General Articles

By Faith :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7

The Bible makes it very clear we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and there is no other way to be saved (John 14:6).

What does “to be saved” mean? It means to be born again (John 3:3).

What does “to be born again” mean? It means to be born spiritually into the family of God (John 3:5-8).

How is one saved? He/she is saved by God’s grace of accepting our faith in His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we are lost, we are locked in Satan’s slave market of sin, but by putting our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Jesus buys us from that slave market, frees us, and adopts us as His own. In effect, we trust Him to save us, and He does, becoming our Savior and Lord.

As our Savior, we worship Him because He saved us by His own shed blood that paid all our sin debt. He bought us, in other words.

As our Lord, we serve Him out of gratitude and love.

If He saved us by faith, it is reasonable to assume we live for Him each day the same way … by faith. Actually, it’s more than an assumption; it is true.

Most people believe we must do something to be saved. We must add something to faith, but that is not what God says.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Another problem arises, and that is, so many people who are actually saved think they must do something to keep being saved. The Bible teaches just the opposite, though. Why would any rational person think that God uses our faith to save us by His grace, and then decides to keep a tab of our works to determine if we remain saved?

Martin Luther wrestled with Romans 1:17 for years. Due to his Catholic indoctrination, he just could not separate faith and works, until one day it finally hit him. It wasn’t HIS righteousness that saves; it was JESUS’ righteousness. (Nothing has changed.) Then on October 31, 1517, he posted his 95 thesis on the church door of Wittenberg, Germany. From that point on, his life of misery became a life of inner peace.

At this point, I am going to provide a list of Scriptures just showing those that have the phrase “by faith” and what “by faith” is referring to in each Scripture.

  • Acts 15:9 purifying their hearts by faith
  • Act 26:18 sanctified by faith
  • Romans 1:17 faith to faith; live by faith
  • Romans 3:22 righteousness of God by faith
  • Romans 3:28 justified by faith
  • Romans 3:30 justify circumcision by faith and uncircumcision by faith
  • Romans 5:1 justified by faith
  • Romans 5:2 access by faith
  • Romans 9:32 (Israel) sought it (law of righteousness) not by faith
  • Romans 11:20 stand by faith
  • 2 Corinthians 1:24 stand by faith
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 walk by faith
  • Galatians 3:11 live by faith
  • Galatians 3:22 promise by faith
  • Galatians 3:24 justified by faith
  • Galatians 3:26 children of God by faith
  • Galatians 5:5 hope of righteousness by faith
  • Ephesians 3:17 Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith
  • Philippians 3:9 righteousness by faith
  • Hebrews 10:38 live by faith

And then in the following passages, the writer of Hebrews mentions a few who lived by faith:

  • Hebrews 11:4 Abel
  • Hebrews 11:5 Enoch
  • Hebrews 11:7 Noah
  • Hebrews 11:8 Abraham and Sarah
  • Hebrews 11:20 Isaac
  • Hebrews 11:21 Jacob
  • Hebrews 11:22 Joseph
  • Hebrews 11:23 Moses’ parents
  • Hebrews 11:24 Moses
  • Hebrews 11:31 Rahab
  • Hebrews 11:32 Others

None of these people were without sin. Not one of them is perfect, but they are God’s people. How is that? Could it be that their lives were in God’s hands, and it was up to God to guarantee they remain there?

My point is we are saved by faith, and as Christians, we live each day by faith. That does not mean that if our faith is weak one day, we are in trouble of losing it all. We can no more be unborn spiritually than we can be unborn physically. Once we are saved, we are always saved, held in God’s strong grasp.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30).

Once saved, we are sealed by God with His own Spirit to keep us, teach us and guide us.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“But what about James 2:24,” someone says? Now, if I could ask a question, “Did you read it all or just that one verse?”

The Bible was not written with man’s interruption. It was written by the Holy Spirit using different men over a long period of time to write the words of God.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

“He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.

“We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

With that in mind, GOD NEVER CONTRADICTS HIMSELF. Everything God wrote for us through Moses will agree with everything He wrote for us through the apostle John. Everything Jesus said in the Gospels agrees perfectly with the rest of His word.

Therefore, there is no disagreement between James 2:24 and Galatians 2:16 (for example). The problem is with our interruptions. God speaks plainly and clearly, but we can’t read one little verse and take it out of context. We must read it all. If we can’t understand something in the Bible, we need to keep studying it and ask for His guidance.

We are spiritually born by faith in Jesus Christ … plus NOTHING. We live each day the same way. God does the saving and keeping. Our part is, “just trust Him.”

