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By: Gary Hutchens When a person develops true faith, based upon the truths he learns from God’s word (Rom. 10:17), he will naturally make up his mind to live in faithfulness. Jesus instructed, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Faithfulness exhibits faith that is being lived. To live faithfully (synonymous to living in faithfulness) is to live by the teachings of the faith. Faithfulness is the outward expression, the active demonstration, the power of one’s faith. Faith without faithfulness is “dead” (Jas. 2:14- 26)!
By: Gary Hutchens Probably, the most comprehensive definition of faith given in scripture is found in the Hebrews letter: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). The phrases “things hoped for” and “things not seen” have confused many people who misunderstand what is meant by those words. They see faith in God as being a blind belief without any objective basis. So, they declare such blind, baseless faith to be the believer’s only substance and evidence of what they hope for. In other words, they see Christian faith as an empty dream!
By: Gary Hutchens Real faith, as taught in the New Testament, is not primarily an emotional feeling. Nor is it a belief devoid of facts. New Testament faith, by definition, is based on real evidence. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Strong terms denoting a position of belief reached as a result of examining facts and proof.
By: Gary Hutchens The apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (Eph. 2:8). In his letter to Timothy he wrote, “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). Clearly, faith is central to salvation, but understanding the scriptures that teach about Christ is how faith in Christ develops within an individual (Rom. 10:17). What is Saving Faith?
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September 2022
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