The Pain of the Cross

We saw this great cartoon at the Spirituality Guru blog and thought we would pass it along. It really touched us as we contemplate the deep message.

Check it out...

















As the old folks used to say when I was a tyke: No Cross, No Crown.

You Don’t Know

In our Psalms from the Pen of the Ready Writer, we took a lyrical look at the type of person who goes their own way rather than seeking God’s way.  No, we are not talking about an atheist or agnostic.  This is a person who feels that they are the height of spiritual perfection.  The truth, however, would suggest otherwise.

I was listening to a few ex-Christians pontificating about how ridiculous and worthless they felt religion was.  In a sense, they were correct.  However, it is always a bad idea to throw the proverbial baby out with the proverbial bathwater.  While certain ceremonial practices may be archaic and even unscriptural, it is dangerous to assume that because men are flawed that the entire concept of serving God is flawed.

However, this message is not about those ex-Christians but, rather, the religious person whose lifestyle and behavior may have driven the ex-Christian to a lifestyle that is lived without the daily experience of the love of God.  So what kind of religion should we be practicing.  Well, according to the scriptures:

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27

He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:8

Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:22-23

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2^nd Timothy 3:5

The following lyric may help drive home the point that we are trying to make:

Three-piece suit and pure silk a tie
Such a pious Christian guy
Raise your hands and sing those songs
Just like nothing could be wrong

But you don’t know what “Christian” means
You don’t know... You don’t know...
Oh, you might think you’re born again
You might think it’s so, but...

Have you opened your heart to the lost?
Have you ever counted the cost?
Do you give freely
supporting His work
Is your body
His temple, His church?

No, you don’t know...

Call His Name like a magic charm
Your religion on your arm
Hang His “picture” up on your wall
Thinking you could never fall

But you don’t know who Jesus is
You don’t know... You don’t know...
Oh, you might think you’re serving Him
You might think it’s so, but...

Do you love Him with all of your heart?
From His presence, never depart?
Is He your Savior
and also your Lord
Within your heart,
are you hiding His word?

No, you don’t know...

Sing those songs and say those prayers
Sitting in your holy chair
Praised by the congregation each week
Affirmation (is) all you seek

Oh, you don’t know what religion is
You don’t know...
You don’t know...
You go to church and think you’re in
My friend, you should know, that...

If you fail to submit to the Lord
If your ears are closed to His word
If you think God is impressed with your work
or the building is really the church

Then, you don’t know...

Will you remain an ignorant fool?
Will you be used as the enemy’s tool?
Open your ears and listen to this
Ignorance just isn’t bliss

You need to know what Jesus says
You should know...
You should know...
You need to give your life to Him
Then you’ll truly know that...

You can live life in true victory
You can have joy, eternally!
Make Him your Saviour
Make Him your Lord
Open your heart, and give to the poor.

Then you will know...

You know, God has an awesome way of getting his word to us. I recently checked my overflowing inbox and found the following gem from Pastor Francis in Singapore that drives home the point much better than I might attempt to:

---

“He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”

Psalm 106:15 [NKJV]

When you insist on wanting something that God in His wisdom is withholding, sometimes He steps back and says, “Okay, have it your way.” After God brought His people through the Red Sea and delivered them from the hand of Pharaoh, we read, “They believed His words; they sang His praise” (Psalm 106:12 NKJV).

That sounds good. But notice what happened next, for it happens to us: “They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul” (vs.13-15).

Wanting our own way can lead to Spiritual emptiness.

When God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt, Moses decided to do it his own way. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, but instead of consulting God he took matters into his own hands. The Bible says, “He looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exodus 2:12 NKJV).

Obviously, Moses was more concerned with the opinions of people than how God felt about it. So God had to teach Moses that his orders came from Him. After Moses dug a hole and tried to hide the work of his flesh, God allowed it to be exposed.

He showed Moses that by doing things his own way he couldn’t keep a single soldier buried in the sand. Whereas, by doing things God’s way, a whole army could be buried in the depths of the Red Sea.
So today, make up your mind to do it God’s way.

Have a superb week!

Pastor Ng Francis
www.fnministries.com

Faith and Works

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:5-8 [NASU]

[But Noah found favor (grace)]

Looking at Noah’s ancestors, we are inclined to believe Noah was called of God early in life; initiated into the worship of his Creator; delighted in His word and was dedicated to His service. We further believe his mind was set and his ears attentive to the voice of the Lord, not being influenced by the nay sayers, the religious, the self righteous, and never tossed about by “every wind of doctrine,” or lured by lust into the things of the world. Noah had a constant and certain confidence and trust in God’s love and in His ability and power to order and sustain all things. Therefore in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation Noah had “set his mind” to walk with the One who had called him to righteousness, hence he found grace in the “eyes of the Lord” and over came the world through faith (1^st John 5:4).

