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From: ASC105@psuvm.psu.edu
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Two kinds of faith
Message-ID: <Nov.29.02.45.45.1990.15943@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 29 Nov 90 07:45:47 GMT
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  When obtaining God's promises, the kind of faith that a born-again believer
should have is that of Abraham. But first, let's look at the kind of faith that
many people have:
  John chapter 20 mentions a disciple named Thomas, who absolutely refused
to believe that the supernatural appearance of the Lord was true UNTIL he saw
the physical evidence of the fact.  This kind of faith says, "I will NOT
believe until AFTER I SEE physical evidence of God's promise.
  However, in Genesis chapter 12 is shown another kind of faith-- that of
Abraham. This is the kind of faith that produces blessings when they are
PROMISED by God. This faith actually produces results for you. Notice that
Abraham believed God's promise even BEFORE he saw the physical evidence, and
thus he acted upon this promise. He and many nations were blessed as a result.
  Healing is one of the great many promises found in the bible. Isaiah 53:4-5,
and Galations 3:13 say that all born-again believers are redeemed from the
curse of physical illness (among other things).  When believers act upon these
promises, results happen (see the last chapter of Mark).  Signs & wonders
follow up after the Word of God is preached and acted upon. Miracle healings
don't result from descrediting the bible.  God's Word will not make you
hallucinate. The miracles are real.
  The most effective way of obtaining healing is through the kind of faith
that Abraham had. He trusted in God's promise BEFORE he saw physical evidence
of it happening.  The result reaches even to today's body of believers.
There's no need to question, "Is it the Lord's will to heal me?"  The reason
is that it is promised and paid for by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus (just
like salvation).
  Remenber this: "FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things NOT SEEN." - Hebrews 11:1
  I don't hear many Christians saying, "Is it the Lord's will for me to go
to heaven?"
                                             In Jesus's Name
                                             Allen S. Cheung
                                             (Jesus is Lord! Halleleuia!)