The emphatic declaration of inspiration, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This passage, found in the book of Romans (10:17), shows with clarity only God could supply that our faith is objective. Faith is based not on our emotions or superstitions, but rather on the revealed will of the omniscient God of Heaven.
Calvin believed that salvation was in the realm of God, apart from any action of man. He reasoned that if God saved or condemned man according to His whim, then a man predestined to salvation could not endanger his safety by any activity, no matter how heinous it might be. With due respect to Mr. Calvin, Acts 8:4-25 clearly teaches otherwise.
This willingness of God to sacrifice His only Son for mankind, despite the rebellious nature of men, speaks to God’s nature and character. He did not do it because of anything man did to make it a desirable action. God did it because of the type of being He is. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love“ (1 John 4:8).
In John, chapter 16, Jesus spoke to His disciples of His coming death. In preparation for their imminent separation, Jesus prayed for His disciples, as well as those who would follow after them. This prayer is recorded in chapter 17.
Jesus Christ is the basis of our hope. Without his sacrifice on the cross, and his subsequent resurrection from the dead, we would be without hope.
Each of us needs to recognize the importance of a backbone in living the Christian life, that we might obtain the eternal reward promised to those who believe.
If the soul is eternal, and of great value, it stands to reason our Lord would instruct his disciples in how to prepare, that the soul might prosper in eternity. In the parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-15), Jesus does just that.
In Hebrews 12:12-15, the writer discusses the need for endurance. When our eyes are locked on Jesus, and we see the hope He has made available to us by His sacrifice, we are given strength to endure to the end.
Faith is inextricably tied in with the word of God. Scripture gives us everything we need to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). If we wish to have that faith, without which “it is impossible to please Him”, then we must immerse ourselves in the hearing of His word.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1, set forth a two-step process which is integral to a Christian’s “Walk By Faith.” First, subtract the filthiness of the flesh. Then, add righteous living (holiness).
One of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture, illustrating the exalted virtue of loyalty, is found in Ruth’s statement of love for her mother-in-law Naomi in Ruth 1:16-17. Certain aspects of this relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law strike me as especially notable.
The Hebrew word which is translated holiness in our English Bible is defined as, “A sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity…” (Strong’s). As such, it generally denotes something that is set apart from sinfulness. In effect, if a thing is holy it is sanctified, pure, whole. The term is used with reference to both God and man.
Paul nowhere intended to indicate that the gift of God’s grace gives us a free pass. It is indeed an unmerited and freely given gift, given to all mankind, but it is accessed only by those who are willing to claim it through an obedient faith.
We need to be careful about what we hear, lest we be “taken in”, and made fools. Jesus said something about this, encouraging his disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
