christ, faith chooses Christ. If not, he will not receive the crown of  heaven. "With God all things are possible", through the faith that God  gives.

"He [23]that loves father or mother more than me is not  worthy of me." And in Luke 14:26, Christ uses the word "hate" to express  our form of love toward our relatives, when it is compared to the love  toward God by faith, of true believers. Don't you see how impossible  this is to our reason, but by faith in the ALL powerful, Almighty God,  it is possible, simple childlike faith.

Know for sure that the  Bible is God's word. Believe all of it and you will know that you have  faith, that one and only true faith. "I am[24] the way the truth and the  life", says our savior. "If you continue in my word, then are you my  disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make  you free." "If the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."  Yes you will be free, free from sin, free from eternal death in hell,  and you will have confidence in your heart, and to say as the apostle  Paul, "I am [25]determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ  and him crucified." And, "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,  nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor  things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be  able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our  Lord." And through faith your eyes will be opened that you will be able  to see the fruits of the false prophets, as pointed out by our Lord. For  God says regarding his word, "And if any man shall take away from the  words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of  the book of life, and out of the holy city and from the things which are  written in this book." Does God mince words here? Is there any gray  area? Read Galatians 1:6-12, and [26]other passages, God says, "Even if  it be an angel from heaven who preaches any other Gospel, let him be  damned (accursed).” Read John 1:1 and following. Christ and the word of  God are one and the same, if you throw out part of God's word you are  throwing out Christ. Without Christ there is no salvation. Faith accepts  ALL of God's word without questionings.

Know this also that  God’s love is far greater than we can imagine. How can we as men equate  our love with God's? For Jesus Christ came into the world and died on  the cross, as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. And  to those that believe on him, he says, you still[27] have the flesh,  but the sins of the flesh and your guilt by birth and of your flesh,  have been put away from you as far as east is from west; and by my mercy  I give you freely, eternal life, and take care of all of your basic  needs. And by Christ's righteousness we are made sons of God and all  things that are written in the word of God become for us, the words of  our shepherd. "My sheep[28] hear my voice and I know them and they  follow me."

Know also that the last days of earth[29] are here.  For we hear of wars and rumors of wars; and we see men in their  wickedness, murdering millions children for the sake of pleasure  (legally by man, not God), when we see God talking of children even  before conception. We hear also of more and more "natural" upheavals  (earthquakes, floods, etc.); all these are signs of the end. "Watch, for  that day comes as the twinkling of an eye, and of that day knows no  man.”  

Remember, "that all [30]men have sinned and come short of  the glory of God ••• " "There is none that does good no not one." "No  man comes unto the Father but by me." "Where[31] is boasting then? It is  excluded. By what law? of work? No: but by the law of faith. Therefore  we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the  law." "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the  faith of God without effect? God forbid: Yes, let God be true, but every  man a liar •••”

My prayer for you is that God give you the  strength to open your heart and let the light of salvation fill it with  joy. This is the peace that God gives men, that they may be reconciled  to God by the death of our savior, only Believe. And those that believe  will all receive the same gift of [32]eternal life; it does not matter  if the believer is black or white, male or female, slave or free, the  gift is the same. Open your eyes and see that the word of God is indeed  truth, and pray with an ernest heart that God shows you His wisdom.

Know  that [33]faith and doubt can not live in the same heart, and be honest  with yourself, for God knows all hearts. Pray and seek God’s kingdom;  for God says, “Seek [34]and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened  unto you, ask and it shall be given…”

“And I trust you will know that we are not reprobate."

Notes:

People  have made unbending, staunch faith seem old-fashioned and something of  the past. Call it what you want. God says it is tne only way to  heaven!!!  The footnotes are from: The Greek used is the Textus  Receptus. The bible used is the King James Version. *

*  The Textus Receptus (Received Text) is by all evidence, closest to the  original letters of the apostles. This has been handed down from  generation to generation and has been used by all Christians until the  1800's. At which period, several groups of unbelieving men have brought  forth a corrupt and small amount of manuscripts (the ratio of  Transcripts agreeing with the Textus Receptus to the corrupt manuscripts  is: 999 with the Textus Receptus to 5 with the corrupt). These five  corrupt ones, through many manmade theories, have been Established, and  are tile basis of all printed English Versions today except the King  James Version.

