Faith Sees The Nature of The Object

For to this you were called,

Because Christ also

suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that you should

follow His steps:

1 Peter 2:21

     This discussion on the object of our faith has been considering the objections to this Doctrine and has been shown and distinguished acts of faith that is the direct and the reflex act of faith. The term direct act of faith we embrace Christ as Savior; by the reflex act, is that which arises out of the consciousness of believing, in other words, we believe that He loved us and died for us, further, we believe that nothing can ever separate us from His love. These two acts are inseparable. How is this? It is that there is no separation as the cause and effect, the antecedent and consequent, nor are they separate in time or in the conscience of the believer. So what are they? They are on different elements of this complex mechanism that is involved in accepting Christ as He is offered in the Gospel. We find that there is no separation either in joy or gratitude for such favor to be granted to the children of God. These things are revealed in the consciousness of the believer as the very nature of the act. We cordially and gratefully accept the promise made to all those who accept and embrace this object of or faith, our salvation. This acceptance needs to be clarified so that a wrong impression be left to the mind for we accept but not because of ourselves for John so aptly writes: "Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (john 6:29).  No belief in God or in the object of saving faith unless God participates in order to save you: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44).  As a side note here, those who wish to believe in the so-called "rapture" have a difficult time with their doctrinal position for Jesus clearly stated that it is the "last day" in which men are raised. It is always clear, in context interpretation that is needed to deepen our faith and understanding of all that God has done for His children. As an example of the general promise made to all those given to His Son (John 6:39); as a criminal upon his confession of his guilt is pardoned and everyone who also makes confession of their guilt knows that the promise of pardon is made to him. The Sinner exercises saving faith, repents of his sins, and believes that for the sake of Christ, the One who paid the debt he owed, is pardoned and accepted by God. Jesus Christ loved him and gave Himself for him. In the founding document, the Heidelberg Catechism it is said in regards to saving faith:

"Q21. What is true faith?

Answer: It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel, that, not only to others, but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ's saving work." 

     It is not that faith implies assurance. It is the nature of the object seen, not the clearness of the vision, it is that the soul believes, not the strength of its faith. John Calvin wrote: "When the least drop of faith is instilled into our minds, we begin to see the serene and placid face of our reconciled Father; far off and on high, it may be, but still it is seen." An example may be of the one who is in a dark dungeon and sees a ray of light.  This light is not the same as broad daylight, but he knows it is light. So that the penitent believes is that God for Christ's sake is reconciled to him.  It may be dim and doubtful vision, but he apprehends that truth, that it is upon that truth where his trust lies and is stayed.

     I will not allow this teaching to be just that, a teaching without proof, so the next blog will be the subject of proof and all that is involved in the appropriation of this general promise.

All flesh is as grass,

     And all the glory of mans as

The flower of the grass.

    The grass withers, 

and it s flower falls away,

    But the word of the LORD

endures forever.

                              1 Peter 1:24-25

May the grace of God be upon you

Richard L. Crumb

Question: Is The Sinner Required to Believe That God Loves Him?

But you, beloved,

building yourselves 

up on your most holy faith,

praying in the Holy Spirit,

keep yourselves 

in the love of God,

looking for the mercy

of our Lord Jesus Christ

unto eternal life.

Jude 20-21

     Some have questions as to whether or not God is the object of saving faith, that He has been reconciled to us, that our sins are forgiven, and that we are the objects of His love. Previously we discussed another question, as to the life we live and its place in our faith according to Christ and his ransom, and as to whether or not we receive Him in any special office or in totality of Himself as our savior. As to salvation the Roman Catholic Church adheres to a belief that it is the whole revelation of God that is the object of faith.  Protestants would not agree to that statement for it is contended that Jesus Christ and the promise of redemption is through Him and Him alone. The Roman Catholics would argue against the Protestant position as they find it to be contradictory to say that we are pardoned because we believe, yet, in the same breath they  would admit that is is correct to say that our sins are already pardoned and that is what one should believe.  Now, those statements may be somewhat confusing so they will be elucidated and attempt to remove any disconcerting misapprehension. Upon examination of the Roman Catholic Churches' position there will be found a belief that the only proper object of faith is some revelation of God, and that nowhere is it revealed that we are reconciled to God individually, or that our sins are pardoned, or that we are the objects of that special love which God has for His own people. 

