Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(This is the scripture, that I’m convinced, that Jesus used, to save me.
It doesn’t say, saved by faith, but rather, by grace, but then it says through faith - by grace through faith - so, what then, is faith?)
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
(For example, Jesus made two invisible things that are understood by observing visible effects: gravity and magnetism.
We drop something and it falls because of gravity, we all know this because we’ve all observed this.
But what is gravity? Gravity is an invisible interaction between two things which have mass.
Each thing with mass draws the other thing with mass, to itself, hence they both draw each other towards each other.
The gravitational strength is proportional to the mass of each, but weakens by the distance apart, squared.
Magnetism and electricity are completely related to each other.
e.g. magnets spinning past copper wire coils generates alternating electric current in those wires, in hydroelectric dams.
Also, generating electric fields generate perpendicular magnetic fields, which then generate perpendicular electric fields, etc, etc.
This continues on and on, traveling through the air, or space, as a wave, i.e. electromagnetic wave propagation.
Depending upon the wavelength, it is either ultraviolet, cosmic, micro, radio, etc, or even visible light.
That’s how they all travel through the air, so that we can watch a live broadcast from many miles away, or talk on cell phones.)
(But what about faith? It appears that faith is a supernatural interaction between a person and Jesus.
It seems that faith is how Jesus chooses to exercise his power in this world, in direct interaction with that person.
Similar to how hope is much more than simply wishing, hope is confident expectation.
Faith, also, is much more than just believing, however, believing is a key element in faith, not unlike a faucet is to flowing water.)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(e.g. we look forward to the blessed hope, the rapture, similar to Enoch:)
Hebrews 11:5a By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:
(It was more than simply Enoch believing his way up, i.e. like the more he believed, the higher up he went? No, there’s more to it.
It says that faith is the substance of things hoped for - so, what is substance?
something existing by itself; that which really is or exists; equally applicable to matter or spirit; that which something consists of
Not a dream or wish of things hoped for, but faith gives reality, actual substance to those things hoped for.
This is beyond normal existence, this is something miraculous, something supernaturally connecting us with Jesus.
It says the evidence of things not seen – faith is the absolute proof to us, of things invisible, and things yet future.
When most people in the world say, “have faith”, they are certainly NOT speaking about scriptural faith.
So, how does scriptural faith work? First off, that kind of faith is given by Jesus, through his Spirit:)
James 2:5b Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith,
Romans 12:3c according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
I Corinthians 4:7b and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
I Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
9a To another faith by the same Spirit;
(When we were saved, we weren’t born from our mother with that faith, but that faith came to us, when Jesus gave it to us:)
Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(Clearly faith came to us, but how?)
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
(Faith came to us as we heard the word of God, but the devil works to stop this from going any further, with as many as he can:)
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
(But to those whom faith comes by hearing the word of God, there yet remains for them to choose to believe.
However, before they can believe, they must first choose to repent, otherwise they cannot choose to believe:)
Matthew 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
(So, those who receive the faith from the word of God, and choose to repent, must then choose to believe.
But, if they choose not to believe:)
John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
John 3:36b and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(But to those who do choose to believe, that’s where the supernatural aspect of faith takes place.
Like opening a faucet allows water to flow, with faith, choosing to believe, allows the power of God to work in our life, or on our behalf.
Supernatural things happen, that could otherwise never, ever happen.
What were others able to supernaturally do through faith?)
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Joshua 10:12a Then spake Joshua to the LORD
12b Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
13b So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
Hebrews 11:17a By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:
30a By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,
(and others:)
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
(These supernatural things, which were done through faith, were physical, regarding the kingdom of Israel.
But for us in the church age, supernatural things that are also done through faith, are spiritual, regarding the church and Christians.
Like what things?
A soul actually washed by the blood of Jesus, forgiven all sins, cut loose from the flesh, adopted by the Father, and given eternal life.
After that, lives changed, bitterness replaced with joy, greed by giving, vices by victories, worry by trust, and vile by holy.)
(However, our faith does not remain constant, and needs to increase, by the word of God:)
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Acts 6:5b and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
(Also, our faith is tried:)
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Luke 22:32a But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:
(We must always remember that it is not our own faith, but the faith of Jesus that is given to us:)
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
(Our own works, by our own faith, are vain & fruitless, but the faith of Jesus produces works in our lives by his Spirit, otherwise:)
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
(Therefore, we should consider:)
II Corinthians 13:5a Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
(We need to remember that he, whose faith it is that was given to us, works that faith in us, by love:)
Galatians 5:6b but faith which worketh by love.
(Also, the author of the word of God, from where we received the faith to be saved, will bring us, by faith, to the conclusion:)
Hebrews 12:2a Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
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