There are many  books written on the subject. One of the best is titled; True or False  edited by; David 0. Fuller J. D. Published by; Grand Rapids  International Publications, a Division of Kregel, Inc.

[1] Ephesians 4:5; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-21

[2] Ephesians 2:3, 9; Romans 4:16; Acts 17:31(the Greek reads," ... has given assurance to all faithful men.")

[3] Eph. 6:16; Psalms 33:20, 59:11, 84:9-12

[4] Acts 10:43, 26:18; Romans 1 :16, 3:28+, 4:1-5:21, 8:24, 10:8-11; Galatians 2:16

[5] Romans 10:16, 11:8; 1 Corinthians 8:7, 15:34; 2 Thessalonians 3:2; Matthew19:11-13

[6] Genesis 1:1 and following; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3

[7] Genesis 4:1; Hebrews 11:4  

[8] Genesis 6:1-7:5; Hebrews 11:7 

[9] Matt. 24:37+; Luke 21 :12-19; John 15:18-21,16:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 3:19,20; 2 Peter 2:5

[10] Hebrews 11:1

[11] Hebrews 11:6; Psalms 101 :3, 109:7, 139:21,22; Romans 8:4-11

[12] Hebrews 11 :6; John 6:65

[13]  Matt. 7:7-11, 21:22; Mark 11 :24; Luke 11 :9, 18:1; John 14:13,  15:7-17, 16:23; Hebrews 11 :6; James 1:5-7, 4:3; 1 John 3:22-24, 5:14

[14] Matt.l8:3; Mark 10:14; John 1:12,13, 3:3+; 2 Corinthians 5:1-1; 1 Peter 1:23

[15] 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1 :4; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:2

[16] 1 Corinthians 8:2, 13:9,10

[17] Romans 1:16+; Romans 10:11

[18] Romans 1:18, 8:5; 1 Corinthians 2:14

[19] 1 John 4:1; Jeremiah 28:8,9; Micah 7:6; Matt. 10:21; Romans 12:2; Eph. 5:8-11; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Timothy3:10

[20]  Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:12-19; James 4:4-8; John 8:42-47; 2  Corinthians 4:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-16; Philippians 3:18,19; 1 John  3:6-10, 4:4-21

[21] Romans 4:1-5,16; Galatians 3:6; Hebrews 11:8+; James 2:21

[22] Psalms 37:5, 55:22; Matt. 6:25,34,6:19-21, 19:21; Luke 12:11,33,34,18:22; Philippians 4:6,7; 1 Peter 1 :3,4

[23] Matt. 10:37, 19:29; Rev. 12:11;

[24] John 14:6; John 8:31,36; Romans 6:14,8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16,17

[25] Romans 1 :16, 8:18,32; 1 Corinthians 2:2

[26] John 12:25,48; Luke 10:15,16; Revelation 2:1-3:22, 22:19

[27] John 12:25,48; Luke 10:15,16; Revelation 2:1-3:22, 22:19

[28] John 10:1-5,25-30

[29] Matt. 24:6-34+; Mark 13:5-37; Luke 17:22-36; 1 Thess. 4:15-18; 2 Tim. 3:1-9,13, 4:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3+; 1 John 2:18+

[30] Gen 6:5, 8:21; Job 14:4, 15:14; Psalms 51:5; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:21,3:23,7:15-25; Galatians 5:19-26; 1 Peter 3:21

[31] Romans 3:3, 3:27,28

[32] John 10:28, 11 :25; Romans l0:12-15; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1 :12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev. 2:10

[33] Romans 10:17, 14:23; Titus 1 : 15

[34] Matt. 7:7-11, 21:22; Mark 11 :24; Luke 11 :9, 18:1; John 14:13, 15:7-17, 16:23; Hebrews 11 :6; James 1:5-7, 4:3; 1 John 3:22-24, 5:14