Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: davidbu@tekigm2.men.tek.com (David Buxton) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Two types of Faith - Was Once Saved Always Saved Message-ID: Date: 19 Dec 89 07:23:05 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or. Lines: 45 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [Ken writes] > . . . . > > James 2:14 describes a faith that does not save. I believe what > distinguishes the faith of Luke 8:13 and James 2:14 from the faith that > Paul talks about in Ephesians is that the latter is clearly stated as > being the gift of God. The former faith is not. Instead it is the > same kind of faith that the demons have (James 2:19). > > . . . Two types of Faith - is it a question of whether we have the Faith vs does God gives us the Faith? The more we know about Jesus and what He did for us and the more we grow in our ralationship with Him the more will our Faith in Him grow and grow - like the mustard seed parable. The grace of God is His gift to us and Faith is our response, our growing trust in Him. The story of Peter walking on the water comes to mind because this is a story that illustrates two types of Faith. Peter had been with Christ long enough to know about miracles and to know they are genuine. His Faith is in Jesus when he leaps over the side of the boat. Then his faith reverts to a faith in man - Look, see, me Peter. Is everyone watching? Look guys! I'm walking on the water. Instantly he starts to sink. The same thing can happen to a powerful evangelist for Christ. Early in his ministry he knows it is the Holy Spirit that brings the crowds to repentance. But after awhile he begins to glory in his own ability to bring converts to Christ. And the same thing certainly happens in my life. Its so easy to trust in man instead of in God. Faith in God vs faith in man. Let us all be careful to keep our Faith firmly placed upon the only right and firm foundation. As our relationship with Him grows, so will our Faith in Him grow. I also agree with Ken. The demons have a faith that Jesus is and was who He claimed to be. Their faith, in this sense, may be even stronger than ours. But clearly, such a faith cannot save anyone. The Faith that saves is a Faith that changes us, that bears the fruit of righteousness. Dave (David E. Buxton) davidbu@tekigm2.MEN.TEK.COM