The New Testament words “belief” and “faith” are very inadequate!
Because of what the whole NT teaches, it is readily apparent that ONE word is completely insufficient to describe what “belief” and “faith” really mean! We know that a mere intellectual belief in Jesus and the gospel will not save anyone. But also, is just a deep heart-felt “belief” enough to save anyone?
Initially ● When believers first receive the Holy Spirit through God’s free gift of mercy/grace, they receive everything >>> reconciliation, justification, righteousness, (positional) sanctification, holiness, salvation … everything!
But this is critical ● Our free-will co-operation with the Holy Spirit is critically important during our (continuing) sanctification. We read in the NT that believers are tested to prove their faith is genuine! Our initial salvation is a free gift, but we see a lot of warnings in the NT that IF our righteous standing (i.e. salvation) is not maintained, it can be lost. So, let’s not focus on our initial receiving of salvation;
instead let’s focus on the end of our salvation process!
NT “believe” means continuing belief
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
So, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!
“… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe]
in Him should not perish but have [present tense: continue to have] eternal life.” (John 3:16)
NT “believe” and “repent” are 2 sides of the same coin
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as opposite sides
of the same coin. Repent means to turn from one’s allegiance to sin and unbelief,
whereas believe means to place one’s trust in Christ. Thus, when one is mentioned
the other is implied … John never used the words repent, repentance, or faith
to describe the way people are saved. Instead, he used believe since this term
included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Many NT verses teach the following spiritual Truths
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
E.G. “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous
just as He is righteous … In this the children of God and the children of the devil
are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God”
(1 John 3:7-10)
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
E.G. Those who are righteous in God’s eyes are …
“(slaves) of obedience leading too righteousness” (Romans 6:16)
“… only we who believe can enter His rest … but those who first
heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.”
(Hebrews 4:3-7) ... This is saying: disobedience = unbelief.
Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
E.G. “IF we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” (2 Timothy 2:12)
“… the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
(Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13)
Believers keep salvation by repenting of their sins
E.G. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“… whoever confesses and forsakes them (sins) will have mercy.”
(Proverbs 28:13)
Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
E.G. “God’s will is for you to be holy … live in holiness and honor …
God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. So, anyone who
refuses to live by these rules is rejecting God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
Believers must love, forgive, not judge or condemn
E.G. “… forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us …
IF you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But IF you refuse to forgive others, your Father will NOT forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:12-15)
Believers must be victorious overcomers
E.G. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
(Revelation 3:21)
Jesus overcame sin, the world, and the devil.
John wrote about overcoming only “the world” of non-believers (1 John 5:4-5)
Believers must have some fear of the Lord
E.G. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:28)
“… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
(Philippians 2:12)
.
Because of what the whole NT teaches, it is readily apparent that ONE word is completely insufficient to describe what “belief” and “faith” really mean! We know that a mere intellectual belief in Jesus and the gospel will not save anyone. But also, is just a deep heart-felt “belief” enough to save anyone?
Initially ● When believers first receive the Holy Spirit through God’s free gift of mercy/grace, they receive everything >>> reconciliation, justification, righteousness, (positional) sanctification, holiness, salvation … everything!
But this is critical ● Our free-will co-operation with the Holy Spirit is critically important during our (continuing) sanctification. We read in the NT that believers are tested to prove their faith is genuine! Our initial salvation is a free gift, but we see a lot of warnings in the NT that IF our righteous standing (i.e. salvation) is not maintained, it can be lost. So, let’s not focus on our initial receiving of salvation;
instead let’s focus on the end of our salvation process!
NT “believe” means continuing belief
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
So, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!
“… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe]
in Him should not perish but have [present tense: continue to have] eternal life.” (John 3:16)
NT “believe” and “repent” are 2 sides of the same coin
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as opposite sides
of the same coin. Repent means to turn from one’s allegiance to sin and unbelief,
whereas believe means to place one’s trust in Christ. Thus, when one is mentioned
the other is implied … John never used the words repent, repentance, or faith
to describe the way people are saved. Instead, he used believe since this term
included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Many NT verses teach the following spiritual Truths
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
E.G. “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous
just as He is righteous … In this the children of God and the children of the devil
are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God”
(1 John 3:7-10)
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
E.G. Those who are righteous in God’s eyes are …
“(slaves) of obedience leading too righteousness” (Romans 6:16)
“… only we who believe can enter His rest … but those who first
heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.”
(Hebrews 4:3-7) ... This is saying: disobedience = unbelief.
Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
E.G. “IF we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” (2 Timothy 2:12)
“… the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
(Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13)
Believers keep salvation by repenting of their sins
E.G. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“… whoever confesses and forsakes them (sins) will have mercy.”
(Proverbs 28:13)
Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
E.G. “God’s will is for you to be holy … live in holiness and honor …
God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. So, anyone who
refuses to live by these rules is rejecting God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
Believers must love, forgive, not judge or condemn
E.G. “… forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us …
IF you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But IF you refuse to forgive others, your Father will NOT forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:12-15)
Believers must be victorious overcomers
E.G. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
(Revelation 3:21)
Jesus overcame sin, the world, and the devil.
John wrote about overcoming only “the world” of non-believers (1 John 5:4-5)
Believers must have some fear of the Lord
E.G. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:28)
“… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
(Philippians 2:12)
.
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