Faith # 3

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The 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 !

 

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Faith 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

 

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Faith 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.

 

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Before 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 4

 

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Ordained 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 3:13

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

 

[Brightfame52]

Faith cometh by hearing of the Word of God!

Rom 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Now a great many appeal to this, but its doubted that its really understood by them. Faith comes by Hearing the Word of God or the Word of Christ, or the Word of Truth. Now understand, everything we hear from preachers today is not the Word of God, or Truth or of Christ, and therefore our believing is not True Faith, because True Faith acknowledges the Truth, and is persuaded of the Truth Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

That word acknowledging is the greek word epignósis:


knowledge of a particular point (directed towards a particular object); perception, discernment, recognition, intuition.

Its a recognition of the Truth or a discernment of it. Remember Paul says this of the Gospel Truth 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 or recognized.

Now let me be more clear, if we have embraced or believed a supposed gospel message that states that Christ died for everyone sins in the World without exception, or that God Loves all people without exception, then quite simply we have not heard and believed the Word of God, or of Truth or of Christ, so consequently that's not the Faith written of in Rom 10:17. Faith does not cometh by hearing the word of men. That Christ died for all without exception or God Loved every human being, those things are not the Word of God. So that's not the Faith of God's Elect that cometh by Hearing. 4

 

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Faith cometh by hearing of the Word of God!2

There simply is no Gospel Conversion [which is what Rom 10:17 means] apart from acknowledging the Truth Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

1 Tim 2:4

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2 Tim 2:25

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

And apart from the Truth of the True Gospel,there is no True Faith from hearing. True Faith which is given by the Spirit of Truth can only be stirred into action by God's Truth, the Word of Truth Eh 1:13

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

There must be true and accurate scriptural facts set forth as to the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Paul says that His Gospel was according to scripture 1 Cor 15:3-4

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:

The scripture of Truth Dan 10:21


But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

It must be the Truth about the Redemption He gives Lk 1:68

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people [The Elect or those He foreknew Rom 11:2],

There must be the Truth of His Person as God-Man 1 Tim 3:16

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.CP Jn 1:1,14

Matt 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Also the Truth about what He accomplished for His People as God-Man, the message is incomplete without specifying who His Redemptive Work was in behalf of, which is God's Elect, or the Church the Body of Christ or the Sheep, again this cannot go unspecified. Without these biblical facts set forth from the scripture, we are not preaching the Word of Truth, which only incites the Hearing of Faith. The Word of Truth is never set forth in any given setting in its entirety, but its a constant continuum of declaring the Whole Counsel of God Acts 20:24-27

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

That word declare means to rehearse:

to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

God uses the Gospel to establish the believer the rest of their pilgrimage upon earth Rom 16:25

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

 

[Brightfame52]

Faith cometh by hearing of the Word of God!3

The Faith that is the Gift and Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22, born out of the Spirit is a infallible Faith, one which will not embrace lies, but it is custom for the reception of only the Truth.

Its a grace of the Spirit suitable only for Divine Revelation to be received, and not the wisdom of men, for this Faith cannot believe a Lie, for its the Faith of God's Elect. So Jesus can say of them that have it this Jn 10:4-5

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This Faith is given custom made to hear only the voice of their Saviour " They know His Voice"

Jesus says of His Elect also Matt 24:24

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Remember Jn 10:4-5, So that's basically the meaning of Matt 24:24, The God given Faith will not cleave to lies.

 

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Faith and Repentance are Joined together!

Faith is part of True Repentance,and True Repentance is part of Faith. For True God given repentance is to acknowledge the Truth 2 Tim 2:25

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

That's very important to understand. We have no repentance toward God while embracing lies and false gospels. An acknowledgment of the Truth is a knowing and belief of it without a doubt.

The knowing of the Truth is an experiential knowing with the heart, not a mere nominal knowing as here 2 Pet 2:20-21

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

Also Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Note: Acknowledging the Truth is Godliness !

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:

Repentance and Acknowledging the Truth are effects of the Spirit's Sanctification of us.

So when Peter Preaches that the risen and ascended Saviour Christ gives Repentance to Israel [God's Elect of both jews and gentiles] Acts 5:31, that does involve giving also to Israel [The Elect] belief in or an Acknowledgment of the Truth ! We cannot separate what God hath joined together. 4

 

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To some it has not been given to them to believe the Gospel, but to some it has been See Matt 13:11; Mk 4:11 and Phil 1:29. Mk 4:11 also adds the comment to them which are without Mk 4:11

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Matt 13:11

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Now one may object and say that Jesus is speaking of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven and not the Gospel; but that s but a foolish and unlearned reply, because they are the same. Yes Gospel Truths and or Mysteries are the same as the Kingdom of Heaven Mysteries. One would be hard press to separate The Gospel which is a Mystery Eph 6:19, The Mystery of Christ Eph 3:4,which is joined with Preaching Christ in the Gospel Rom 16:25

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

In other words to Preach Christ now under the New Covenant dispensation, and not Preach the Mystery of Christ, it is to Preach a half Christ which is no Christ at all. The Mystery of the Faith is the Gospel 1 Tim 3:9; Here Paul means the entire Counsel of God in the Salvation Purpose Acts 20:24-27 and the combination of all these these things forms the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, which is inclusive offal the various Mysteries, and its given to know to only some, to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom !

 

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Heb 11:1 is Heavenly in Origin.

Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith here is of Divine and Heavenly origin John 3:27

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

James 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.

It is by the Righteousness of God their Saviour they have obtained it 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 word obtained means:

to receive by divine allotment, obtain

Faith is of Divine Origin created in the souls of them who are born of the Spirit, which being born of Him, we then partake of Spiritual Life, Faculties, Senses and Perceptions, hence thereby capacitated to receive the Gospel of Our Salvation, the Word of Truth, to Spiritually discern its Truths and rest in them.4