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:7 [NASU]

Because of God’s love for mankind, He had mercy; and mercy brought forth the favor of God to warn Noah about the impending flood that would destroy all flesh. Noah, not out of fear of death, but out of fear (reverence) of God, never doubting, obeyed Him in all that He commanded him to do.

By grace through faith Noah became the heir of righteousness. But what is faith? Now I know most of you will quote Hebrews 11:1 and say to me, that is faith; but what constitutes faith? And, where does one get faith? As we examine the Scriptures we find that God spoke with Noah warning him of things to come. Now Noah, having a loving, trusting relationship with God, believed God and began to do the things God commanded him to do (Genesis 6:22).

Now let us imagine if Noah had heard God but did not do the things God commanded him to do in a timely manner. I highly suspect that Noah would have perished with the rest of the world. Although it does not seem possible to love God apart from obedience, nevertheless we conclude that just loving, hearing and believing God does not totally constitute faith. Faith must include obedience!! Is not obedience an expression of love for God? But isn’t obedience works? Yes, of course it is. But works alone did not justify Noah; his love, believing and obedience to the words spoken to him by God---faith, justified him.

And then there is Abraham, living in Mesopotamia in his father’s house serving other gods (Joshua 24:2) and God spoke to him (Acts 7:2). Unlike Noah, Abraham was not in a relationship with God when He called him. Because of God’s love for mankind He had mercy and choose Abraham to be a father of faith. When God spoke to Abraham, His word made alive the ears of Abraham and caused him to hear; effecting faith in him (Romans 10:17). When Abraham heard God, he believed; this was God’s gracious gift to Abraham.

Again let us just imagine if Abraham had heard God and believed but said to God, “I believe you God but I think I will stay here in Ur.” Would Abraham have received the blessings that God promised Him? Of course not!! He had to obey God’s commands. Then we conclude from the Scriptures that Abraham heard God, believed, and because God first loved him, he loved God in returned and expressed that love through obedience; thus his faith was perfected (James 2:22).

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8 [NASU]

The Holy Scriptures teach us that both Noah and Abraham were men of faith. Now for the answer to our question, we examine what these two men have in common. Both were chosen of God; heard, believed, and obeyed Him. And because God first loved them, they both loved God; thus effecting faith in their hearts. Therefore we conclude that the foundation of faith is the love of God in the heart of man, the corner stone is the word of God believed, and the completion of faith is obedience. Now we have the answer to what constitutes or establishes faith: hearing God (Romans 10:17), believing and obeying Him from a heart of love.

Jesus said,

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:15 [NASU]

Would not keeping our Lord’s commandments be works of faith through love? Sure, I agree, it is by grace through faith that a person is saved and not of works, but isn’t God’s favor granted to those who when God calls, motivated by love, they obey Him? Noah and Abraham both were justified and saved by grace through their obedience to God’s purpose in calling them.

Many have written that the Apostles Paul and James were in disagreement concerning works. I contend that both Apostles were taught and led by the same Spirit and they did not disagree on anything. Men, trying to understand God’s Holy word by the intellect, have grossly misunderstood the messages of these two men.

Paul states that works does not justify man; and he of course is right. Now we confess and agree with Paul, there is no way man can work his way into salvation by obedience to the Law or any other works of the flesh; it is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that one is saved. And the Apostle James says that works justifies man (James 2:21), and of course he is right also. Without contradiction we agree with James because we understand the messages of these two men.

The Apostle Paul is speaking of works apart from hearing, believing and loving God. He is speaking of men who know of God and His promises but are trying to work out their salvation by their own methods rather than following God’s plan; such works are corrupted by the sin nature of man and is not acceptable to God; and also, there has never been a law given that could impart life.

The Apostle Paul is speaking of men seeking righteousness through the “works of the Law” and James is speaking of a love that leads to obedience—“works of faith”---diligently following God’s plan.

The Apostle Paul writes,

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Romans 3:28 [NASU]

Now we will repeat the same Scripture but inserting the elements of faith in italics rather than the word “faith.”

For we maintain that a man is justified by hearing God, believing Him, and obeying from a heart of love apart from the works of the Law.

For example, let us imagine if Noah possessed a stone with God’s handwriting giving the Ten Commandments of the Moral Law. Let us also imagine that Noah also had God’s warning of a flood and instructions to build an ark. But let us suppose that out of fear of death Noah kept all Ten Commandments to the letter but ignored the instructions to build an ark. If all of the above were true, could “the works of the Law” save him? Of course not!

