The Doctrine of Faith

[civic]

continued :

As the mouth reveals what is the heart, the ear determines what goes into it. The father tells his son to "store up my commands within you"; he then adds: by "turning your ear to wisdom, and you will incline your heart to understanding" ( Prov 2:2 ). When Moses says, "these commandments are to be upon your hearts" ( Deut 6:6 ), he commands his hearers to remain conscious of them. This idea is expressed by the metaphor of writing on the tablet of the heart ( Prov 3:3 ; Jer 17:1 ). In short, the heart needs to be educated by filling it with God's word ( Prov 22:17-18 ). In that way a person will grow in favor and good name ( 3:3-4 ) and be safeguarded against sin ( Psalm 119:11 ).

The heart functions as the conscience. After David showed insubordination against the anointed king by cutting off the corner of his robe, his heart smote him ( 1 Sam 24:5 ), and after Peter's sermon the audience was "cut to the heart" ( Acts 2:37 ). The heart may condemn us, but God is greater than our hearts ( 1 John 3:20 ). David prays that God would create for him a pure heart to replace his defiled conscience ( Psalm 51:10 ).

Finally, the heart plans, makes commitments, and decides. It is the inner forum where decisions are made after deliberation; here a person engages in self-talk. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" ( Prov 16:9 ). Because of this critical function, the father instructs the son: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life ( 4:23 ). The Lord detests "a heart that devises wicked schemes" ( 6:18 ).

The greatest commandment according to Jesus is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" ( Matt 22:37 ). Love here is more than emotion; it is a conscious commitment to the Lord.

One speaks to the heart of another to move that person to a decision ( Isa 40:2 ; Hosea 2:14 ). The father asks the son for his heart ( Prov 23:26 ), by which he means that the son make a conscious decision to follow his instructions. The impenitent, however, have hearts that are insensitive, obstinate ( Mark 3:5 ; 6:52 ), and hard ( Matt 19:8 ); they cannot be moved in a new direction.

hope this helps !!!

 

[dwight92070]

Calvinism/ Monergism teaches God saves/ regenerates man prior to believing the gospel and its Gods work whereas synergism teaches man by faith receives / believes the gospel then is regenerated by God and therefor saved by God.

So man is interacting (by faith) with God to produce the greater result of regeneration/salvation, whereas Calvinists teaches that only God is working - the man does nothing.

 

[Soyeong]

1)What is faith ?
2)How does faith saves us ?
3)What is unbelief ?
4)Is it the opposite of faith ?

'Faith" is synonymous with "trust", "belief", "loyalty", or "reliability" and is in regard to trusting in character of God to correctly divide between right and wrong through obediently relying on God's law rather than leaning on our own understanding of right and wrong by doing what is right in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:1-7). The way that we live expresses what we believe to be true, such as with James 2:18 saying that he would show his works by his faith, so everyone who is a doer of the same works as James also has has the same faith as him.

Sin is what is contrary to God's character traits, such as with unrighteousness being sin, and sin is the transgression of God's law because it was given to teach us how to be a doer of God's character traits, so faith saves us from not being a doer of God's character traits by leading us to be a doer of them.

The way to believe in God is by being in His likeness through being a doer of His character traits. For example, by being a doer of good works in obedience to God's law we are testifying about God's goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), and by testifying about God's goodness we are also expressing the belief that God is good, or in other words we are believing in Him. Likewise, the way to believe that God is just is by being a doer of justice, the way to believe that God is holy is by being a doer of His instructions for how to be holy as He is holy, and so forth. This is also exactly the same way to believe in the Son, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of God's character (Hebrews 1:3). So by contrast, unbelief is disobedience to God's law and not trusting in what character traits of God to guide us, but doing what is right in our own eyes. For example, in Hebrews 3:18-19, it equates unbelief with disobedience.

 

[civic]

So man is interacting (by faith) with God to produce the greater result of regeneration/salvation, whereas Calvinists teaches that only God is working - the man does nothing.

Ditto

 

[civic]

'Faith" is synonymous with "trust", "belief", "loyalty", or "reliability" and is in regard to trusting in character of God to correctly divide between right and wrong through obediently relying on God's law rather than leaning on our own understanding of right and wrong by doing what is right in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:1-7). The way that we live expresses what we believe to be true, such as with James 2:18 saying that he would show his works by his faith, so everyone who is a doer of the same works as James also has has the same faith as him.

Sin is what is contrary to God's character traits, such as with unrighteousness being sin, and sin is the transgression of God's law because it was given to teach us how to be a doer of God's character traits, so faith saves us from not being a doer of God's character traits by leading us to be a doer of them.

