We believe that we are saved by having faith in Jesus. What does that really mean? Does it mean that I have a mental acceptance that Jesus is God and Savior or does it mean more? Does faith in Jesus include believing in Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior and following all that He taught and commanded? What constitutes real and salvific 'Faith in Jesus'? Your thoughts please.
What does 'Faith in Jesus' Mean to You?
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Does faith in Jesus include believing in Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior and following all that He taught and commanded?
it means more, absolutely yes !!! including following or obeying the commandments, jesus was teaching the commandments himself in the temple and said they would never be abolished!
matthew 5:17-20 (NKJV)
17“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Peace,
JF
it means more, absolutely yes !!! including following or obeying the commandments, jesus was teaching the commandments himself in the temple and said they would never be abolished!
matthew 5:17-20 (NKJV)
17“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Peace,
JF
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Real salvific 'Faith ----is a substance ---it produces and receives -------Grace makes available Salvation ---our Faith in what Jesus accomplished on the Cross Jesus receives it -----Faith is our title deed for the things we hope for ---Hope is in the future ---you don't see what you hope for till Faith brings it to you and it is manifested in this physical world ----- God created this world by SPEAKING Faith Words -----
God said then God saw what he said ----His faith creates -----and receives --it is a working Faith -----
Faith without works is dead Faith -----
Hebrews 1 AMP B
The Triumphs of Faith
11 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
God said then God saw what he said ----His faith creates -----and receives --it is a working Faith -----
Faith without works is dead Faith -----
Hebrews 1 AMP B
The Triumphs of Faith
11 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
Faith is making a decision to follow Jesus based solely upon hearing the knock upon the door of one's heart. One then proceeds to continue onward, walking in this light that He has shown upon the path. We come by faith, and we walk by faith.
Jesus calls us to follow just like He called his disciples to follow. He calls us by name.
John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
.
Jesus calls us to follow just like He called his disciples to follow. He calls us by name.
John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
.
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The term for faith is the same for believe.
The word for Faith ie Ephesians 2
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The term used throughout the gospel of John is translated "believe, believeth, believing, believed" is the same.
We can see how the Bible uses it in contrast to works when used in the context of salvation.
"For By grace are ye saved through faith and THAT, not of yourselves.."
Grace and faith are connected when salvation is the subject. These are not of ourselves. There's nothing required of ourselves, such as Works.
What is making Jesus the Lord of our lives?
Works
What is giving our life to Christ?
Works
Pat Robertson used to have a list of at least 5 different works that sounded spiritual, but were not Biblical. "Promise to serve Him all the days of your life."
Lots of works...
Turning from sins?
This is just another way of saying give up any given sins, which is works no different than my Catholic background taught.
There are many works, but faith in Jesus is a rejection of those works . It is looking to Him as the sole Person of our faith. We don't mix a little baptism in, "just in case" or the many commands that God gave to those who were ALREADY SAVED.
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Romans 11:6
Praise the Lord for that or I'd be lost already this week. ☕😄👍
The word for Faith ie Ephesians 2
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The term used throughout the gospel of John is translated "believe, believeth, believing, believed" is the same.
We can see how the Bible uses it in contrast to works when used in the context of salvation.
"For By grace are ye saved through faith and THAT, not of yourselves.."
Grace and faith are connected when salvation is the subject. These are not of ourselves. There's nothing required of ourselves, such as Works.
What is making Jesus the Lord of our lives?
Works
What is giving our life to Christ?
Works
Pat Robertson used to have a list of at least 5 different works that sounded spiritual, but were not Biblical. "Promise to serve Him all the days of your life."
Lots of works...
Turning from sins?
This is just another way of saying give up any given sins, which is works no different than my Catholic background taught.
There are many works, but faith in Jesus is a rejection of those works . It is looking to Him as the sole Person of our faith. We don't mix a little baptism in, "just in case" or the many commands that God gave to those who were ALREADY SAVED.
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Romans 11:6
Praise the Lord for that or I'd be lost already this week. ☕😄👍
Our thoughts don't matter. What are God's thoughts on this subject?
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something the human mind could have concocted. And that is why there is so much confusion about this. But God has not left us to be confused. He wants all people to know HIS THOUGHTS about this critical matter.
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something the human mind could have concocted. And that is why there is so much confusion about this. But God has not left us to be confused. He wants all people to know HIS THOUGHTS about this critical matter.
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It means more, but nothing all that complicated. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:30
Belief means we believe who Jesus said He was; that he died for us and rose again because we're sinful and in need of a savior.
