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THE
NECESSITY OF FAITH
“…Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
It is not a natural attribute of man to believe God’s Word. It is impossible
for man to believe in and trust God’s blessed Son Whom he has never seen
and does not know. It is natural and only possible for man to trust himself,
which is not faith and leaves man with a false hope that will necessarily
fail and in the end be his destruction. God Almighty is not pleased with
those that look to themselves and ignore Christ. If we ever come to God
we must come with faith in Christ alone, leaving all hope and trust in
ourselves behind. Although this is impossible with man, it is possible
with God. Thank God, He provides that which He requires. Salvation is
of the Lord! Faith is a gift of God - “For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Eph 2:8.
Faith in Christ Jesus comes with Spiritual life in the regenerating work
of the Holy Spirit. This God-given faith is not merely a mental agreement
with historical facts. True faith in Christ is a living faith with heart
and soul - “Whom having not seen (Jesus Christ), ye love; in Whom,
though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable
and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation
of your souls” 1Peter 1:8-9. The means whereby God gives faith
is by His Word - “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God” Romans 10:17. The Word of God is the revelation
of Christ in His redemptive work. His Word is only made effectual by His
omnipotent Spirit. There is no pleasing God apart from faith in His Beloved
Son. There is no coming to Christ without faith in Him, which is not a
work of the flesh. It is rather a supernatural work of God’s free, irresistible,
sovereign, loving grace shown toward otherwise helpless, hopeless, impotent,
chosen sinners.
Did
I say chosen? Yes, I purposely did! Eph 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 1Peter 2:9;
Re 17:14.
- Tommy
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