Comments on: Got Faith?

By: randy

randy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:46:09 +0000

I think MichaelAJ’s comment falls right in line with the words of our Savior recorded in Luke 18:17: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Apart from simple, childlike trust we cannot enter the kingdom and cut ourselves off from that eternal, true joy to be found only in Jesus.

By: randy

randy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:21:37 +0000

The Westminster talks about weak faith and strong faith, so, for a believer, doubt might be considered to be a dilution of faith. It can be mixed with our faith, thus keeping it less than full vigor.
This would not take away from the motivational part of it that Dave mentions. It would be like looking in a mirror and seeing that I am far from full physical fitness, and thus motivated to seek a higher level of health.

Peter (in I Peter) considers the trials we encounter to be proof of our faith. I view this trying or testing of our faith to be like wringing the water out of a wet towel. What is worked out is doubt, leaving behind a purer, stronger,less diluted faith.

As we have described doubt here we have clearly put it forth as something that belongs to believers. Unbelief, quite clearly, belongs not to believers but to those who lack saving faith. This unbelief is sin and stands awaiting the judgment of God. It is not without remedy, however. Repentance and turning to the Crucified One is the answer to all sin.

It should be an interesting discussion in class tomorrow as we begin dealing with the skepticism mentioned in Keller’s book

By: Michael AJ

Michael AJ — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:55:03 +0000

It’s not a sin to struggle with questions of who God is and what it means to belong to him. If you have an attitude that questions whether or not God and his word can be trusted. A mistrustful, suspicious attitude toword God poisons our spirit, making joy impossible.

By: David

David — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:05:00 +0000

I believe that doubt is a form of faith. It is the growing edge of our faith that ignites the hunger to seek
knowledge of the truth that is in the Bible. With this knowledge, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are assured of the personal work of Jesus Christ. Therefore I don’t believe doubt is a sin but a tool for us to use in our Christian walk.

By: randy

randy — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:01:45 +0000

In his ‘Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans,’ Luther says:

‘Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure
and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a
thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s
grace makes us glad and bold and happy in dealing with God
and all his creatures. And this is the work which the Holy
Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion,
Christians are ready and glad to do good to everyone, to
serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise
to God who has shown them this grace. Thus it is impossible
to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to
separate heat and light from fire.’

Faith and action are inseparable, both flowing from the heart which has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

But what about doubts? The Westminster Confession says:

‘This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be
often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the
victory: growing up in many to the attainment of full
assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and
finisher of our faith.’

So, is doubt sin?

By: Michael AJ

Michael AJ — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:35:42 +0000

Faith means believing in and obeying God, which requires relying on what we cannot see-God’s promises,provisions and concern for us. An inner attitude alone does not define faith,though. For faith to be present, action is required. Faith proves itself by obedience to the Lord. Utlimately, the way we see God will determine the shape of our faith.

Is it a sin to doubt?

Is God offended by doubts?