Coconut
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Messages
- 4,663
Faith... Superstition, Tradition, or Conviction?
Does God really exist? What must I do to be saved? Is salvation for eternity or can I lose it? Now that I am saved how am I suppose to live my life? If you asked ten different people you may get up to ten different responses. How are you to know the truth of the matter. Truth is a statement of fact. God is truth. There can only be one God and one truth, everything else is false. So for each of those questions listed above there can only be one correct answer, everything else is a lie.
There are two sources where you can find theses answers. Man or God? God is the ultimate authority so that is where you must go for the answers. God has provided man with a source, His written word. 2Timothhy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That said, God has also provided man with pastors and teachers and has instructed the members of the body of Christ to use their gifts in edifying the Body of Christ.
Romans 12:4-8 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Each person has different talents, strengths, and weakness and should use their gifts to the best of their ability. No matter how lowly you may feel your service (ministry) is, God honors all things done for Him and frowns heavily when other try to exalt themselves or put your ministry down.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
You must be careful in your study of God's word and filter everything you hear through the scriptures. Remember if the word of men contradicts the word of God, God is always right. Also many of the truths in the Bible can only be spiritually discerned. This is accomplished by the intercession of the Spirit working in the believer. Diligent study and prayer are the only path to spiritual growth.
1Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Though pastors and fellow believers may be a good source of learning they should not replace God's word for your source of doctrine. Many people fall into the trap of believing something because of tradition, it just feel right, their pastor believes it, the family has always believed in that, they read it in a book, their friends believe it, the experts say so, etc. God requires faith in Him. This is not faith in Him but faith in man. Faith is an absolute, you either have it or you don't.
What is faith and how do we get it? Vines describes faith as a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing the word of God. So faith is simply not believing something but believing something because its based on the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith in the new testament always refers to faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. Faith is an acknowledgment of God's word. Faith is always in God himself not necessarily his promises. It is important to study the word of God so that we may have a solid foundation to stand on. If we get our beliefs from others, we learn what we want to believe not necessarily what is true. Who is the authority? Scripture, man, the church, tradition. God is the only true authority. To have true faith you must believe something not because some else said so but because you know it to be the true Word of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By grace we receive salvation. The only thing required of us is faith.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Our faith is believing in Him. The foundation of faith must come from the word of God. God made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have life. The only thing required is our faith in God. Nothing else is required but to trust Him.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
As you can see faith is not something mystical. You do not wake up one morning and discover suddenly you have faith. It takes the word of God.
Col 1:4-6 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
God is revealed to us in the Scriptures. Scripture is the living Word of God. If you do not study the scriptures (hear God's word) you will not know God or his will for you. God will be like a stranger to you. He will be like an inanimate object. How then can you trust a complete stranger for your salvation. Eternity is at stake here!
Romans 10:11-14 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Scripture is the key to life. It opens the door to our salvation. It gives us the knowledge of God and the great sacrifice he made on the cross in our behalf. How he sent his only son to die our death. The innocent dying for the guilty. If not for God's infinite love we would be a lost race without any hope, doomed for eternity. If we do not study the word of God,
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
we will be like a blind man. We will not be able to discern fact from fiction.
Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even --Christ--
Scripture grounds the believer in sound doctrine. It gives him the armor necessary "to stand against the wiles of the devil " to turn aside the fiery darts loaded with the poisons of deception .
Ephesians 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
One of the names for Satan is angel of light. One of the reason he is given this name is because he seasons his lies with a touch of truth to make it more palatable for the unsuspecting. He will use every trick in the book in his attempt to thwart Gods plan. Though Satan will not succeed in his attempt, sadly there will be many causalities. It is important we get our doctrine from the scriptures not from man.
Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged."
If we believe something because someone persuaded us our belief is in that person. If we were persuaded once we can be persuaded again to believe something else. The bible tells us everything we need to know.
1Th 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
Tragically many people tenaciously hang on to their beliefs despite God's word to the contrary. So is your faith in God based on superstition, tradition, or conviction? Study the scriptures and put on the whole armor of God and protect yourself from Satan's fiery arrows. Don't be a casualty of the war.
