Topical Bible: Faith: Produces Those Who are not Christ's Have Not

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Faith, within the Christian tradition, is a fundamental virtue and a gift from God that enables believers to trust in Him and His promises. It is through faith that individuals are justified and brought into a right relationship with God. The Bible presents faith as both a personal trust in God and an active response to His revelation.

Faith as a Gift and Virtue

Faith is described in Scripture as a gift from God, essential for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that faith is not a human achievement but a divine endowment, enabling believers to receive God's grace.

The Role of Faith in Salvation

Faith is the means by which individuals are justified before God. Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This justification is not based on human merit but on the redemptive work of Christ, accessed through faith.

Faith Produces Works

True faith is evidenced by works, as genuine faith naturally results in a transformed life. James 2:17 emphasizes, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This indicates that while faith alone justifies, it is never alone; it is accompanied by actions that reflect a believer's commitment to Christ.

Those Who Are Not Christ's Have Not Faith

The absence of faith is a distinguishing mark of those who do not belong to Christ. In John 10:26 , Jesus addresses the unbelief of some, saying, "But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe." This highlights that faith is a characteristic of those who are part of Christ's flock, and its absence signifies a lack of relationship with Him.

Faith and Spiritual Discernment

Faith also plays a crucial role in spiritual discernment. Hebrews 11:6 asserts, "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith enables believers to perceive spiritual realities and align their lives with God's will.

The Assurance of Faith

Faith provides believers with assurance and confidence in their relationship with God. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance is rooted in the trustworthiness of God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them.

Faith and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in nurturing and sustaining faith. Galatians 5:22-23 lists faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that the Spirit actively works within believers to cultivate and strengthen their faith.

Conclusion

Faith is a central tenet of the Christian life, essential for salvation and spiritual growth. It is both a gift from God and a response to His revelation, producing works that testify to a genuine relationship with Christ. Those who lack faith are not part of Christ's fold, as faith is a defining characteristic of His followers. Through faith, believers are assured of their hope and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives pleasing to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 10:26,27
But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fruitless Faith
... Living faith produces what I shall call separating works. ... not what he was nor will
he consort with those who were ... are not of the world, even as I am not of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/fruitless faith.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... is spoken of, faith in the promise must be added; and this faith produces sure
hope ... And this faith makes a distinction between those who obtain ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

General Character of Christians.
... "Salvation is of grace, through faith.". ... more is done to secure obedience from those
who are ... This produces a pleasing conformity to it""his commandments are ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xi general character of.htm

[Shewing] that Common and Saving Grace Differ, not Only in Degree ...
... longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ... perfect exercise
of those natural principles ... of influence actually produces something beyond ...
/.../edwards/treatise on grace/shewing that common and saving.htm

The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
... and His exercise of powers above those of humanity ... If like produces like, Christ
cannot be explained by ... The difficulties of faith are 'gnats' beside the 'camels ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the mistakes of christs foes.htm

Justification by Faith
... love, in that love to God which produces love to ... ways;" to demand, "Why didst thou
make faith the condition ... love; "and whom he will," that is, those who believe ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 5 justification by faith.htm

Faith and Unbelief.
... It finds justification, which produces a sense of pardon ... may and does gratuitously
help those who have ... Faith receives, not only the atonement and mediatorial ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxv faith and unbelief.htm

Whether the Effect of Christ's Priesthood is the Expiation of Sins ...
... Now the priesthood of Christ produces both these effects ... God hath proposed to be
a propitiation, through faith in His ... by Him: but in regard to those who either ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the effect of christs.htm

Article iii: of Love and the Fulfilling of the Law.
... faith even in good works [which the Holy Spirit produces in us ... For mercy cannot be
apprehended unless by faith, as has been repeatedly ... Therefore those who teach ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 6 article iii of.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... connection with Christ without a real union with Him by faith. ... 4. The life of Christ
in you produces the same ... But those who do this work are only following in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm