Tuesday, October 13, 2015

A Faith That Is Authentic: Not Just A Word

O give thanks to Jehovah;
call on His name;
make His deeds known among
the peoples. Sing to Him: sing 
praises to Him; tell of all His 
wonders. Glory in His holy name;
let the heart of those who seek
Jehovah rejoice. Seek Jehovah 
and His strength; seek His face
without ceasing. Remember His
wonders that He has done; 
His miracles, and the judgments 
of His mouth.
Psalm 105:1-5

     For a person who declares himself/herself to be a Christian that person must have Authentic Christian Faith so that their thanks to Jehovah, to call upon His name; to make known His deeds, to glory in His Holy Name, to seek Jehovah, and to remember His might works, all takes Authentic Christian Faith. A faith that is not Authentic cannot be, will not be, accepted by Jehovah. Why, if done in a faith that is not Authentic Christian Faith then it is done by means of a faith that is more about the person professing faith in Jehovah than actually having a true and Authentic Christian Faith. Notice that I am using "Jehovah" instead of "LORD." Some will object, some will not use this name "Jehovah" for they associate it with Jehovah Witnesses. You, if you are an Authentic Christian with Authentic Christian Faith are a witness of Jehovah. I find that the word "LORD" is not fully understood and does not accurately translate the Hebrew word translated as Jehovah. The God of the Bible is referred to by several names, and the greatest of those names is "I AM!" (Exodus 3:14), and the tetragramaton can be translated as "Jehovah," or "Yahweh," and as a name we can fully know God by His name and not be just some title, as in "LORD," or "God," which is not altogether bad, but does not carry the truth of translation. All religions have a "god(s)" so when we say "God," a non-believer will not really know what God we are speaking of, but when we use the name of God from the Bible there is definiteness and lack of confusion. All religions speak of "faith," to have "faith," and they do, so then faith is a word that must be defined as to its basis, its foundation, that which it is based upon, and this is what is being done in these blogs, bringing forth the truth of Authentic Christian Faith, its basis, its foundation. Faith is just a word without any meaning other than some esoteric meaning for a select few, or group who have some special interest. One can say they have faith, and this may be true, but to just say that  word, faith, is not to have any real impact, it is just what a person wants either to believe themselves, or to have others just believe their word.
     EXAMPLE: A person standing close to a walking bridge over a deep canyon may say that they have faith that if they were to walk over that bridge they would be safe to do so, they would see others walking over that bridge without difficulty and even believe that they could do the same, they say they have faith. Nice to say, but, that faith is only a word without proof that they have faith. Many say they have faith in Jesus Christ, but this faith is without any substance, it is internally recognizes by that person but has little or nothing to do with reality. Now, to say you have "faith" that this walking bridge is safe, a person must walk over that bridge demonstrating their faith by action, now that word "faith" has real meaning" "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him" (James 2:14). Like the person standing at the edge of the bridge crossing a canyon saying that he/she has faith is just talking: "Even so faith, if it hat not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, 'Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works" (James 2:17-18). As the old saying goes: "Action speaks louder than words." 
     Authentic Christian Faith is not some blind faith in a God who has not revealed Himself,we have a foundation for our faith as God has revealed Himself and not be just some title of God, rather as the Great I am, Jehovah, Yahweh, the God of the Bible. 
     The faith of some has been so shaken over things that they do not understand, or will not take the time to understand, such as the Trinity, so often denigrated, and those believing in a Trinity are denigrated, as foolish people, and even give an argument that the Bible does not have the word "Trinity" in its pages, therefore to say that there is a Trinity is foolish. Is it? Bad argument if carried out into other parts of life, if that argument is true when it does not have proof that the lack of that word is stating that God does not exist in Three Persons and is not three separate Persons, when what has been revealed in Scripture connects the Three Persons as to be one, is to hold to a belief that is based upon a false presupposition. The word Trinity is anathema to many people who will not look to the light of Scripture and will remain in darkness for in that darkness they do not have to live according to the truth that God, the Godhead requires from them; faith in Him: they can live as they please. 
     Knowledge will not save you, but will add to your arsenal of proofs so that your faith is based upon a true foundation, leading you to an Authentic Christian Faith, one that is active in all of your life, faith is more than just a word, a feeling, it is alive, and is seen by all who see you that your faith is not a blind faith leading you to act in ways that are according to Scripture, not for yourselves, rather for the Glory of God who has freely giving to you faith, not of yourselves to you can boast of you being so good, and godly, no, rather a faith in an unseen God, a God who has revealed to you by His word, that He is the Great I AM, Jehovah, and that He has spoken by the prophets and those whom He inspired to write so that your faith is not just not blind, it is Authentic and by this authenticity you bring glory, not to yourself, rather to God who has called you, enable you, and given to you this free gift of Authentic Christian Faith. 
     Our responsibility is to work out this faith in our everyday life, our work, our play, at home, and by this glory is given to our Great God and others will want to know how to have this faith and by this you now can bring the Gospel to them whereby the faith so freely given by the Great I AM will be given to them: what a blessing to be used by the Great God Jehovah, the Great I AM. 

Jehovah has brought forth
     our righteousness: come
and let us declare in Zion
     the work of Jehovah 
our God.
                Jeremiah 51:10

Work our your faith: Make your election sure

Richard L. Crumb
 

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