Thursday, October 11, 2012

JUDGING TRUE FAITH


"It is not hard for the ignorant sinner to admit he deserves nothing but hell, but the man who pretends to have faith lives a lie. Satan delights in stalling this man's search for fulfillment by cheating him along the way with a counterfeit faith. The Israelites longed for the true worship of God in Jerusalem, but Jeroboam kept them from going there by setting up something like religious worship at home. He substituted golden calves and satisfied many Israelites to such a degree that they never took the first step to Jerusalem.
Be careful not to let Satan cheat you with false faith. Everyone, I know, would have the living child, and not the dead one, to be hers. All of us want true faith. But do not be your own judges; appeal to the Spirit of God and let Him decide the controversy by using the sword of His Word. You say you have faith, but which kind is it-- false or true?
By this time you may want to know what your faith is and how you can judge the truth of it. In your search there are two directions you can take-- one, how the Spirit works faith in the soul; and the other, the characteristics of this faith.
The Spirit works faith in the soul. Faith is the greatest work, which the Spirit of Christ accomplishes in the human spirit. The apostle calls it "the exceeding greatness of His power to toward us who believe" Ephesians 1:19. Notice the expressions of the Spirit of God describing this work of the Spirit: "power," "greatness of power," "exceeding greatness," and "exceeding greatness of His power." What angel in heaven can understand the command of faith's power in the human spirit?
God assigns His whole being to this work. It is compared to "the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power" Ephesians 1:19-21.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

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