Random Thoughts 9/25/10

I have been tested, you tell me wait. I have been bruised and scorned upon, and you tell me wait longer. I have been picked apart and you tell me wait still. I will be glad on all my days, because the shining pearl that is to be mine comes towards me the days I wait still . . .

He sido probado y usted me dice espere. He sido magullado y despreciado y usted me dice espere un poco más. He sido odiado y puesto aparte, aun usted me dice espérame todavía más. Estaré contento en todos mis días, porque la perla brillante que es de ser mío viene hacia mí los días cuales yo espero todavía. .

Post 2 of 2: Faith and Grace

Introduction:
In Post 1 of 2: Religion vs Faith touched mainly on Religion, but now I would like to take some time to be more thorough on the subject of Faith and consequently I must talk about Saving Grace, which is intertwine. Recall in what was previously quoted, "Observance of these rules and rituals is not what makes a person right with God. Rather, these rules and rituals that we observe are the RESULT of the relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as the Savior." Here we see it is by grace alone we are saved and there is nothing by which our hand we can be saved. So why does it state "through faith"? This was confusing to me and I am hoping the following is a good explanation. "⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Going back religion, the Christian may seem to be doing religious things, but this only comes through having a relationship with God do these things reflect (His godly nature) in you (because He is in you). Christians can only accept what is offered, salvation through faith, but salvation itself is not the outcome of our hands.

Faith is therefore a passive action, because it in itself does not save. Faith is belief in Christ Jesus and everything He has done already for us on the cross, as previously stated. Now, faith is expressed and is given evidence by doing godly works as proof, like following the law out of ones own heart. This can only be done as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 12:1-3. Therefore, we must renew our minds by meditating on his word (verse 12:2) and acknowledging him in all our ways. This leads us to see we have a struggle with the flesh, but we are victorious by the reliance of the Spirit.

1. "⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
2. " ¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^a]">[a] act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." - Romans 12:1-3

Now we can talk about Saving Grace. Grace is a gift from God, namely salvation and this gift is salvation, which is made available to us by God's atoning work on that cross where our King laid. Because it is a gift, we know we did not earn it nor merit it, it simply was and is given because He first loved us. We must put our faith on this and the results (fruits) are sure to follow.

Hopefully, I wasn't as scattered brain as I think I am reading this, but I hope it is something you can chew on and really be enlightened and encouraged to read on, for God's love and wisdom is limitless. I wrote this on the fly and pray it is along the lines of the Bible. Later everyone!

Part 1 of 2: Religion vs Faith

Introduction:
I am attempting to answer the difference between religion and faith based upon my study on the Bible as an interlude into faith versus (saving) grace. This is in response to a conversation I had with a friend and wanted to have it written out. I by no means think that this is an extensive study, please feel free to do your study and dig deeper into the foundation; the Truth revealed in Jesus Christ.

Religion - The Common Definition
Religion by many people I have spoken to has been defined as actions, which I can agree that it is more of an action than something passive. Unfortunately, most continue to explain or consider it as an organized system of how to live or be. Essentially the two components people say rules and rituals. We can note this with the Islam belief having a standard of 5 pillars to live by or Jewish people who consider the make up of their faith is by the hundreds of rules to observe. True religion is based on a relationship with God. Most religions if not all I have read about, consider that humans are separated by God and that we need reconciliation to Him. False religion seeks this by observing rules and rituals to get this reconciliation. True religion understands that only God can rectify the separation between us.

Religion - The Christian Perspective
"True religion does have rules and rituals, but there is a crucial difference. In true religion, the rules and rituals are observed out of gratitude for the salvation God has provided – NOT in an effort to obtain that salvation. True religion, which is Biblical Christianity, has rules to obey (do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, etc.) and rituals to observe (water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper / Communion). Observance of these rules and rituals is not what makes a person right with God. Rather, these rules and rituals are the RESULT of the relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as the Savior. False religion is doing things (rules and rituals) in order to try to earn God’s favor. True religion is receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and thereby having a right relationship with God – and then doing things (rules and rituals) out of love for God and desire to grow closer to Him." - http://www.gotquestions.org/true-religion.html

Faith - Short Answer
-Webster Dictionary: Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
-Bible Dictionary: ^"1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for." Continue reading all of Hebrews 11