     The Reformers would, rightly so, say that a distinction is to be made between the remission of sin, de jure, or from or by means of its legality already obtained through the death of Jesus Christ. Now this is correct for there is a necessity for a forensic justice to be applied to man because of sin. A hard but a necessary look at sin will reveal that sin is not something alone that we do, and that it is, but more, it is that we have, by means of our federal head, Adam, threw, as it may be stated, our selfish self into the very face of God, ignoring that He is God, and that He had and has given His law and the effects if that law would be set aside in order to follow one's own thoughts and desires. That law demanded, and that by God Himself is death. But by the efficacious death of Christ, who became the federal head of mankind making the remission of sin to be de facto, therefore He brought into existence the payment that forensic payment required by God, death, and applied that payment to us. In the first sense it is the object of faith, for remission of sin was obtained by the death of Christ. Secondly, we entreat God by asking, therefore it is by faith and that faith has as its object Jesus Christ. Faith is the instrumental cause of justification and must proceed it.Sin then is no longer credited to me but I must believe and no longer walk in sin for all that was needed was credited to my account and in faith I apply that remission of sin and the new life that is obtained by means of that remission of sin and this is by faith, and the object of that faith is Jesus Christ, and that by the authority of God who in His mercy willed that certain ones would become His children.  We know that we are children of God by our demonstration and application of love, and that because God has enabled us and drawn us to Himself. It is the irresistible faith given freely by God that we respond and accept Him and the work applied to all that Jesus has been given and all that He came to save.  


     This is such a big subject that I am breaking into to blogs so that each blog can be examined and assimilated.  


Now to Him who is able to 
     keep you f rom stumbling,
and to present you faultless
    Before the presence of His
glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, 
    who alone is wis,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
both now and forever.
                 Amen
                      Jude 24-25


Richard L.Crumb

In Faith Alone Doies One Receive Jesus Christ

For yet a little while,

And He who is coming

Will come

And will not tarry.

Now the just 

shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure 

in him.

Hebrews 10:37-38

     It is to be admitted that Jesus Christ is the immediate and special object of those acts of faith that secure salvation. This fact is evident throughout Scripture, yet, there are those who love to raise questions and do so in regards to salvation by asking; Whether or not that it is in Christ in all His offices that we are saved or just one or a few? Here it is being asked in regards to justification or justifying faith. The Bible does not ask or speak to such a question by suggestion or any other manner. The Bible solidly states that a person receives Jesus Christ and Him alone.  That being so then it is in all the offices of Jesus Christ, as priest, deliverer, the one who can take away sin and overcome the dominion of Satan, further can remove a person from all the apostasy from God. A person who receives Jesus Christ takes Him as his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He takes Him as his God and Savior, in completeness as the One who can satisfy the very longing of those who are chosen by Him and is their life-giving portion of their souls. 

     Is this a complex formula for salvation? No! All that there is to salvation is the acceptance of Jesus Christ in all He is, no analysis is necessary and assumptions to be made for it is in our submission to Him and that submission is possible for God has so clearly stated that it is by Him enabling and drawing to Jesus those He has preordained to eternal heavenly life with Him (John 6:37,44, 65). It is those who are given to Jesus Christ and He will never lose any of those given to Him. Unfortunately there were with Jesus some disciples, in fact many, who having heard Him speak such words walked away and followed Him no more. Will this be true of you? Does this teaching of Jesus spoil your beliefs and practices? Will you walk away or will you examine the Scriptures? There is no suggestion that a person is to take Jesus Christ in any other manner for He is offered to us as a source of life, and glory, and blessedness, as the supreme object of adoration and love. As such, He is joyfully accepted. 

He brought me to the 

     Banqueting house,

And his banner over me

    was love.

                     Song of Solomon 2:4

May God Bless As You 

Prepare for Sunday Services

Richard L. Crumb