The way to believe in God is by being in His likeness through being a doer of His character traits. For example, by being a doer of good works in obedience to God's law we are testifying about God's goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), and by testifying about God's goodness we are also expressing the belief that God is good, or in other words we are believing in Him. Likewise, the way to believe that God is just is by being a doer of justice, the way to believe that God is holy is by being a doer of His instructions for how to be holy as He is holy, and so forth. This is also exactly the same way to believe in the Son, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of God's character (Hebrews 1:3). So by contrast, unbelief is disobedience to God's law and not trusting in what character traits of God to guide us, but doing what is right in our own eyes. For example, in Hebrews 3:18-19, it equates unbelief with disobedience.

yes faith and obedience go hand in hand like unbelief and disobedience. They are 2 sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other.

 

[dwight92070]

yes faith and obedience go hand in hand like unbelief and disobedience. They are 2 sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other.

Just as repentance and faith go hand in hand - and confession and faith go hand in hand.

 

[Peterlag]

I like to think of Ephesians 2:8-9 in this way: "For by (God's) grace you have been saved through (your) faith; and that (salvation is) not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of (your) works, so that no one may boast."

May I ask why you add the word (your) int the verse? It's not there in Ephesians 2:8

 

[Peterlag]

To answer your question, we would need to know your definition of "work".

Also, Baptism is usually refered to as an ordinance or a sacrament, very rarely if ever a work.

It would probably be nice to have somebody's definition of faith. Your faith or the faith of Jesus Christ?

 

[Peterlag]

In the New Testament, "pistis" primarily denotes a conviction or belief in the truth of something, often with the implication of trust and reliance. It is used to describe the faith that believers have in God and Jesus Christ, encompassing both intellectual assent and trustful commitment. "Pistis" is foundational to the Christian life, as it is through faith that believers are justified and live out their relationship with God.

Strong's Greek: 4102. πίστις (pistis) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence, fidelity

I agree. In the New Testament “faith” is most often translated from the Greek noun pistis (#4102πίστις), which like many other Greek words has several meanings including “trust” Romans 3:38, 1 Corinthians 15:14, “faithfulness and reliability” (Proverbs 12:22, Matthew 23:23, Romans 3:3, Galatians 5:22,and “proof and pledge” (Acts 17:31). Also we find pistis in the New Testament and later Christian writings being used as a designation for the entire scope of religious practices and beliefs of the followers of Jesus as in “the Christian Faith” (Galatians 1:23). “Faithfulness” and “trust” were both very common meanings of pistis and that is why it was also used in the everyday Greek-speaking world. However, pistis in the New Testament means “trust” much more than it does “faithfulness” and when pistis is translated “faith” in phrases like “faith in God” or “faith in Christ” or “have faith” it means “trust” or “confidence” or“assurance.” The early Christians would have readily perceived the meaning of pistis as “trust” or “confidence” and that meaning can be easily confirmed by checking any good biblical lexicon or Bible dictionary.

 

[civic]

Just as repentance and faith go hand in hand - and confession and faith go hand in hand.

Amen

 

[dwight92070]

May I ask why you add the word (your) int the verse? It's not there in Ephesians 2:8

Jesus told several persons "Your faith" has blah blah blah - seven times actually. The rest of the New Testament uses the same words "Your faith" around 30 times. And there are many more places where the faith is said to be "theirs". So the true meaning of Ephesians 2:8 is also "your faith". This is quite obvious. Who else has faith to save us, but we ourselves? It's not God's faith in Jesus that saves us. So the answer to your question is quite obvious, just by looking at all the other times "your faith" is used and even implied.

 

[dwight92070]

It would probably be nice to have somebody's definition of faith. Your faith or the faith of Jesus Christ?

Jesus is and always was the object of our faith, so He doesn't need faith, just as God doesn't need faith in Himself.

 

[Peterlag]

Jesus is and always was the object of our faith, so He doesn't need faith, just as God doesn't need faith in Himself.

Oh great!!! You just wiped out the faith of Jesus Christ and replaced it with yours. Here let us rewrite the Scriptures and replace it all with you since you have wiped out Jesus Christ anyway when you made him God.

Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ [meaning the faith of you] unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, [meaning the faith of you] even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ [the promise of your faith] might be given to them that believe.

Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, [through your faith] the righteousness which is of God by faith:

1 Timothy 1:14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [meaning the faith which is in you]

1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [meaning the faith which is in you]

2 Timothy 1:13
Holding fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [meaning what is in you]

2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [through faith which is in you]

 

[Peterlag]

Jesus told several persons "Your faith" has blah blah blah - seven times actually. The rest of the New Testament uses the same words "Your faith" around 30 times. And there are many more places where the faith is said to be "theirs". So the true meaning of Ephesians 2:8 is also "your faith". This is quite obvious. Who else has faith to save us, but we ourselves? It's not God's faith in Jesus that saves us. So the answer to your question is quite obvious, just by looking at all the other times "your faith" is used and even implied.

You just made yourself the Christ. Good luck with that.