Go for it Phil. We most likely agree to disagree that faith is the greek word "pistis", as in believing in action...However even at that I like your approach towards POIC
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now Faith is BEING SURE OF WHAT WE:rolleyes: HOPE FOR and CERTAIN OF WHAT WE:rolleyes: DO NOT SEE!"{THE **UNSEEN**}...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He {WHO IS **UNSEEN**} exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM!"
2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes:rolleyes: not on what is seen, but on what is **UNSEEN**. For what is seen is temporary, but what is **UNSEEN** is ETERNAL!."
Matthew 5:19,20: Jesus says, �Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth {THE SEEN}, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves **TREASURES** in Heaven!{THE **UNSEEN**}� Luke 12:33 adds �Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide for yourselves.. a **TREASURE** in heaven {THE **UNSEEN**} that will not be exhausted. For where your **TREASURE** is there your heart will be also!!�
2 Corinthians 6:6,10: As servants of God:rolleyes: we commend ourselves in every way......We are **POOR**, yet making many rich, **HAVING NOTHING**{THE SEEN}, and yet **POSSESSING EVERYTHING**!{THE **UNSEEN**}!�:applause::rolleyes:
Ephesians 6:7,8: "Serve wholeheartedly...because you know that the Lord will *REWARD* everyone for whatever good he does!"
2 John 1:8: "Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be *REWARDED* fully!"
I Corinthians 3:6-9: Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be *REWARDED* according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers!"
UNSEEN ETERNAL REWARD:
Daniel 12:3: "Those who impart wisdom will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever!"
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your {**UNSEEN**}*REWARD* in Heaven!" {See Luke 6:35}
Revelation 22:12: Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My {**UNSEEN**}*REWARD* is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!"
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: "So we make it our goal to please Him..For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him {**UNSEEN REWARDS & TREASURES**} for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad!"
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, For the Son of Man is going to come in His **FATHER'S GLORY WITH HIS ANGELS**:angel::angel:{See Matt 24:30-31;25:31-40}, and **THEN**{NOT NOW} He will *REWARD*{**WITH UNSEEN ETERNAL REWARDS**} each person according to what he has done."
MORE **UNSEEN** ETERNAL REWARDS:
Jesus says in Rev 2:17; 3:4, 5, 21: �To him who overcomes...I will give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it:rolleyes:.....He will walk with Me for he is worthy... I will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.... I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem.....I will write on him my New Name... and I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.�
So Salvation is a 100% ***FREE GIFT*** as per Ephesians 2:8,9 and {**UNSEEN**} eternal *REWARDS* for God's faithful and loving saints are 100% earned!
I Peter 1:13: �Therefore, prepare your minds for *ACTION*, and set your hope *FULLY* on the {**UNSEEN**} grace to be given *YOU* when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED*.:applause::angel::peace:
First we have Coman titling a thread "Jesus is not God", and that is lie that contradicts 40 verses of Scripture.
Now we have PhilipJohn titling a thread "Faith is not given", which is ALSO A LIE.
The Bible plainly teaches that Faith itself is a GIFT FROM GOD.
The following two verses PLAINLY contradict the title of this thread:
Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Now PhillipJohn says Faith is not given, and the verse above says it is a GIFT.
The Bible also says that God "grants repentance".
The Bible says that ONLY those that God has chosen to show mercy to, will repent and believe:
Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
God is the one who GIVES faith:
2Th 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle John understood what PhillipJohn rejects:
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Upon creation/birth God gives man everything/survivial skills he/she will need to live on earth, and it is up to each person to develop and cultivate those skills and spiritual gifts God has given.
God has given each person born A measure (which means a certain amount) of Faith to every creature born, but it is up to each person to take hold of, and to cultivate and grow their faith, so that one might go from faith to faith glory to glory.
"For I say to you, through the grace GIVEN to you, to every man (person) that is among you, not to think of him/herself more highly than he/she ought to think, but to think soberly, according to what God has dealt to every person the measure (a) of faith." Romans chapter 12
Its what one does with the measure, whether its a teaspoon or a tablespoon of faith, its what you do with it that counts, because without faith it is impossible to even please God, even if a person has the faith to move Las Vegas down to the banks of Lake Meade, if he/she is not using their faith, it means nothing in God's eye sight... you are still considered an ufaithful servant.
Yes, PJ might be off course with the concept of faith, but POIC, you're off as well, because you don't have enough faith to show your brother where he is wrong. So show me your faith when correcting your brother and I'll show you how faith works after you have corrected your brother.
