The Basis Of Faith

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel;

“Though the number of the children of Israel

be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved.

For He will finish the work and cut it short in

righteousness, because the LORD will make it

short work upon the earth.”
And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the LORD of the Sabaoth had left

us a seed, we would have become like Sodom,

and we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

Romans 9:27–29; Isaiah 10:22–23

            Paul in recording the words of Isaiah makes clear, very clear in fact that God will save a remnant out of the thousands in Israel, and also that if not that God leave a seed all men would become like Sodom and Gomorrah: destroyed. Why us? Because Paul is writing to not only those Jews of dispersion, but also, and mostly in this case because he is writing to those Christians in Rome who would be either Romans, or of some other nation other than Israel. If then, Israel being a nation chosen by God, a people according to His will and have His law, why are then not in total saved? Why is that those who are not Israel are saved when those of the Gentiles did not have the Law, or be of a nation chosen by God: “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness” (Romans 9:30–31)? That is a great question: Why? Paul gives the answer: “Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 9:32–33; Isaiah I:14; 28:16). Why? Faith; or a lack of faith; or faith that is based on other than truth; or even a lack of knowledge as to what is the definition of faith, and this is true of many Christians today: a lack of the knowledge of faith; its definition. This is the thrust of this blog; “Consider Faith…..”.

            The world, and maybe even you, have a definition of faith that follows the words of many philosophers, that faith has its base upon feelings. This seems to be the faith that many so–called Christian Churches follow for they elevate feelings, and supernaturalism, and if you have faith then you will have some ecstatic emotional feeling, leading to bodily movements that are erratic; much like those at the Woodstock Music event, in 1969, a monumental music festival changed our world. This is contrary to truth faith for true faith does not have as its base irrational feelings, and irrational feeling that makes for a leap rooted in those feelings that lead to the heart. If, feelings, a faith based upon feelings, then any religion that makes cause for such a burning of feelings in their very soul, would have validation as being true, that their belief system(s) is true. Feelings do not determine what is true and what is not true. Faith is simply a logical reasoned determination; that is, determined by knowledge, by what must be and this, based upon demonstrable evidence.[1] Does this mean that we must have empirical evidence to have faith? NO! Does this mean that we simply believe? NO! Faith is not a thing and it is not a simple one–sided thing for it has several facets. Faith has as its base a confidence or a truth in a person or thing. Example: You are driving down the road at, let us say, high speed. Your car, supported by four tires, it may be that they are new, in good shape, at least according to the eye. Possible, you looked to see that this is true. Traveling on those tires is a form of faith, that those who built those tires did so properly, and that they do not have some hidden flaw, and you do so in faith because there are others doing the same and they are not causing some form of harm: so you travel along in confidence. You have this confidence, a form of faith even though you did not see that these tires were safe, and you had faith in those who are making the tires, even though you do not know them. Your faith, based upon empirical evidence, but not necessarily in truth. On the other hand there is a faith, Semper Fi, became the Marine Corps motto in 1883, always faithful. Your faith, or faithfulness, based upon history, and a belief that others will do what is right in any situation. Yet, not based upon actual truth, rather upon history, and that others will keep their obligation. So then, faith may have its basis upon a code of ethics, or some standard of merit. Faith is not true because we believe it to be true. Here is an important fact: It is what we believe about truth, for this belief affects everything we believe, this belief determines our theology, and our theology determines our character, and our character determines our actions. There is a faith, moral faith, and this morality of faith to have within us an established character based upon our theology, then our theology by reason be based upon our beliefs, and this belief must be based upon truth. Therefore, it is then, truth, upon that which we base our faith. Question: How do we know what we know? Did not God Himself give us instruction to be able to defend our faith, that which we know and believe to be true (1Peter 3:15)? Then this is important to know truth for that is the basis for our faith, for true faith. If then, we are to be ready to defend our faith, that hope that is within us, when asked, we are not to just defend our emotional feelings, as though this is the basis for our faith, no, we are to be able to give truth, reasons based upon truth, not feelings. Everyone has feelings. Everyone and every religion have some association with feelings, but as stated: feelings are not faith.

