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| Biblical Teachings by Ralph E. Griffin Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ |
| What Is Faith? Faith, as described in the Bible, is the substance of things hoped for, with evidence of things not yet seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) Faith is believing in something that you have not seen yet. To explain it in layman�s terms, when you first get a job and go to work, until your first pay check, faith is at work. You have faith that come pay day you will receive your reward for the work you have done. In faith pertaining to Jesus Christ, there is also a pay day coming that you will just simply have to believe in and that is faith. Where does our faith come in? In our good deeds? No. In the works of our hands? No. But in our faith in Jesus Christ and His works. Living a sinless life, and fulfilling the law to every degree, He gave himself as the ultimate and final blood sacrifice for our sins. He paid it all. So, why are we then subject to such ordinances as touch not, taste not and handle not? (Colossians 2:21) The Bible says a little leavening, leaveneth the whole lump. In literal terms, leaven means yeast, by applying a little yeast to a lump of flour, it spreads all the way through it causing the whole thing to rise. Thus, a little leavening leaveneth the whole lump. (1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9) Spiritually, what he is talking about is a little sin in the body makes the whole body sinful. But also, in your speech a little lie or an untruth cancels out whatever good things have been said. In modern day terms, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. So, why is it then that we hear so many sermons with ninety percent truth and ten percent leavening? The Bible teaches us that there is freedom in Christ Jesus. (John 8:36) If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free in deed. You might ask, free from what? Free from the curse. What curse? The Law (Levitical). For he who is under the (Levitical) law, is under the curse of the (Levitical) law. The curse being to ever be mindful of the (Levitical) law and what is legal for them to do. (Galatians 3:10-13) The (Levitical) law is not of faith, but those who believe in Christ Jesus and His works are under the "law of faith." So, being of faith, we are not under the (Levitical) law, making all things legal for us, but it is not expedient that we do them. (1st Corinthians 6:12) The only law a Christian is under is the Ten Commandments. God said in these last days, that He would write His laws on the contents of the tables of our hearts. (2nd Corinthians 3:3) So, we are only under obligation to Christ. Any time we go to do something or think something that is wrong, the Holy Ghost will reveal that to us. Then, if we continue, it becomes sin to us. The Bible says for him to knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17) The Bible also says, anything that is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) So each of us, from time to time, do sin. The Bible says if we say we have no sin, we make God a liar, and His word is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1st John 1:8-10) By now you have probably noticed that verse and chapters of scriptures are included for each remark and explanation of them. I strongly recommend as you go through these teachings, to have your Bible in hand and prove through the scriptures that the things that you are being taught here are the truth. As we said before, the truth will make you free. How can a man preach freedom in Christ Jesus and ten minutes later, put you under the bondage of laws, which a lot of times are not even included in the Levitical Laws. Jesus said, (Matthew 15:8-9) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, but in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And also, (Matthew 24 starting in verse 4,) Jesus said, take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. These warnings should not be taken lightly. All through the New Testament there are many warnings against being deceived. The Apostle Paul said, (II Timothy 2:15) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. How can we worship God in spirit and in truth, if we don�t know what truth is? Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) When the Bible says, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. It is not only speaking of the truth-truth, but also of Jesus not being in us. It is our job to stand in defense of the gospel and to spread the word of truth, which is the true Gospel. (Philippians 1:15-17) Some in deed preached Christ, even of envy and strife and some also of good will. One preached Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add afflictions to my bonds. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. Paul, as all the others of that day, has passed on. But, his writings God has preserved for us, for all past and future generations that we might know the truth and be free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Genesis 1:1 begins by saying, In the beginning, God. We have to believe that by faith or there is no need in continuing on with the rest of the Bible. By faith, we believe that God is and He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) To bring better understanding of why we, as Christians, are not under the Levitical Law is, the Gentiles were �never� under the Levitical Law. They were, however, and still are under the law of the Ten Commandments. The Levitical Law was given to the Israelites to reveal sin and to make a way of covering their sins one year at the time. But Jesus has taken the law out of the way, nailing it to His Cross with Him. (Colossians 2:14) There are a lot of man-made laws and commandments being preached for doctrines that have nothing to do with the way of Christianity. But for those that are pleased being bound up in them, that is good enough for them, for the Bible says that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) It is up to you as an individual to either live under bondage, which is not of faith; or, the freedom which is in Christ Jesus, which is of faith. I hope that you will continue in your Bible, and prove all things regardless of where you hear them, so that you may know the truth and live happily in it. For Jesus did not come to this world to condemn it, for the world was condemned already. He came to seek and save that which was lost. I pray that these teachings have encouraged and strengthened you in your faith and walk with Jesus Christ. May God bless you and keep you forever in the spirit of truth. 12/4/02 |
| What Is Faith? |
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