What Is True Faith?
This is a long, profound answer. Be patient. You can understand each part of it. Our Lord will reward you as you persevere.
Answer:
True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word,
but also an assured confidence,
which the Holy Ghost
works by the gospel in my heart;
that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation,
are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.
True faith is not just certain knowledge,
"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James 2:19
But also an assured confidence,
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
"This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him." Ephesians 3:11,12
As the Apostle Paul prayed: "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father . . . that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints,
what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19
Question: According to these verses, how can my life change as the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel?
An assured confidence,
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being
justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in
Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23,24
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
Which the Holy Spirit works in my heart.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23
As Paul was preaching in Philippi on the Sabbath, "A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics,
a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul." Acts 16:14
Question: Has the Holy Spirit opened your heart to believe the gospel? What fruit of the Spirit is He growing in your life?
Which the Holy Spirit by the gospel works in my heart.
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God,
God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:20-24
God has freely given to me remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.'" Romans 1:16,17
"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance,
so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. Hebrews 10:35-38
These things are freely given to me, merely by grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace
through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Romans 3:23,24
As Zacharias said of Jesus, "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our
God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us. Luke 1:76-78
Question: the word "grace" means unmerited favor, it means
being given something that I do not deserve. As you have read these
Scriptures,
what favors have you seen that God has done for you? Thank Him for what He has done for you.
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