Faith

Faith is having a conviction, an assurance and a reliance on Jesus.

Joshua 24:15

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THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

This verse does NOT say nor implies that mankind has a “free will “, it does however mention something NOT being addressed. What do you do with other “gods”, are we to assume that there ARE other gods? He said “choose this day” yes, it is a command, a command does NOT imply any sort of natural innate ability, a command is a command, and they were commanded “…the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites…” freely, and they did, they were NOT forced. I believe a remnant were, and are faithful, but the most were not faithful as we discover in Judges, they went on to worship the Canaanites false gods and were worse. 

I believe there is a REVEALED will of YHWH and a HIDDEN/ SECRET will of YHWH. Deuteronomy 29:29.  

If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.

Joshua 24:5

Both sides of the fence in articles 1 & 4 acknowledge total inability but one ADDS a so-called prevenient grace, I ask you, where is that in Holy Scriptures? 

I see it like this, Joshua wasn’t able to bring them out of bondage but our Jesus being greater than Joshua is able to and has brought us out of bondage. YHWH makes us willing and thus we are given the ability to choose to obey. Some will, some will NOT, we don’t know which have ability, except and only after the command given is it revealed those who have this ability as well as those who are deficient. If you’re looking for fairness of YHWH, He doesn’t work in the way of fairness. He is Holy and works all things according to council of His will. 

Scripture teaches that we choose. In Hebrews 11:24-26, Moses is said to have made a choice: “By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” 

Do all people have faith, no, we are given the gift of faith so that we may believe and serve along with the rest of Gods people choosing freely, we are not forced, and those without faith will never choose to obey but will choose always to rebel, freely. Both choose willingly freely. 

This is not a debate but it is my belief and understanding of what scripture teaches. No one seeks after God. If God gives ability to you the person you will inevitably come to Him, serve Him and obey Him faithfully. We are sustained and persevere by the power of YHWH.  

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Amen!

Our Glorification

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Will We Be Recognized?

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

You heard it said, “be the better version of yourself” right? Well, there’s some truth to that statement but not in the way that you might think. As believers we one day will be just that, we call that “better version of yourself” glorification!

I’ve had discussions with brothers and the topic of glorification always comes up and the question I’m always asked is this, “will we recognize each other?”. “Are we going to appear as we look in this current state?”. Well according to the scriptures it does say in the Book of John 20:16, that we will be recognizable as ourselves. In verse 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!”.

Another wrong assumption by many is that we will be disembodied spirits in eternity. Will we have the same names in heaven as we do here on earth? The answer to those questions is yes not only that but our bodies will be glorified, our bodies will be eternal and indestructible.1 Corinthians 15:22-23, Philippians 3:20-21.

Freed From Sin

Our bodies will no longer be vulnerable or under the corruption of sins curse Romans 6:8-9. 1 Corinthians 15:42 Just like Jesus Christ, our bodies will be eternally sustained by resurrected life. We will be able to serve our Lord without the limitations of time and the effects of sin. We will not have any fear, injury, or threat, just righteousness and an everlasting life which our Lord has given us.

Imagine a life free from disease, deterioration, temptations, and depravity these will no longer plague our outlook on our living. We will never get over the experience and joy of metabolic perfection throughout eternity!

Clothed in White Garments

We will be clothed in white shining robes, The glorious clothing of triumphal joy. Just as the resurrection of Christ and his appearance in the transfiguration we will be like Jesus in our resurrected bodies We will be adorned with robes of splendor. Matthew 17:2.

Sons Of The Resurrection

Lastly, we will be a part of the “sons of the resurrection” who like the angels and “sons of God” cannot die! The celestial Life will be without existence of physical or spiritual death. Heaven will lose no one and no one will need to be replaced. Everlasting life, amen.

Is Your Profession of Faith True?

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THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

When we engage with others who profess faith in Jesus most of us take it for granted that it’s genuine. A sincerer profession may be true but a sincere profession does not equate to a genuine confession. Your profession of faith is contingent on your understanding of who Jesus is.

When Jesus was talking to His disciples He asked them “who do they say that The Son of man is?” Matthew 5 16:13 & 17. Later on Jesus directly asks Peter the same question “But who do you say that I am?”, Peter then responds, “You are the Christ, The Son of the living God.”. later we see that Jesus say, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven….”.

Jesus has claimed His being in John 8:58, Colossians 2:9, Isaiah 7:14. There are many other verses that confirm His being and who He is but for now this will suffice. The name Immanuel is literally “God with us” or “with us is God”.

Who Accepts Who?

When we engage with other professing “believers” and they say that They’ve “accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior” it rarely gets questioned and passed over. In John 15:16 Jesus said “I chose you”. He chose and appointed them at that time to bare fruit and in this age He has appointed us to bare fruit. Jesus is the one who accepts a repentant sinner upon confession and It is the sinner who receives forgiveness…Jesus is the one who does the accepting.

Your Faith Is Only Valid If The Object Of Faith Is Valid.

What is a valid faith? What does that mean? It means exactly what it sounds like. If the faith that you place is on any other Jesus then what has not been revealed in scripture, is not faith. It is not a dead faith it is no faith at all. Proverbs 3:5-6 , Hebrews 11:6. People say they know Jesus or know of Jesus, the first being Fiducia referring to personal trust and reliance and the other refers to an Assensus referring to a knowing of the content of the faith and yet not believing it to be true. Blessings and hope this clears some things for you.

The Light, Life, and Kingdom

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THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

I was thinking the other day of the Light that is in the world. This reference is found in John 1:4-5. This is not a lengthy explanation but hopefully a concise explanation. It reads, “In Him was life (Zoe: This word is used of the one who gives life, a life pertaining to the kingdom of Yahweh and ultimately the glorified life.), and the life (Zoe) was the Light (Phos: This word speaks of the presence of the divine Glory. This Light gives illumination, spiritual sight, truth.) of men. The Light (Phos) shines in the darkness (Skotia: This word speaks of spiritual blindness.) and the darkness did not comprehend it. Let’s look at Luke 17:21.