Let us imagine that, in as effort to survive the flood, Noah set out to build a boat without following God’s plan; and we will assume that he got his boat ready by the time the flood came. Don’t you know that the storm would have completely destroyed his little boat. Thus his works would have not saved him from death. He would have been like Nimrod, who never knew God, trying to build his tower into heaven.

The Apostle James writes,

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

James 2:14 [NASU]

The Apostle James is speaking here of a faith that is lacking the element of obedience to the word of God.

Again, for example, let us imagine that Noah heard God when He warned of a flood that would destroy all flesh. And He believed Him as He gave him instructions to build an ark; but he never lifted a hand to pick up his tools to build the ark. Would his hearing and believing God save him? Of course not! Apart from works of obedience his hearing and believing would be worthless (James 2:17, 20). God’s saving grace was poured out upon Noah because he participated in his salvation through obedience to the word of God from a pure heart of love.

Out of God’s love for mankind, He has mercy and extends His invitation of salvation to man through His Son Jesus. We love God because He first loved us. Through this love of His, He inspires faith -- a faith that includes obedience (works).

James C Sanford

The Pain of the Cross

We saw this great cartoon at the Spirituality Guru blog and thought we would pass it along. It really touched us as we contemplate the deep message.

Check it out...

As the old folks used to say when I was a tyke: No Cross, No Crown.

You Must Be Born Again

As it is written, “there is none righteous, not even one;”
(Romans 3:10 NASU)

As the Apostle Paul quotes the psalmist (Psalm 14:2) God Himself is represented as looking down from heaven to see if there were anyone who feared and sought after Him; and yet He, who cannot be deceived, could find none! Therefore we may safely conclude there was none to be found who were in right standing before God.

This is true of every soul of man, past and present, in his degenerate state. He is not in right standing with God, there is no righteous principle in him, and, consequently, no righteous act can be expected from him.

“There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God;.”
(Romans 3:11 NASU)

All are born and live in the “kingdom of darkness” and are ignorant and fail to understand the things of God. Furthermore, there are none who seek to know God---none that endeavors to know and do His will, and to be acquainted with His character. A man can indulge in wickedness only by not being concerned about a relationship with his Creator. Hence, a disposition “NOT” to seek God is full proof of depravity.

A righteous man counts it his highest privilege and honor to know God, and to understand His will.

“All have turned aside, together they have become useless: there is none who does good, there is not even one.”
(Romans 3:12 NASU)

Depraved men are useless, good for nothing; that is to say, they are spiritually decomposed and a stench in God’s nostrils: God viewed the whole mass of mankind as slain, dead, and heaped together to putrefy because of their sin nature. This is what is termed the total corruption of the human nature; they are not only infected but they are also infectious. Every child born of man is infected with his sin nature.

We have read above, “There is none righteous” (Romans 3:10); here we read, “There is none who does good:” the first may refer to the lack of a righteous principle; the second, to the necessary consequence of the absence of such a principle. If there is no righteousness within, then certainly there will be no acts of goodness without.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
(Romans 3:23 NASU)

All have sinned therefore all are equally helpless and guilty; and, as God is no respecter of persons, all human creatures being equally His offspring, and there being no reason why one should be preferred before another, His endless love and mercy has embraced ALL.

Man was created in the image of God to glorify and bring honor to God. But when men sin the image of God is dishonored among men. Thus all have fallen short of the glory of God or have not been able to bring glory to God.

Man does God no favor by claiming to be a child of His while continuing to willfully sin. God loathes sin!!

The world was in a ruinous, condemned state, about to perish everlastingly; and was utterly without power to rescue itself from destruction. Oh, what a need for the love and mercy of God to save man from such a state of degeneracy!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8 NASU)

God has exhibited or showed His love in this unusual and remarkable manner; His kindness; His grace; His willingness to submit to sacrifice to save the souls of men who of course were His enemies. In this, His love surpasses all that has ever been manifested among people. Christ died in men’s stead to save them from death. He took his place; and by dying Himself on the cross, saved those who would believe and place their trust in Him from dying eternally in hell.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23 NASU)

The death here mentioned is the “second death,” eternal damnation--hell. Every sinner earns his wages by long, severe, and painful service to a relentless taskmaster. Enslaved to sin from early in life until late they toil; divine justice would be in their debt if God did not pay them their due wages.

A man may merit hell, but he cannot earn eternal life; that is the gracious gift of God that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus first introduced the doctrine of the new birth for the salvation of the soul of man while speaking to Nicodemus.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’.”
(John 3:3 NASU)

“Unless one” is a universal form of expression designed to include all mankind. Of “each and every man” it is certain that unless he is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. It includes, therefore, men of every character and rank, and nation, moral and immoral, rich and poor, in office and out of office, old and young, bond and free, the slave and his master, Jew and Gentile. It is clear that our Savior intended to convey to Nicodemus the idea, also, that “he” must be born again. It was not sufficient to be a Jew, or to acknowledge Him to be a teacher sent by God that is, the Messiah; it was necessary, in addition to this, to experience in his own soul that great change called the “new birth” or regeneration.

