About Faith

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Faith Is the Victory 

In his sermon on 1 John 5:4-6,  ‘Through the Bible’ series, J. Vernon McGee  reminds us of several important truths about faith.  The Greek word νίκη nikē, which is translated ‘victory’ is only found once in the entire Bible. It is found in 1 John 5:4 where we are told that…

FAITH IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD.

Pastor McGee shared that when he was called to preach, God called him to live by faith, not by fighting, and he went on to use the illustration of how in the OT book of Joshua, the walls of Jericho fell when Joshua, by faith obeyed God rather than fighting as generals ordinarily do. The point he makes is that we, the saints are not equipped to overcome the world by fighting in our own strength. Only the Holy Spirit Who is received by faith in Christ can lead us to victory over this world and over sin.

By Faith

The word ‘faith’ is found twice in the Old Testament, but numerous times in the New Testament. The message of faith, however, is firmly established under both the old and new covenants. 

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

Abram believed YHWH, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, called the faith chapter, teaches how Old Testament saints lived by faith. In the New Testament we learn that…

By Faith We Are Saved

Jesus said so! Remember when the very religious Pharisees invited Christ to dinner. Sadly they considered the Christ of glory less worthy than their own works. They did not greet Him honorably and wash His feet as was the custom with guest one considered worthy. But a sinful woman entered the room and anointed Jesus’s feet. She washed them with her tears in sorrow over her sins…

And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50.

Later all the apostles taught us that we are saved by God’s gracious gift through FAITH.

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)…For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:5, 8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

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