            This then will be the thrust for the next blogs, faith, as this is what this blog is all about, our faith, to consider our faith and if necessary to make changes from the inside out.

How can a young man cleanse his way?

            By taking heed according to Your word.

With my whole heart I have sought You;

            Oh, let me not wander from Your

Commandments!

                                    Psalm 119: 9–10

Your are a witness for God

Richard L. Crumb

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[1] Retrieved from internet: http://www.royalrife.com/what_is_truth.pdf; December 2, 2013

The Sovereignty Of God

But indeed, O man, who are you

to reply against God?

Will the thing formed say to him

who formed it, “Why have you

made me like this?

Romans 9:20

            How often have we heard this cry: “Why have you made me like this”? Man has from the beginning of time have asked this question; and this is apparent by the various gods that they have formed, and the various theologies that teach, and follow. Men just do not seem to like the God of the Bible. Men do not like the fact that God would choose one nation over another in which His name and Himself revealed. Why; if they were god they would do things differently, they would not do it the way that the Bible says that God is and does. Well, they think that they would do differently, but, to do so they would need to be omniscient, all–powerful, eternal, outside the creation, as is God. They would need to know every contingency, every possibility, how one thing would act upon another and have the ability to direct and control the present and the future. Is this not the God of the Bible? Yes! So, why do people reply against God, the God of the Bible? Is this not God, who is sovereign, all–powerful, and providential? Yes! Why are we complaining against God: “Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor” (Romans 9:21)? Ah! Here is the crux of the matter: men want to have antinomy; they want to be sovereign over their lives, and they want to do things their way, so God is out, other than what god they form to meet whatever religious need they desire to have met. It is this very doctrine, the sovereignty of God, the elect being predestinated before the foundation of the world that many Christians object too, and then form another theology to fill their presupposition as to who God is, and not then, to follow what Scriptures so plainly teach. Ok! Here is some meat to chew on (That is if you are not to full from Thanksgiving dinner: HA!): “What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory” (Romans 9:22–23)? What about that? What are you to say about that! Do you believe that God is GOOD? Do you believe that God is sovereign? Do you believe that God has every right to do with His creation as He so wills? Did not God enable, and draw people for Himself? (John 6:44;65). Yes! Therefore; then, do we not see that not all of those who are of Hebrews are the only ones who will be saved, and that God foreknew those who He would save from all nations of the earth? Paul adds: “even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Romans 9:24). Do you feel that tug on your heart to follow God? It is the drawing of God, and this drawing comes by means of His word, the word of truth. Therefore, we are to not follow that which is not of the Bible and allow God to be sovereign in our lives. In the book of Hosea a prophecy was told about this very thing that God would do: “As He says also in Hosea; ‘I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ “There they shall be called sons of the living God” (Romans 9:25,26; Hosea 2:23; 1:10). We, Christians, are the ones chosen by God, to glorify Him as sons of the living God, just as Jesus glorified the Father: “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).

            Today, there are many pietistic movements that have undermined the word of God; those who have sought after things that are tickling of the ears, but lack the ruggedness of this reality: that God is sovereign, that God has chosen according to His will, and that we are not to reply against God in any way. Yet, they do attempt to reply by forming religious practices that are not of the Bible, those schools that teach some form of Supernaturalism (Although Peter did speak harshly against Simon the magician for wanting to but that which he had, some miraculous ability that Peter used in his preaching and traveling). What is provided to those attending such Churches is some pious atmosphere, but lacking the Gospel, that is the death of Jesus Christ, and have developed another gospel: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the name of grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to prevent the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6–7). Yes, this gospel taught by those seeking signs and wonders, and some form of piety are doing so in Christianity and use the Bible to prove their actions. Yet, to use the Bible out of context, to misuse that which God teaches is wrong: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). This gospel is not as the movie portrayed: “Jesus Christ, superstar.” No, there is not anything supernatural nor is it miraculous that preached in many so–called Christian churches that teach miracles, and supernaturalism. This teaching eliminates the cost of the passion of God, for the passion of God, stained with the blood of the Lamb is the true gospel, and false form of gospel does not have the mark of the Holy Spirit. This false form of the gospel is detached from the Person of Jesus Christ and puts piety upon people and this by doing practices that are not of God no matter how much the cry that it is. There is no speaking of regeneration, no being born again, only the idea that Jesus Christ is a pattern, and makes Him no better than a figurehead or a religion, an example. Jesus Christ is more, for He is the Savior, God Himself, incarnate in the Person of the Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of God who came to die for sin, and this He did, and this propitiation taken back and presented to the Father, and there Jesus Christ makes eternal intercession for those who He saved, those who God called, and chose before the foundation of the world.