The Greek adverb translated “again” can also mean “from the beginning,” suggesting a new creation; and also “from above” (that is, from the Holy Spirit of God). Only as a person has a spiritual generation--a birth from above--will he be able to see the kingdom of God.

“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’”
(John 3:4 NAS)

We may learn from this that things, which are at first incomprehensible or apparently absurd, may, when explained, become clear. The doctrine of regeneration, so difficult to Nicodemus, is plain to a “child” that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus was trying to reason these things that Jesus spoke by way of his intellect. Jesus answered him saying, I tell you the truth,

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’”
(John 3:5 NAS)

When man is born the first time, he is born of the flesh; or rather he is born into the sinful nature of Adam and knows not the love of God. When man is born a second time he is born of the word and Spirit of God into Christ Jesus; he becomes a “new creature” and is baptized in water as a sign of his new covenant in Christ for salvation.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
(John 3:6 NAS)

Once man is born of the Spirit he is now a “new creature,” and a spirit being as it was in the beginning. He now has experienced the love of God and he knows love for God is love (1^st John 4:7-8).

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
(John 3:7-8 NAS)

Jesus explains that being born of the Holy Spirit is a matter of hearing and believing the word of truth and not a matter of sight or a feeling; it is by faith (Romans 10:17).

“Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?’”

“Again Jesus says to him, I tell you the truth,”

“We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man.”

(John 3:9-13 NAS)

First Jesus told Nicodemus that to see the kingdom of heaven he must be born again. Then He introduced Nicodemus to faith. Now He tells him no one else has ascended into heaven to bear witness of the truth, but He Himself, who was in heaven, has bore witness of the truth and has descended from heaven to bring that truth to man.

To better understand the “new birth” we look again at the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. When God’s messenger came and spoke the word of God to Mary---she believed. The moment she believed the Holy Spirit caused her to conceive in compliance to the word of God. Thus Jesus was conceived and born of the word and the Spirit.

As the word of God is spoken through His chosen or anointed messenger concerning salvation through Jesus Christ, and a person hears and believes, much in the same way as Mary heard and believed, a new spirit born of the word of God is conceived in the inner most being or “womb” of the believer’s soul, by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus the believer is “born again” of the word and the Spirit. The soul is now restored to a “living soul.” The spirit born of the word of God is then nourished by the Tree of Life in the person of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the believer’s soul until the person’s whole being (soul and body) is swallowed up by the spirit born of God; and so he is a son of God.

Meanwhile the old sin nature undergoes the circumcision of the cross, through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus and the unclean flesh is crucified and buried with Christ; the likeness of the serpent is dead. In this new birth the soul is set free from the prison of death.

The Apostle Paul writes,

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
(Titus 3:4-7)

Regeneration and renewing or being born again by the Holy Spirit is a change brought about in a person’s being that restores him to a living soul and fellowship with God through the spirit. This may be viewed in three parts; the first part is man must believe. Jesus speaks of and explains the “law of the Spirit of life” while speaking with Nicodemus and concludes it with the words of this beautiful covenant of faith through God’s message of love for man.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16 NAS)

The Apostle Paul writes of the same law in this way:

“But what does it say? ‘The word in near you, in your mouth and in your heart; --that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.’”
(Romans 10:8-10)

Regeneration begins the moment that God, through His word, reveals sin and convicts the sinner of his sinfulness, this is a gift of faith; when a person believes it is obedience to faith; by the grace of justification through the gift of faith God grants repentance.

Thus the second part of regeneration is repentance. Repentance is the empting of one’s soul of sin and preparing the heart for the sowing of the good seed, the word of God. This is accomplished only through convictions brought about by the Holy Spirit; resulting in a deep sorrow and remorsefulness for the extreme evilness and savage cruelty of crimes committed against God and all His creation. Just as the farmer tills the soil and prepares it for the sowing of the seed, like so is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man.

The word of God requires a heart that is empty. A heart filled with earthly projects, carnal interests, ambition, thoughts of becoming rich in worldly goods, and with the love of the luxuries and pleasures of life in the world is not fit to receive the seed of the kingdom of God (John 8:37).

True repentance results in love toward God and a change in ones attitude and behavior that conforms to the word of God. Therefore, repentance is the act of obedience to God’s word in turning away from a life of sin.

