Romans 4:16-25 "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the Law, but to that also which is of faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before HIM WHOM he believed, even GOD, WHO quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as thought they were. Who against hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; he staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD;
And being fully persuaded that, what HE had promised, HE was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on HIM that raised up JESUS our LORD from the dead; WHO was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Faith is only as valid as its object. One could have tremendous faith in thin ice and drown. Conversely, one could have exceedingly little faith in very thick ice and yet be perfectly secure. The GOD of our salvation is faithful, dependable, and completely trustworthy. HE will neither cast out nor turn away anyone who comes to HIM (John 6:37 pictured above). No one who believes in HIM will be disappointed or put to shame (Romans 10:11). Anyone who rests upon HIM will find a rock-solid foundation (1st.Corinthians 3:11 pictured below).
Faith does not save anybody -- the SAVIOR does. However, faith puts a person in the place where GOD can save him, and GOD will only save those who believe (1st.Corinthians 1:21). The LORD never asks us to trust our faith; HE instructs us to trust the SAVIOR and look to HIM (Isaiah 45:22 pictured below)
Our faith is no good unless it is rooted in JESUS CHRIST. A person once asked a lady, "Are you the woman of great faith?" She answered, "No, I am the woman who has a little faith in a great GOD." Faith is not working for my salvation, but it is resting upon the work of ANOTHER (v.5). Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out to receive GOD's gift of eternal salvation (Ephesians 2:8). We are saved if we believe; we are condemned if we do not (John 3:18 pictured below).
Faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a leap out of darkness into the glorious light of the Gospel of CHRIST (2nd.Corinthians 4:4-6). Whereas sinful men declare their independence from GOD, faith is my Declaration of Dependence. The Apostle Paul manifested his faith when he said, "For I believe GOD, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25). The person of faith is fully persuaded that what GOD has promised, HE is able also to perform (v.21 2nd.picture from the top of post). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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