            This is truth! This is what the Spirit of Truth Who indwells believers leads us, and directs us to glorify the Father, God. This is what Jesus Christ does, for He implants subjectively into us that which He did objectively: therefore, give thanks to God for choosing you and now go out into your world and glorify Him.

Now I know that the LORD

            Saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His

            Holy heaven with the

Strength of His right hand.

                        Psalm 20:6

Give Thanks To God

Richard L. Crumb

Giving Thanks

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!

For praise from the upright is beautiful.

praise the LORD with the harp;

make melody to Him with an instrument

of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song;

play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Psalm 33:1–3

            Each year this holiday presents itself as a day that we set aside to be thankful; this is so appropriate due to one special fact: we live in a country where freedom reigns. We may, and do have problems, but problems have solutions and we who live in this country have the right to solve problems and ensure our freedom. This freedom was born out of hard times, out of times when others would not allow us the freedom that our Constitution gives to the citizens of this country. Men who love God, even those who were of the Atheist persuasion saw the need for a country wherein people could live free. Men fought and died, women lost husbands and even children to defend our rights, and we, those who are the recipients of such dedication, this day, we celebrate what was given to us and to our posterity. Yes, I speak of the Revolution, but more than that, I speak of the time when before that day people celebrated freedom. This freedom gave to us the right to follow our faith(s) and to live in harmony with each other without fear of our government telling us what and whom we should believe. I am not promoting ecumenism, rather I am celebrating freedom. As a Christian, I celebrate not only this freedom won and given to us so that we live in a country where we can set aside a special day to be thankful. There is more: As a Christian and a follower of our God and Savior I am free, free indeed, my home is settled in heaven, a new world, a new body, an immutable life, and this freedom was won by Jesus Christ on the cross, and given to all those who believe in Him. As a Christian, we have liberty: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). On this special day; Thanksgiving take the time to turn your attention to this wonderful freedom and liberty, and be thankful that God in His Providence has guided history. He has aided men and women to form a country in which we can celebrate and be thankful for all that He has done, especially that He sent His Son to die for our sins, and that He has given to us the Holy Spirit to indwell in us. We are thankful, and more, we are, as Christian reminded on this day that we are to turn from the fleshly and carnal things of this world. At this time we take special time to serve one another; especially those who through various circumstances cannot enjoy this day as many do: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). On this special day, a day in which we can take special interest in others, especially those of the faith, our brothers, and sisters. Invite the ones who may be alone, or have little income and have a need, a need for the love and kindness that we as children of God are to give to our family, our family of God: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up is heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1John 3:16–19).

            Take time to be thankful, sing praises to God, and do this with others, celebrating not only the freedom we have in the United States, but more, the freedom we have in God. In all God has done for you and for me, by providing for our needs, and for allowing us to celebrate Him. Thanksgiving is more than eating turkey, although this is good, (I like it), it is a time that we have together, and to celebrate the love between family, friends, and our Savior who loved us to death: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He love us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so love us, we also ought to love one another” (1John 4:9–11). Now this is something to be thankful for, and to celebrate, singing praises, and enjoying what God has done: it is more, and more, and more, all that we have, all that we will have in Him.

            As we prepare for this special day, is there anyone that you could invite that may be alone, or in poor financial state? Will you show the love, the love of God, to others, to those less fortunate? It is not too late to do so. Take the time. It will be so worthwhile, so thankful to those who you extend the love of God too: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well” (3John 4–6).

            Enjoy! HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

            For brethren to dwell together

In unity!

                        Psalm 133:1

Give thanks to God

Richard L. Crumb