The third part is faith in God. Faith in God results in a person turning toward God for life in Christ Jesus (Matthew 18:3). All three parts are gifts from God by revelation and take place in unison. So we see the three-part conversion is to believe in Christ Jesus, repentance from sin, and turning to God in faith. Such a threefold conversion is absolutely necessary for one to be restored to agreement and oneness with God that he might “see the kingdom of heaven.”

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
(2^nd Corinthians 5:17 NASU)

The phrase to “be in Christ,” means to be united to Christ by faith---to be in Him so as to derive all nourishment and support from Him, and to be sustained entirely by Him (John 15:1-8). The term denotes a more tender and close union; and implies that all support is from him. All strength is derived from Him; and denotes further that those of faith shall partake of His fullness, and share in His glory in order that man may once again be in God’s image and glorify Him. “He is a new creature: the old things passed away: behold, new things have come.” Selah.

James C Sanford

Holy Faith

Now that we have studied the “Creation of Man” and “Man’s Plunge Into Chaos” we know who man was in the beginning and how his soul became “lost,” or separated from his life source through sin, we will begin our look into God’s wonderful plan of redemption.

The Apostle Paul writes, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25f NAS)

Man’s soul as a victim of his body is hopelessly trapped in a body of death. But God, being rich in mercy toward man pours out His grace by providing a substitute death for man’s sin debt (John 3:15).

And again he writes,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”
(Ephesians 2:8 NAS)

Faith is vital to man’s salvation (Hebrews 11:6), but we fear that in today’s Christian religion “holy faith” is not properly taught. Holy faith is that faith that is set apart from all other faith. There are many kinds of “faith” in the world, such as, emotional faith, intellectual faith, blind faith and etc., but there is only one soul saving “Holy faith” (Jude verse 20). “Holy” designates the pure faith that is from the one and only true Almighty God and is holy as He is holy (Ephesians 2:8ff NAS). In contrast, all other “faith” is of man and cannot be pleasing to God. Without holy faith there is no redemption and salvation for man, thus we will devote this writing to the study of God’s gift of faith.

“Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a man child with the help of the LORD.” And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. And Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.”
(Genesis 4:1-5 NAS)

Why was Abel’s offering pleasing to God while Cain’s was not? This question has been debated down through the ages. The answer lies in the true meaning of the word faith.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews writes,

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
(Hebrews 11:4 NAS)

What does the writer mean “by faith he offered a better sacrifice than Cain?” Why was God not pleased with Cain’s offering? It seems like a “good thing” to do. How did Able know what to offer? Did Cain have the same knowledge? If Cain and Able both knew to bring an offering to God, then certainly both knew exactly what to bring. If so, how did they obtain such knowledge? Did their father Adam teach them or did God Himself speak directly to them? The answer to all these questions, and many more, lies in the true meaning and understanding of the word faith.

The word “faith” found in the New Testament of the Holy Bible is translated from the Greek word pistis, meaning primarily, “firm persuasion;” a conviction based upon hearing (akin to the Greek word peitho, meaning “to persuade”).

The Apostle Paul writes,

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ {the Anointed One}.”
(Romans 10:17 NAS)

So it must be that firm persuasion that brings about conviction and conversion comes from hearing God—not man. Thus to have faith one must hear the word of God, hence the word of God is the corner stone of faith. And also, throughout the Holy Scriptures the word “obey” is related to the idea of hearing. And obedience is doing that which one has heard, thus fulfilling the will of God

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
(Hebrews 11:7 NAS)

We see from this Scripture concerning Noah that God spoke by His Spirit, Noah heard His word, and because he reverenced God he believed God and obeyed Him. Noah, after hearing and believing God, went to work doing exactly as God, by His Spirit and Word, instructed him. He did not do his own “good thing” as Cain did; Noah, like Abel, was truly obedient to God and it was reckoned to Him as righteousness.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
(Hebrews 11:8 NAS)

God, because of His great love for man whom He had created, had mercy and desired to redeem mankind (Ephesians 2:4 NAS). By God’s election He chose Abram (Abraham). Again we see three elements at work just as we saw with Noah. God, by His Spirit, spoke:

1. Abram hears the Word of God.
2. Abram believes God.
3. Abram obeys God. In the Holy Bible these three elements are called faith.

“By faith Abraham {believed}, when he was called {heard}, obeyed, by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith {hearing, believing and obeying God} he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;”
(Hebrews 11:8-9 NAS)

Had Abraham heard and believed without obeying he would have died in his father’s house without ever accomplishing righteousness that is by faith.

The Apostle James writes,

“What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”
(James 2:14 NAS)

“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”
(James 2:17 NAS)

Obedience to the word of God is doing the works of God, thus fulfilling and giving life to ones faith.

