"having faith" and "believing"

homiletically, I once said that "belief" is what took you to the bridge. "Faith" is what took you across the bridge. Belief was the knowledge that the bridge was engineered correctly; faith that the engineer knew what he was doing. ALL in the same journey, along the same path.

Cheers,

Jim

 

well,as we are doing a men's sunday school class on the subject,here's what comes to mind.

there are 4 different ideas here:

1.knowledge-no belief req'd,no action req'd

2.belief-belief req'd,no action req'd(I believe a 2x4 will hold me)

3.trust-belief req'd,action req'd(I trust this 2x4 will hold me)almost an act of commandment

4.faith-belief req'd,action req'd,but action is spurred on by a working of the Holy Spirit where you have to do the work,or you'd explode,or a powerful inside working of the Holy SPirit that produces an external action.
(I know this 2x4 will hold me and if I don't step out on this 2x4,I know I'll miss out on the Lord's blessing!)an act not spurred by commandment to satisfy God,but an act spurred to glorify God
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?:9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do

At least that is what faith has been shown to me lately.Faith is such a generic word for any religious belief,but it is so much more than that!!!

[ November 16, 2002, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: wingtrap ]

 

Yes, Jim I would identify with that.
yours, Jon.

 

Ditto Russell and Dr. Bob.

 

Double Ditto