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Faith Toward God by J-me (Pt. 1) 7/8/2009 5:54:01 AM
The second Principle of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ according to Hebrews 6:1-2.
What is faith?
• Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 may seem confusing, but two illustrations might help our understanding.
The following illustration will help us understand the first part of the definition of faith, ("substance of things hoped for.")
Two men were fishing in their own boats in the same area of a large lake. A third fisherman named William met them and showed each of the first two men some huge fish he had caught in another part of the lake. The men asked William where he had caught the fish. William gave both men identical directions. Then he shouted, "So long and good fishing!" then he headed to shore with his prize catch.
The first man pulled up anchor and sped away toward the location given by William. The second man thought, 'If nothing happens here I'll try that area.' But he never did. Yet, he wondered how the first man had done.
Which man demonstrated faith in the words of William, the direction giver?
The first man, of course. The substance of the first man's hope was the action of pulling up anchor and heading toward the new fishing area. The demonstration or "substance" of his hope was his action.
Another illustration might help explain the second part of the definition of faith, ("evidence of things not seen.")
Two men wanted to cross a busy street. One goes to the corner and sees a red sign that says, "Don't Walk." He waits until the sign changes to green and reads, "Walk." He immediately leaves the curb and crosses the street. Without realizing his convictions the man has demonstrated faith in at least two ways. First, he demonstrated his belief that the crosswalk sign was functioning properly. Second, he demonstrated his belief that oncoming traffic would obey the traffic sign.
The other man arriving at the same crosswalk pays no attention to the crosswalk sign, but looks in every direction and dashes across the street when he believes he can cross avoiding any oncoming traffic. This man had no faith in the traffic sign or in the drivers of the oncoming vehicles, because his actions demonstrated otherwise. Yet, he did demonstrate faith in his own ability to traverse the street without any outside help. Both men demonstrated "evidence" of their beliefs, or "in things not seen."
How do these two illustrations help to explain Faith toward God?
Simply this, God the Father of all creation loves mankind so much that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save every person from their sins. That he, Jesus Christ, bore the shame of the cross and the wrath of God for every person so that all who call upon his name shall be saved.
Romans 10:8-11, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
DO YOU BELIEVE THESE THINGS? If you do not believe you will simply do nothing, but if you do believe, what action must you take?
First, you must realize that you have sinned against God. You must believe that no amount of your own good works or sacrifice can atone for your own sins. You must realize that all you deserve, (just as we all deserve), is death and the wrath of God. You must hate your sin and ask forgiveness for them in Jesus name.
• Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Second, you must believe that God loves you, who are his creation so much that he sent his sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, in the flesh, to live a sinless life and become the perfect sacrifice for your sin. That by his death and blood on the cross you are saved from the wrath of God by Jesus' righteousness. And that only in the name of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved.
• Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Third, you must believe that God through the eternal spirit raised Jesus Christ from the dead, so that you might live forever with him in glory.
If you believe these things then repeat the following simple prayer aloud to God in sincerity, and you shall be saved.
FATHER, please forgive my terrible sins against you in JESUS name. Please save me from my sins and make your holy Son, JESUS CHRIST, lord over my life. And place your HOLY SPIRIT within me that I may serve you humbly and acceptibly my whole life. In JESUS name I pray. Amen.
In Christ
J-me
(Next will be the Work of Faith)
copyright 2009 J-me