To Abraham was born Isaac, and to Isaac was born Jacob (later named Israel), and to Jacob was born twelve sons who were the forefathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. These were the men of faith who were the beginning of the nation Israel. These men lived by hearing God speaking by His Spirit, believing and obeying His Word from a heart of love; thus the very foundation of the nation Israel was build upon the “Rock;” God speaking by His Spirit, thus the Word of God was the “corner stone” and men of faith was the nation.”

“ (As it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be. And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness .”
(Romans 4:17-22 NAS)

Abraham never forgot whom he had heard and believed; therefore the object of Abraham’s “faith” was not God’s promise (the promise was the occasion of the exercise of faith); his “faith” rested on God Himself. The promises would not have meant anything to Abraham apart from believing that God loved him and that He was fully able to deliver on His promises.

From the Holy Scripture we have learned that the very first element of faith is what God has spoken by His Spirit and caused the hearer to understand. The second element of faith is a firm conviction that God’s word brings about causing the hearer to be established in an unshakeable love, trust and belief in Him. Element one and two brings about the third element which is, a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation of truth with complete surrender and obedience to the will of God from a heart of love. It takes all three of the above elements to constitute faith. If any one of the three is missing it is not faith.

Note: Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context in which it is used, but all three elements are always present in holy faith.

The entire works of God and all that He commands has meaning and purpose. When His people do as He commands they fulfill His purpose. It appears then that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews is telling us that Able was instructed of God and caused to understand what He desired Able to do. Able, in reverence, believed and surrendered his own will to do the will of God; thus he obeyed and pleased God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. In doing according to God’s instructions Abel fulfilled God’s purpose in the offering of his sacrifice. Cain, on the other hand, apparently was instructed by God and caused to understand the will of God but he chose to do his own “good thing.” Cain’s offering was just an empty, meaningless ritual and he failed to please God.

“----Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous .”
(1^st John 3:12ff NAS)

All the elements that make up faith were present in Able but were not present in Cain. In his disobedience he failed to do the works of God; thus Cain rejected the gift of faith; therefore he was not reckoned as being righteous (or in right standing with God).

As we continue our study we will test our definition of faith.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1 NAS)

Let us substitute our definition for the word “faith” in this verse of Scripture. Now hearing, believing and obeying God from a pure heart of love is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hearing God, believing and obeying Him from a heart of love brings total trust, peace and assurance of the things promised and hoped for and a deep, firm conviction of the presents of things though they are not seen.

“For by it {faith} the men of old gained approval.”
(Hebrews 11:2 NAS)

And again we substitute our definition, ----For by hearing, believing and obeying God from a pure heart of love the men of old gained approval. The Scripture testifies of their love and devotion even to death. In our next verse prominence is given to the first element of faith.

“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
(Hebrews 11:3 NAS)

If we substitute only the first element the reading would be proper but it would not be faith. For example-- By hearing God we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. It is possible to hear God and understand His message, and even believe Him, but if we do not love and obey Him it is not faith.

A simple agreement with a known truth is not faith!!

Even the demons believe God and know His truths but they do not love Him, nor do they do His good works; they do not have faith.

“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”
(Hebrews 11:5 NAS)

By hearing, believing and obeying from a pure heart of love Enoch was pleasing to God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
(Hebrews 11:6 NAS)

He who comes to God must believe that He is Almighty God who has authority and power over all; and that He is the Creator and Father of us all, and He is fully able to deliver on all that He promises.

The Apostle Paul asks,

“How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent (that is, called of God and anointed with His Spirit to preach)? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!”
(Romans 10:14-15 NAS)

Thus “----hearing {comes} by the word of Christ {the Anointed One}” (Romans 10:17ff NAS).

The anointed preaching of the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ gives life to the ear of the dead (dead because of sin) soul of the hearer causing him to be able to hear the convicting word of God spoken by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that speaks the word of God through the preacher and persuades, convicts, gives life to and teaches and guides the hearer---“So faith comes by hearing------” (Romans 10:17f NAS) .

Paul also writes,

“Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith’ .”
(Romans 1:15-17 NAS)

The righteous shall live by hearing, believing and obeying God from a pure heart of love.

In the book of Matthew we find these words,

“He {Jesus} said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven’ .”
(Matthew 16:15-17 NAS)

According to Jesus God the Father had revealed to Peter that He was God’s Son. Peter evidenced his conviction with the words, “Thou art the Christ {the Anointed One}, the Son of the living God.” What was Jesus’ part in Peter’s revelation? Jesus was flesh and blood but was anointed with the Spirit of His Father to speak His word. It was the anointed teaching of Jesus that quickened the ear of Peter to cause Him to hear the convicting message from the Holy Spirit of the Father. By His Spirit God spoke to Peter through Jesus---Peter heard, believed and obeyed by following Jesus and became His devoted apostle even unto death.