But faith in Him means we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him in obedience to the Father. Our only purpose in this life is to please the Father. This seems to be a difficult concept for many modern Christians. We do this (however imperfectly) through the help of the Spirit of Christ in us. We can never please the Father through our own works. We obey the Lord's command to be baptized as soon as possible, without putting it off. Baptism is God's way for us to die to self and arise in newness of life in Christ. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " John 4:6
We study His word: "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' " John 8:31-32
Belief means we believe who Jesus said He was; that he died for us and rose again because we're sinful and in need of a savior.
But faith in Him means we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him in obedience to the Father. Our only purpose in this life is to please the Father. This seems to be a difficult concept for many modern Christians. We do this (however imperfectly) through the help of the Spirit of Christ in us. We can never please the Father through our own works. We obey the Lord's command to be baptized as soon as possible, without putting it off. Baptism is God's way for us to die to self and arise in newness of life in Christ. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " John 4:6
We study His word: "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' " John 8:31-32
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Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him
must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile.
must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile.
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Magenta, I agree with what you say. But, what is faith. Since it is so critical to our salvation, what does 'Having Faith in Jesus' mean and how do we apply this faith to our lives, especially our daily living. It's imperative that we have a good grasp of what 'Faith in Jesus' really means. Is it just an intellectual acceptance of Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior or is it more than that?
I've often thought about this and similar issues. "Pist", the Greek word stem is usually, if not always, translated "faith". This word tends to invoke a feeling of mysticism/ spirituality - quite possibly because of its association with the "religiosity" of the 1611 KJV.
I used to think the word was synonymous with "belief". Now I'm not sure. It seems there may well be more to the word than that straightforward translation.
It seems that "having faith in Christ" means more than merely believing that He is the sinless, propitiation for sin, but rather having a trust in Him to meet requirements.
I'd be interested in having more light shed on this and expressions like "believing in/ on Christ", by others who feel inclined to offer their input.
I used to think the word was synonymous with "belief". Now I'm not sure. It seems there may well be more to the word than that straightforward translation.
It seems that "having faith in Christ" means more than merely believing that He is the sinless, propitiation for sin, but rather having a trust in Him to meet requirements.
I'd be interested in having more light shed on this and expressions like "believing in/ on Christ", by others who feel inclined to offer their input.
He is Real!
He is God!
when i was young and believed in Santa, Easter Bunny, Cupid, ect... i was convinced they were real.
with Yeshua, i am even more convinced He is real by what i have Witnessed in my life. He has given unto me a Testimony that only I can know for certain He is Real, still Alive, and God of my being.
and i will add, He is STILL giving me more Testimony by what He continues to do that only I can see and understand that it is Him doing it!
but i am only able to See and Witness His Blessing because my Faith in Him is genuine and true!
He is God!
when i was young and believed in Santa, Easter Bunny, Cupid, ect... i was convinced they were real.
with Yeshua, i am even more convinced He is real by what i have Witnessed in my life. He has given unto me a Testimony that only I can know for certain He is Real, still Alive, and God of my being.
and i will add, He is STILL giving me more Testimony by what He continues to do that only I can see and understand that it is Him doing it!
but i am only able to See and Witness His Blessing because my Faith in Him is genuine and true!
Whereas I or others could have a personal revelation, as others speak of, or experience things which we deem to be miracles, I don't think anything can replace the Bible as reliable in the matter of Christian guidance.
As Paul said in 2Tim3:26, "All scripture is profitable for teaching, etc." - somewhat paraphrasing.
the Word of God is like a Map to show examples that we ourselves should be experiencing. maybe not the same way as we read but nevertheless something that is happening we can relate to in a similar manner. a Miracle is not a revelation but a confirmation. when the impossible beyond human capability or reason happens several times that is letting you know God is communicating by letting you understand He is with you and protecting you until you fulfill the Purpose He has for you.
every time i've experienced what should have been tragedy where no human could stop what was happening but turned out to be a Testimony tells me a couple of things.
1. God has a Purpose for me and my Purpose has not been completed.
2. Satan knows God has a purpose for me and desires that Purpose to not be fulfilled.
when we read the Word of God we are reading the Miracles and Experiences happening in real lives. we are living real lives and should be Witnessing similar Acts of God so if we were writing things down it would be similar to what we read, just in a modern day format.
every time i've experienced what should have been tragedy where no human could stop what was happening but turned out to be a Testimony tells me a couple of things.