Jesus was standing in front of the Pharisees and explaining to them that the Kingdom was in their midst and that the “Kingdom” was not coming with signs. When our Lord came, He came humbly on a donkey as King! Mark 11:1-11, a King with a heavenly kingdom! Another example is when He speaks to Martha about Lazarus being resurrected John 11:25-27, she didn’t understand, she didn’t see that Jesus is the resurrection. If you read the story He acted in this way for their good so that they would believe.

Jesus is referenced in these short examples as THE KINGDOM, THE LIGHT, THE LIFE and THE RESURRECTION, of course there is the other referencing Him as THE WAY John 14:6! The Pharisees were in darkness. The Pharisees couldn’t see the Light, they were incapable to see Him as the Kingdom in their midst. They expected this King to come like an earthly king dressed in array but Jesus came as a humble servant.

The descriptions afor mentioned are of the person Jesus The King, The Way, Truth, and The Life!

Election and You

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THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

The doctrine of election is no easy truth to swallow, it can be a very uneasy truth. It is a truth that tells us that Yahweh determined on whom He bestowed His grace of election Romans 8:29. He acts independently, He acts definitively, according to His nature and for His good pleasure and glory! Isaiah 40:14-13, Philippians 2:13

There are those who mistakenly believe that Yahweh acts and responds on foreknowledge. If you think about that for bit you should realize that if this were the case then, He would be basing His actions on the will of man and not based on His Sovereign will. When we read The Gospel of John it says Yahweh acts by His own will and not the will of man. John 1:12 – 1:13

Election is revealed in all of scripture. The nation of Israel was not the only recipient in Scripture of God’s electing choice. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is called Christ, “My Chosen One” (Luke 9:35). The church is a community of those who were chosen, or “elect” (Ephesians 1:4).

The doctrine of election conflicts with the dictates of the carnal mind. It is repugnant to the sentiments of the unregenerate heart. And like the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the miraculous birth of our Savior, the truth of election, because it has been revealed by God, must be embraced with simple and unquestioning faith. (John Macarthur).

Yes, He decides and determined of every man’s destiny, and the controller of every detail in each individual’s life. Whether it is a vessel unto honor or a vassal unto dishonor Romans 9:18-22.

I’ll close with this, on this side of eternity we will not wholly comprehend this truth, but we likewise shouldn’t disregard this truth. It is a loving God who ordained to save at all a remnant. My hope and prayer are, you are drawn and called by name and elected unto salvation. John 6:44

Lazarus Come Forth!

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The true story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. John 11:1-44

Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, it was obvious what a great love He had for them but His responses and actions may have appeared contrary to those around him. In the opening He is told that Lazarus was sick, what did He do? He stayed an additional 2 days!

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

If we were told one of our beloved friends were sick we’d probably leave immediately, right!? Jesus did the opposite and for good reason. He said it was for His glory, did they understand this? He paid no attention to the possible danger of returning to Judea, the disciples thought Lazarus was just naturally asleeo but He told them their friend Lazarus was dead and that He was glad He waited and it so they would believe!

When Martha heard that Jesus arrived, she ran out to meet him, four days had already passed! after four days there is definitely a stench, with Jesus that doesn’t matter. She didn’t get it when He said Lazarus would rise immediately because He is the resurrection! Mary and Martha complained that He didn’t come on time, Jesus was deeply moved by them as well as the others because of lack of belief as well as their sadness.

When He finally got to the tomb, He called Lazarus by name specifically and Lazarus was “drawn” out, he was still bound hands, face and feet! Once in front of Him he told those around him to unbind him so that he can go!

I love this example of how dead we are without Jesus and how it takes a call by name to be made alive and drawn out! Jesus even shows how we are used to participate in the removal of bindings, in a sense a discipling of the one made alive can walk. All people are just as dead as Lazarus until called by Jesus! When called we are drawn out, remember Lazarus was bound and didn’t come out on his own effort or power!

When you are called you are called by name, to be made alive, it’s all Jesus, there is no resisting, only receiving! Praise Jesus for His calling us, making us alive for His glory!

How Are We Declared Righteous?

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THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

Just as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Galatians 3:6

Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

When the discussion arises as to how is one declared righteous, there really is only one correct and final answer, and the answer will always rest and be within the Holy scriptures themselves. Opinions do not matter only proper hermeneutics (Knowledge dealing with interpreting scripture). Biblically speaking there are doctrines throughout the Holy scriptures that are written in “plain text” easily understood and others with proper exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) can we then conclude with the truth in a particular doctrine.

On To The Declaration!

It is declared that it was counted as righteousness to Abram because he “believed”, it wasn’t merely an acknowledgment it was an established verified confirmed belief! This is a gift given by the Creator of the universe. It comes from Him and given to us! This righteousness is not our righteousness it is the righteousness that comes from God (Philippians 3:9) and is echoed again in Galatians 3:6 that Abraham had a personal trust and reliance belief, not merely a “Oh, I believe it” believability, a credence belief, it was a tangible genuine belief.

Do We Seek God?

The Holy scriptures state that mankind does not seek Him Psalms 14:2-3 “The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.” It is also written in Romans 3:10-12. We can read 1 Corinthians 2:14 where it says the natural man cannot accept or understand the things of God without the Spirit of God! So in short, The Spirit who is God needs to be in the person to have the ability to examine the word of God rightly.

Faith

It is through faith that one is declared righteous. The initial act of God drawing you to the Son is necessary John 6:44.