That is the faith the Catholics solicit through their sacrament system. Billy G. does the same calling for "decisional regeneration". It all starts in the wicked flesh that can do nothing but sin.
How Free Will Turns the Gospel into Law and Grace into Works.
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by 1689Dave, Jul 16, 2019.
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To me, there are two types of faith...
The faith that was authored and finished by Jesus Christ ( Hebrews 12:2 ), that is the evidence of the believer's salvation and receipt of the gift of eternal life ( Hebrews 11:1 ), that was delivered to the saints ( Jude 1:3 ) and not to all men ( 2 Thessalonians 3:2 ), is a fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-23 ) and that, in the end, is yet another of the many gifts ( Ephesians 2:8 ) given by the Lord to His children.
It is "of the Spirit" and "of Jesus Christ" ( Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:22 ).
Then there is the "faith" that is produced in an unbeliever that gives assent to a set of perceived facts and that, when trials and tribulations arise, fails to hang on to that which it formerly "believed in". It is a trust in someone or something, but it is not a deep and abiding trust that weathers the test of time.
It is not Holy Spirit-induced faith, but rather, carnally-induced, in the minds of men who trust in something or someone they do not genuinely know.
It is "of the flesh".
True faith is not of the will of men, but is a gift given by the will of God.
Man's will in trying to "work up faith", or in "having faith" in any other way than it being a direct gift from God, leads to a gospel that is not fully of grace.
Why?
Because if God provides the ability to believe to all men ( if they only hear the Gospel ), it makes God's decision to "beget" someone reliant on the man's choice, and not His choice.
It renders part of James 1:18 as not being true, but a lie.
How?
" Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." ( James 1:18 ).
It intrudes upon His will, by making His decision on who to give the new birth to, dependent upon man's will.
It denies His right to pardon whom He will, and to punish whom He will.
In effect, it crosses the line into works, by mixing man's efforts with God efforts...from an "operative effort" to a "co-operative effort".
To me, that violates Romans 11:7-8 quite clearly.
It also violates Ephesians 2:9.
May He bless you richly with all things, sir.:) -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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“And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:22 (YLT) -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Translated into English as "faith", "faithfulness", "belief", "to believe", "believe".
Which was given in the behalf of Christ to those who believe in Philippians 1:29.
Delivered to the saints in Jude 1:3.
Given as a gift in Ephesians 2:8, and which we are saved through.
Authored and finished by Jesus Christ in Hebrews 12:2.
The substance of things hoped for the and evidence of things not seen in Hebrews 11:1.
That comes by the word of God in Romans 10:17.
That we are being built up in, in Jude 1:20
That we are established in, in Colossians 2:7
That God counts as righteousness in Romans 4:5
...and that which we do the will of God and good works by and through, in all of Hebrews 11.:) -
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Thanks @1689Dave, for the many passages that attribute the miracle of faith back to God, and not to ourselves, and for the many passages that show the Lord urging His sheep to cast themselves upon Him, by and through that amazing gift.:)
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The word, in the Greek, only varies slightly according to context and usage.
The concept, "saving faith" or the faith that is the evidence of being saved, is maintained thoroughly.
The faith.
The faith of God's elect.
The faith that comes by "hearing" the word of God.
The faith that endures to the end.
The faith that accompanies a changed heart and will...the evidence of being born again and having the Holy Spirit.
I love how it tracks back through His word and circles around, making it all of Him, yet again.:Cool
" that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." ( 1 Corinthians 1:31 ):Notworthy -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
This thread is closed.
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