-Grace Points
Does God really exist? What must I do to be saved? Is salvation for eternity or can I lose it? Now that I am saved how am I suppose to live my life? If you asked ten different people you may get up to ten different responses. How are you to know the truth of the matter. Truth is a statement of fact. God is truth. There can only be one God and one truth, everything else is false. So for each of those questions listed above there can only be one correct answer, everything else is a lie.
There are two sources where you can find theses answers. Man or God? God is the ultimate authority so that is where you must go for the answers. God has provided man with a source, His written word. 2Timothhy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That said, God has also provided man with pastors and teachers and has instructed the members of the body of Christ to use their gifts in edifying the Body of Christ.
Romans 12:4-8 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Each person has different talents, strengths, and weakness and should use their gifts to the best of their ability. No matter how lowly you may feel your service (ministry) is, God honors all things done for Him and frowns heavily when other try to exalt themselves or put your ministry down.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
You must be careful in your study of God's word and filter everything you hear through the scriptures. Remember if the word of men contradicts the word of God, God is always right. Also many of the truths in the Bible can only be spiritually discerned. This is accomplished by the intercession of the Spirit working in the believer. Diligent study and prayer are the only path to spiritual growth.
1Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Though pastors and fellow believers may be a good source of learning they should not replace God's word for your source of doctrine. Many people fall into the trap of believing something because of tradition, it just feel right, their pastor believes it, the family has always believed in that, they read it in a book, their friends believe it, the experts say so, etc. God requires faith in Him. This is not faith in Him but faith in man. Faith is an absolute, you either have it or you don't.
What is faith and how do we get it? Vines describes faith as a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing the word of God. So faith is simply not believing something but believing something because its based on the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith in the new testament always refers to faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. Faith is an acknowledgment of God's word. Faith is always in God himself not necessarily his promises. It is important to study the word of God so that we may have a solid foundation to stand on. If we get our beliefs from others, we learn what we want to believe not necessarily what is true. Who is the authority? Scripture, man, the church, tradition. God is the only true authority. To have true faith you must believe something not because some else said so but because you know it to be the true Word of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By grace we receive salvation. The only thing required of us is faith.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Our faith is believing in Him. The foundation of faith must come from the word of God. God made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have life. The only thing required is our faith in God. Nothing else is required but to trust Him.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
As you can see faith is not something mystical. You do not wake up one morning and discover suddenly you have faith. It takes the word of God.
Col 1:4-6 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
God is revealed to us in the Scriptures. Scripture is the living Word of God. If you do not study the scriptures (hear God's word) you will not know God or his will for you. God will be like a stranger to you. He will be like an inanimate object. How then can you trust a complete stranger for your salvation. Eternity is at stake here!
Romans 10:11-14 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Scripture is the key to life. It opens the door to our salvation. It gives us the knowledge of God and the great sacrifice he made on the cross in our behalf. How he sent his only son to die our death. The innocent dying for the guilty. If not for God's infinite love we would be a lost race without any hope, doomed for eternity. If we do not study the word of God,
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
we will be like a blind man. We will not be able to discern fact from fiction.
Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even --Christ--
Scripture grounds the believer in sound doctrine. It gives him the armor necessary "to stand against the wiles of the devil " to turn aside the fiery darts loaded with the poisons of deception .
Ephesians 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
One of the names for Satan is angel of light. One of the reason he is given this name is because he seasons his lies with a touch of truth to make it more palatable for the unsuspecting. He will use every trick in the book in his attempt to thwart Gods plan. Though Satan will not succeed in his attempt, sadly there will be many causalities. It is important we get our doctrine from the scriptures not from man.
Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged."
If we believe something because someone persuaded us our belief is in that person. If we were persuaded once we can be persuaded again to believe something else. The bible tells us everything we need to know.
1Th 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
Tragically many people tenaciously hang on to their beliefs despite God's word to the contrary. So is your faith in God based on superstition, tradition, or conviction? Study the scriptures and put on the whole armor of God and protect yourself from Satan's fiery arrows. Don't be a casualty of the war.
-Grace Points