1. God has a Purpose for me and my Purpose has not been completed.
2. Satan knows God has a purpose for me and desires that Purpose to not be fulfilled.
when we read the Word of God we are reading the Miracles and Experiences happening in real lives. we are living real lives and should be Witnessing similar Acts of God so if we were writing things down it would be similar to what we read, just in a modern day format.
in the Bible there are four accounts of Christ and his life on earth it’s called “the gospel “ it’s a true record of his time with us he came to tell us the things man didn’t know about him.
salvstion comes from hearing and believing the gospel it’s recorded in the gospel according to Matthew , the gospel according to mark , gospel according to Luke and gospel according to John
to have faith one simple need to start hearing and believing what you can of the gospel that’s what will give us faith to hear and believe the gospel that’s recorded in scripture it includes Jesus birth , life calling and annointing to preach the gospel to mankind beginning in Jerusalem it records his teachkngs and miracles and his death and resurrection on our behalf Also it tells us what happened after he was raised from the dead when he was ascended into heaven and later seen by two disciples in heaven
faith comes from hearing the word of God the word of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ recorded in four detailed accounts
Jesus sent the gospel out beginning in Jerusalem out to all the rest of the world consider what Paul is saying here about the principle of faith you have to hear something before you can know and believe it
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:13-17 KJV
see the language “ saved “ is about man being saved from sin and death the only place God has actually offered this gift is here in Jesus word
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
that’s the word of faith and life and salvstion Jesus preaching is why he came to earth people who really want the truth will listen to him
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
John 18:37
faith is simple brother when you start hearing and believing the gospel your having faith planted in your heart it’s teaching you about Jesus. When we start learning we don’t know it all yet Jesus holds us accountable only for what we know only what we really have heard and understood of the gospel so at first this is enough
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
if one believes this in the beginning they are on the path they are going to be saved by faith but then they hear more they hear something like this
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:46-49 KJV
now John 3:16 doesn’t make this irrelevant this is there to teach us , edify us so we can start to learn and stand up and walk
to simplify we just have to start hearing and accepting the gospel the rest is something Jesus does by his spirit we just can’t reject things we don’t want to hear like this
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3 KJV
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32 KJV
We tend to deny the things we don’t want to hear but embrace the thkngs that we enjoy “ your going to be saved “ everyone wants that “ you need to repent of sin and change your ways “ not many want to hear that part but they work together they create faith as we accept the thy kings he’s explaining and saying
it’s God speaking Salvstion into our hearts we just have to heed and hear
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
every time we hear and learn something from Jesus on the gospel we’re growing in faith
salvstion comes from hearing and believing the gospel it’s recorded in the gospel according to Matthew , the gospel according to mark , gospel according to Luke and gospel according to John
to have faith one simple need to start hearing and believing what you can of the gospel that’s what will give us faith to hear and believe the gospel that’s recorded in scripture it includes Jesus birth , life calling and annointing to preach the gospel to mankind beginning in Jerusalem it records his teachkngs and miracles and his death and resurrection on our behalf Also it tells us what happened after he was raised from the dead when he was ascended into heaven and later seen by two disciples in heaven
faith comes from hearing the word of God the word of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ recorded in four detailed accounts
Jesus sent the gospel out beginning in Jerusalem out to all the rest of the world consider what Paul is saying here about the principle of faith you have to hear something before you can know and believe it
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:13-17 KJV
see the language “ saved “ is about man being saved from sin and death the only place God has actually offered this gift is here in Jesus word
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
that’s the word of faith and life and salvstion Jesus preaching is why he came to earth people who really want the truth will listen to him
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
John 18:37
faith is simple brother when you start hearing and believing the gospel your having faith planted in your heart it’s teaching you about Jesus. When we start learning we don’t know it all yet Jesus holds us accountable only for what we know only what we really have heard and understood of the gospel so at first this is enough
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
if one believes this in the beginning they are on the path they are going to be saved by faith but then they hear more they hear something like this
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:46-49 KJV
now John 3:16 doesn’t make this irrelevant this is there to teach us , edify us so we can start to learn and stand up and walk
to simplify we just have to start hearing and accepting the gospel the rest is something Jesus does by his spirit we just can’t reject things we don’t want to hear like this
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3 KJV
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32 KJV
We tend to deny the things we don’t want to hear but embrace the thkngs that we enjoy “ your going to be saved “ everyone wants that “ you need to repent of sin and change your ways “ not many want to hear that part but they work together they create faith as we accept the thy kings he’s explaining and saying
it’s God speaking Salvstion into our hearts we just have to heed and hear
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
every time we hear and learn something from Jesus on the gospel we’re growing in faith