horsecamp;40916Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though theyspeak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,'' theysay, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.''They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working,creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``Ibelieve.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, becausethis is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anythingfrom it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this`faith,' either.
Faith is something that grows and become stronger. A new believer should simply believe. It is alright just to have enough faith that small to bring them to a place that they have accepted Christ and want to know Him more. This really is sufficient for the moment.
Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes uscompletely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits,our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit withit. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, thisfaith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn'tstop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyoneasks, it already has done them and continues to do them withoutceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is anunbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and goodworks, even though he does not know what faith or good works are.Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with manywords.
I am reminded of the Apostles and their decision to stop the Jewish Christians from placing too much burden on the Gentile Christians. The Jewish Christians were trying to conform the Gentile Christians to their religious customs, including circumcision. The Apostles came up with these simple things for them Act 15:19 "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, Act 15:20 "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality,[fn4] from things strangled, and from blood. Though Martin Luther's heart is in the right place, a new believer may find themselves overwhelmed with all the "works" that prove their faith...faith without works is dead...very true, however let us not forget that the young in Christ should be learning the word that their faith might grow as faith grows so does the fruits of the Spirit grow, we become to know what works are and to perform them.Work without faith is dead...very true, however let us not forget that the young in Christ need to focus solely on learning the Word and not being distracted by the church or others placing on them a demand of performance in order to be a "proper" Christian.it would be entirely too easy to become "super-religious" just as the Jews were who were trying to convert the Gentile Christian to their custom without a well balanced process of knowing the Lord and learning His word.
Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy,joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. TheHoly Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, youfreely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serveeveryone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God whohas shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible toseparate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light fromfire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guardagainst good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enoughto define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools.Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever withoutfaith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.
As we become more mature in Christ, as we have learned the elementary principles of Christ:

r 6:1 THEREFORE, leaving the discussion of the
elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

r 6:2 of the
doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. these are the milk supplements of Christ and all babes in Christ should know these before moving onto

r 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil...the understanding of Grace is born through the elementary priniples of Christ...these are what brings the joy. Let us not place burdens on the babes in Christ by expecting works before faith has truly taken root. All things will come in His time, His way.....blessings