But that no man is justified by the law in the
sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall
live by faith.
Galatians 3:11
In previous blogs I wrote about faith and that faith, if it is faith, must have an object. People of all walks of life have faith, at least faith in something, all faith is neither evil or bad. Faith can accomplish many great things, both by those who are Christian and those who are not Christian. To hold to a belief that faith is that which helps you may be a starting point yet faith is not that which helps you in the end, it is the object of that faith. Faith is something of a temporary nature and can be corrupted and even destroyed. Example: You have faith in your car that when you go to the grocery store it will take you there and back home again. On the way the car stops, its engine stops running and this object of your faith has just in some way is decimated: your faith in your car is reduced to almost nothing. Faith has as it basis, its foundation an object if it is to be true faith and you must have, if it is true faith, conviction of the object if it is to be an object of trustworthiness. Yet, as in the example of the car it was not as your faith had come to believe, that it was an object of trustworthiness so your faith then was false faith. As stated even false faith can be able to accomplish many great things: example: We have something that we all use and that is a light bulb. Have you read how many times it took to be able to produce a light bulb? It took faith and belief that a light bulb could be produced and it did not take a Christian to do this, no, anyone who had faith in the ability to make something or do something is faith. A problem exists with faith if there is no scrutiny as to the object of that faith, and whether or not this faith has its basis in truth. If a person avoids this scrutiny then faith might be destroyed. Faith is essentially dogmatic. Faith has an intellectual component, that component is in your mind and your faith that some person, or object (i.e., car) will do something for you. If a person or an object (i.e., car) really does something for you, then that faith is true, or at least will prove to be untrue. If your faith is in the benefits of this world the world will make the faith true even though with all it produces it still remains a pathological phenomenon. Sooner or later it is sure to be found out.
The type of faith above, a faith that has as its object things, things of this world, or some intellectual belief it must be removed so as to make room for true faith. This must be done as faith is often based on error, and yet, we must understand that all faith as some basis of truth. What then is the true object, that which has all trustworthiness? It is Jesus Christ. This is the Christian view especially the view of Authentic Christians. Faith of this type cannot be earned. How much should a person do to receive faith, or this gift of faith? We cannot measure how much even if we say that the amount is different among people: we still do not know how much.
What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? First, it is faith and/or belief simply in Jesus Christ, His birth, His life, His death on Calvary, His ascension, and that He has by means of the Holy Spirit inspired to be written that which we must come to know about Him, the Father, and how we are to live to please God. Does this mean then works how we receive faith? No! As above shows for faith brings about good works but is not the basis of faith. Salvation is a free gift of God: PERIOD!
Do you have faith that God implanted into a virgin, Mary, Himself? This does not mean that God divided Himself, rather God who is Spiritual, another being than human man entered into the womb of Mary: do you have faith in this narrative? Do you have faith in God that He would condescend Himself to become a man just so as to pay this debt owed to Him? Do you have faith that Jesus Christ grew as a baby into a young man and then when reaching adulthood preached about Himself, and, went about healing people? Do you believe that Jesus from a few fishes and loaves of bread fed some 5000? Do you have faith that Jesus rose from the dead? Do you have faith that some 500 people saw Him ascend into heaven? Do you have faith that Jesus will come again? Do you have faith that God will change you from mortality to immortality and that you will live eternally?
This faith, true Authentic Christian Faith begins with the conception, birth of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. Christmas time is a very good time to assess your faith. Faith, your faith, has it grown stronger, or is it about the same as it has been? Have you taken time to scrutinize your faith? Paul admonishes us to study to show ourselves a workman approved by God, and to test all things and hold on the good. How can this be done without taking time to scrutinize what you believe, that which you put your faith? To not do so is to have faith that is a blind faith. It might make you feel good, and maybe sound good, that which which is teaching you, but is it like the car that you have put faith only to be disappointed for this object did not prove to be faithful, or a true basis for your faith. Apathy reigns in the lives of most people, especially when they have just accepted what seems to be good, that which seems to be true faith. Apathy does nothing good. Inertia does not turn a park car.
Christmas, a wonderful time of the year (even if it is not the true date of the birth of Jesus...), a time to reflect upon God, His promises and see for yourself that He has always been true, true to His word: therefore, you have an object that is trustworthy. Jesus fulfilled all that God spoke about Him in the past: therefore you have a trustworthy object. Oh.........!!!! You won't know if your faith is true faith unless you take the time to find out for yourself. Will you? Or, will Christmas just being another fun time, gifts, food, family, time off work, etc., that which it has become leaving the true reason for the season left in a dust of ashes. Christmas will lose its glamor until the next Christmas Season, will this be true of your faith?
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD:
for I am married unto you: and I will
take you one of a city, and two of a family,
and I will bring you to Zion: and I will give
you pastors according to Mine heart, which
shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:14-15
Authentic Christian Faith: It can be yours
Richard L. Crumb
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