Jesus continues His discourse with Peter,

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”
(Matthew 16:18 NAS)

What “rock” is Jesus speaking of? It is the same Rock that was the foundation of the nation Israel---God speaking by His Spirit, the hearer believing and obeying from a pure heart of love. His church He speaks of is His nation; God the Father being the foundation “Rock” and His Son, the Word of God, is the corner stone, and men of faith are the church.

“My sheep {people} hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”
(John 10:27-28 NAS)

Death, the gates of hell, shall not prevail against His children of faith.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2 NAS)

Included in the “cloud of witnesses” is our Lord and Savior; He kept faith with the Father ‘til death on the cross, fulfilling the Father’s purpose. Jesus, the Living Word of God, is the author, the beginning, the corner stone and the perfecter of holy faith; He is our example.

“--- You, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
(Jude 1:20-21 NAS)

James C Sanford

Faith and Works

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:5-8 NASU)

[But Noah found favor (grace)]

Looking at Noah’s ancestors we are inclined to believe Noah was called of God early in life; initiated into the worship of his Creator; delighted in His word and was dedicated to His service. We further believe his mind was set and his ears attentive to the voice of the Lord, not being influenced by the naysayers, the religious, the self righteous, and never tossed about by “every wind of doctrine,” or lured by lust into the things of the world. Noah had a constant and certain confidence and trust in God’s love and in His ability and power to order and sustain all things. Therefore in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation Noah had “set his mind” to walk with the One who had called him to righteousness, hence he found grace in the “eyes of the Lord” and over came the world through faith (1^st John 5:4).

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7 NASU)

Because of God’s love for mankind He had mercy; and mercy brought forth the favor of God to warn Noah about the impending flood that would destroy all flesh. Noah, not out of fear of death, but out of fear (reverence) of God, never doubting, obeyed Him in all that He commanded him to do.

By grace through faith Noah became the heir of righteousness. But what is faith? Now I know must of you will quote Hebrews 11:1 and say to me, that is faith; but what constitutes faith? And, where does one get faith? As we examine the Scriptures we find that God spoke with Noah warning him of things to come. Now Noah, having a loving, trusting relationship with God, believed God and began to do the things God commanded him to do (Genesis 6:22).

Now let us just suppose that Noah had heard God but did not do the things God commanded him to do in a timely manner. I highly suspect that Noah would have perished with the rest of the world. Although it does not seem possible to love God apart from obedience, nevertheless we conclude that just loving, hearing and believing God does not totally constitute faith. Faith must include obedience!!Is not obedience an expression of love for God?

But isn’t obedience works?

Yes, of course it is. But works alone did not justify Noah; his love, believing and obedience to the words spoken to him by God---faith, justified him.

And then there is Abraham, living in Mesopotamia in his father’s house serving other Gods (Joshua 24:2) and God spoke to Him (Acts 7:2). Unlike Noah, Abraham was not in a relationship with God when He called him. Because of God’s love for mankind He had mercy and choose Abraham to be a father of faith. When God spoke to Abraham His word made alive the ears of Abraham and caused him to hear effecting faith in him (Romans 10:17). When Abraham heard God he believed; this was God’s gracious gift to Abraham.

Again let us just suppose that Abraham had heard God and believed but said to God, “I believe you God but I think I will stay here in Ur.” Would Abraham have received the blessings that God promised Him? Of course not!! He had to obey God’s commands. Then we conclude from the Scriptures that Abraham heard God, believed, and because God first loved him, he love God in returned and expressed that love through obedience; thus his faith was perfected (James 2:22).

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NASU)

The Holy Scriptures teaches us that both Noah and Abraham were men of faith. Now for the answer to our question we examine what these two men have in common. Both were chosen of God, heard, believed, obeyed Him and because God first loved them they both loved God; thus effecting faith in their hearts. Therefore we conclude that the foundation of faith is the love of God in the heart of man, the cornerstone is the word of God believed, and the completion of faith is obedience.

Now we have the answer to what constitutes or establishes faith: hearing God (Romans 10:17), believing and obeying Him from a heart of love. Jesus said,

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NASU)

Would not keeping our Lord’s commandments be works of faith through love? Sure, I agree, it is by grace through faith that a person is saved and not of works, but isn’t God’s favor granted to those who when God calls, motivated by love they obey Him. Noah and Abraham both were justified and saved by grace through their obedience to God’s purpose in calling them.

Many have written that the Apostles Paul and James were in disagreement concerning works. I contend that both Apostles were taught and led by the same Spirit and they did not disagree on anything. Men, trying to understand Gods Holy word by the intellect, have grossly misunderstood the messages of these two men.

