How Is It Possible To Have Authentic Biblical Faith?

I beseech you therefore, 

brethren, by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies

a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable 

to God, which is your reasonable

service. and do not be conformed

to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that

good and acceptable and perfect

will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

     Authentic Biblical Faith is one that has not been conformed to this world, to the culture of this world, and those who adhere to His word and apply His word in their lives are those who have Authentic Biblical Faith. As fallen creatures, totally depraved, in need of a Savior, we cannot become living sacrifices for God unless it is by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us: "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9). The Bible is absolutely clear about this issue of Authentic Biblical Faith and how one can be sure that He is one who has Authentic Biblical Faith, that is, you must have truly repented of your sinfulness, and fully, without reservation, believe upon Jesus Christ as your Savior, and as your God: you must belong to Jesus Christ. By belonging to Him, knowing that you are saved by Him, and that He is God, come to save you, then you put away worldly things, and you follow after the will of God, His will that is plain and clear in His word. It is only unclear if one adds to His word the culture of this world. We are to be a separate people: "Therefore, 'come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty" (2Corinthians 6:17-18; cf. Is. 52:11; 2Sam. 7:14). 

     One noticeable aspect of Churches that are cultural, or liberal, is the absence of the Creeds. In fact for most it seems that the Creeds are abhorrent, not used, not taught, even to the point whereby most "Christians" those who attend such Churches do not know they even exist. "Don't call me Creedal" seems to be the cry from those Churches. Oh! They preach tickling sermons, pleasing to hear, even going so far to call for decisions, and this is thought to be pleasing to God. How ridiculous! God makes it plain: if you do not believe that you are a total sinner, that somehow within you you can believe whenever you decide to do so, then there is no necessity for the Gospel. Jesus Christ died in vain! There is a faulty acceptance of God. Cultural Christians have little understanding of what the Bible teaches about the work of the Holy Spirit. They know of the Holy Spirit, even might call Him the third Person of the Trinity, but they do know Him and what Jesus Christ has done: He has saved you if you believe on Him and are converted, not just make a decision, for a decision is unstable, for it is changeable, but conversion is permanent. This conversion does not make you perfect, without sin, you are still a sinner, but your growth, your continued forward motion in sanctification is evidence of your conversion. And this you can do by the power of the Holy Spirit: that is if you allow Him to work in your lives. Yes! This means to become separated from this world. Yes! This means that you will be ridiculed, put down, persecuted, even killed. So what! It is God who saved you, not for this life, but for eternal life with Him. What can man do to you? Nothing! But you can do for them. You can make disciples, you can preach the Gospel. The Gospel is summed up in the Creeds, especially the Apostle's Creed. You should know it, and read it, and teach it, are recite it, thereby having the Gospel assimilated into your very being, this changes you causing you to be able to present yourself to God a "living sacrifice." Traditional Version:
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
     Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord;
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
     was crucified, dead, and buried; 
He descended into hell; the third day He rose
    again from the dead; He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
    from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; 
     the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
     the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
    and the life everlasting.
Amen.
     Creeds were written due to the influence of heretical views, they have been recited by Christians throughout the ages, except in Churches that depend on cultural theology. They allow this world to influence their preaching and teaching leading men, women, and children astray. These misconceptions as to what the Bible actually teaches is the root problem. This seems so incomprehensible when we consider the enormous price that Jesus Christ paid for our sin, for the sin of the world. We have adequate grounds to be Authentic Biblical Christians, but it will take courage to live as such, we must make decisions that are difficult, but necessary for ourselves, for our families, and friends, co-workers, etc. As Paul wrote: "but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that

good and acceptable and perfect

will of God.

Romans 12:2

For everyhone practicing evil

     hates the light and does

not come to the light, lest

    his deeds should be exposed.

But he who does the truth 

    comes to the light, that 

his deeds may be clearly seen, 

    that they have been done

in God.

                           John 3:20-21

All Of God's People: Lift Up Your Eyes To Heaven

Richard L. Crumb