Paul states that works does not justify man; and He of course is right. Now we confess and agree with Paul, there is no way man can work his way into salvation by obedience to the Law or any other works of the flesh; it is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that one is saved. And the Apostle James says that works justifies man (James 2:21), and of course he is right also. Without contradiction we agree with James because we understand the messages of these two men.

The Apostle Paul is speaking of works apart from hearing, believing and loving God. He is speaking of men who know of God and His promises but are trying to work out their salvation by their own methods rather than following God’s plan; such works are corrupted by the sin nature of man and is not acceptable to God; and also, there has never been a law given that could impart life.

The Apostle Paul is speaking of men seeking righteous through the “works of the Law” and James is speaking of a love that leads to obedience—“works of faith”---diligently following God’s plan.

The Apostle Paul writes,

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Romans 3:28 NASU)

Now we will repeat the same Scripture but inserting the elements of faith in italics rather than the word “faith.”

For we maintain that a man is justified by hearing God, believing Him, and obeying from a heart of love apart from the works of the Law.

For example let us say that Noah possessed a stone with God’s handwriting giving the Ten Commandments of the Moral Law. And he also had God’s warning of a flood and instructions to build an ark. But let us suppose that out of fear of death Noah kept all Ten Commandments to the letter but ignored the instructions to build an ark, could “the works of the Law” save him? Of course not!

Or again let us suppose that in as effort to survive the flood he set out to build a boat without following God’s plan; and we will assume that he got his boat ready by the time the flood came. Don’t you know that the storm would have completely destroyed his little boat. Thus his works would have not saved him from death. He would have been like Nimrod, who never knew God, trying to build his tower into heaven, which God destroyed.

The Apostle James writes,

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14 NASU)

The Apostle James is speaking here of a faith that is lacking the element of obedience to the word of God.

Again for example let us say that Noah heard God when He warned of a flood that would destroy all flesh. And He believed Him as He gave him instructions to build an ark; but he never lifted a hand to pick up his tools to build the ark. Would his hearing and believing God save him? Of course not!

Apart from works of obedience his hearing and believing is worthless (James 2:17, 20). God’s saving grace was poured out upon Noah because he participated in his salvation through obedience to the word of God from a pure heart of love.

Out of God’s love for mankind He has mercy and extends His invitation of salvation to man through His Son Jesus. We love God because He first loved us and through this love of His He inspires faith, a faith that includes obedience (works).

James C Sanford

Mission Impossible

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4 NASU)

Now faith is hearing, believing and obeying God. Knowing God is a just God we must believe that He gave both Cain and Able instructions concerning the sacrifice. Able followed God’s instructions and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Rather than following God’s instructions Cain devised his own plan---he did what he wanted to do and totally failed in his efforts to please God.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7 NASU)

Noah was warned of a devastating flood that was to come upon the wicked and then was given instructions to build an ark; Noah heard God, believed Him, and built the ark according to God’s instructions. Thus he “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith;” he was pleasing to God.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8 NASU).”

Abraham was called and given instructions; he heard, believed and obeyed, thus it was reckoned unto him as righteousness; he was pleasing to God.

Before ascending into heaven Jesus commanded His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had been baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). And then He added,

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even in the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NAS)

The disciples followed His instructions and did as He had commanded. They waited in prayer and one accord; not knowing when the Holy Spirit would come but never doubting that He would.Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came anointing all who had been faithfully waiting for Him (Acts 2).

Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit the apostles began to speak with great power and authority. As the people heard the anointed preaching they became convicted of their sins and cried out,

“Brethren; What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

With these instructions,

“Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NASU)

Three thousand heard the message, followed the Spirits instructions and by “grace through faith” they were added to the church that day.

Throughout the Book of Acts we read accounts of the Holy Spirit giving instruction to our Lord’s Apostles; they followed these instructions with great success.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 1l:6 NASU)

To take a “leap of faith” without instructions from God is to take on a mission impossible. One may meet with some success or even great success in the eyes of men and self but he cannot be pleasing to God.To please God one must receive the gift of faith.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NASU)

The word of God quickens the spiritual ear and causes the soul of man to hear His instructions. When the hearer believes these instructions and acts upon them he has received the gift of faith; thus he is pleasing to God.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 NASU)

And there are those who take off on their own without instructions from God (take a “leap of faith); or like Cain, have instruction but do not follow them but do their own thing. These are on a mission impossible.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’” (Matt. 7:21-23 NASU).

Our heavenly Father tells us to seek Him and He will reward our efforts with instructions for living a life pleasing to Him (Hebrews 11:6).

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NASU)

James C Sanford