Do works ever count in our life as something God acknowledges? They most certainly do, but only after we’re saved. Please remember this: When we are saved, we then have a relationship with God. He becomes our Father, our Savior and bridegroom, and the Deposit guaranteeing that relationship never changes. Also, because of that relationship, we can now fellowship with Him. So now, as a new Christian, two things exist between us and God; (1) relationship and (2) fellowship. We are now in the family of God (relationship), and we can interact (fellowship) within the family of God.

Let me give an example.

When you were born, you automatically had relatives, those you are related to, such as your parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. That is a relationship.

Now that you are in that family, you have interactions between you and your family members throughout your life. That is fellowship.

You may be a rapscallion, but you will always have that relationship. Your fellowship may suffer, but you cannot change the relationship.

What do parents expect of their children? They expect the children to trust them and follow their leadership. Do they always do that? No, but they are still their children.

If we are in God’s family, the relationship will never be broken, but He expects us, as His children, to trust Him and follow His leadership. Do we always do that? No, but we are still in the family, even though we hurt our fellowship with Him. This is exactly why the Lord had the apostle John write these words:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

He wants us to live by faith just as we trusted Him to save and keep us. When we fall, come to Him, admit it, ask forgiveness to restore the fellowship, and then continue living by faith.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

To Fast and Pray :: By Teresa Purtee

Published on: by RR7

As I watch/read the headlines {maybe I should say read in between the headlines as they’re rarely fair or accurate} over the past few weeks and months, I am moved to increase the practice of fasting. Admittedly, I have not made enough of an effort to make fasting a priority in my walk with the Lord. Scripture speaks of when we fast, not if we fast, which implies that it should be a regular practice. May we all draw closer to the Lord in these days and times.

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites; of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”

I suppose I should begin by saying that I have never written an article or posted commentary like this before, so forgive me if it doesn’t meet the standard. My heart has been so heavy recently as the evil in this world grows increasingly darker by the minute. The great deception is shifting into high gear. I have so many lost loved ones that are so blinded, it’s heartbreaking. I know many of you understand this all too well.

Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient….”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

I would like to invite you to fast and pray with me in regards to a couple of things of great concern.

First, Covid19… the news is all about a vaccine. The wealthy are pouring millions into a vaccine which they have declared “the only answer” and are wanting to force it on every single human being. {If you do refuse the vaccine, there will be a high price to pay… denied entry to grocery stores, higher health insurance premiums and denied employment.} It may include a digital ID, and who knows what else they will try to sneak in to “track us.”

I am, in no way, claiming that the pandemic is not real, but I don’t believe we have any real, accurate knowledge of how many people have been affected or died from it. The test results and reporting have been a disaster. I believe that although this has been unleashed by Satan to destroy the church and to divide and conquer humanity, God is using it to open the eyes of the unsaved and those who have been lukewarm. {What Satan meant for evil, God worked it for our good.} There have been many people turning turn to the Lord during this time of trial.

First and foremost, I’m praying for the will of God to be done… whatever that turns out to be. But I allowed myself to imagine, just for a moment, the reaction of humanity if the Lord spoke and calmed this storm. One word from God, and the miracle of healing could sweep across this land, and Covid19 would be gone even quicker than it came. Doctors, nurses, first responders and all humanity… I dare say even some “Christians” would be speechless. The millions poured into the “only thing that can save us,” a vaccine, would be for naught. I pray and fast that the Lord would make his healing power known to a lost and dying world and that an end times revival would take place.

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Secondly, the upcoming election. I read an article today that had celebrities {why anyone gives their advice any consideration is beyond me}, urging people to vote as if their lives depended on it. I would implore you to vote as if your freedom and right to worship depended on it. Because it does. The persecution of the church has increased with lightning speed. If we speak anything Biblical, it is considered hate speech, and our right to worship has been absolutely trampled on, all the while people are gathering in the streets to loot, injure, kill and destroy everything in sight. Our right to bear arms, to have police protection, and most importantly our right to worship our Saviour are all at stake. If the wrong person is elected, the consequences will be swift and severe {Marxism/socialism/communism}.

I spoke with a friend a few days ago who, not unlike myself, has not been overly political in the past. She made the comment to me that she just goes by how the candidate seems to treat his family and his/her ease of speaking. In a word, charisma… if they have charisma, she votes for them. The man of lawlessness will be very charismatic, and that will be one of his greatest tools. As I said to my friend, please do your homework… know who you’re voting for and what they stand for. It is critical in this election. Through prayer and fasting, we must make our requests known to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

There are many evil forces coming against our sitting president, and the disrespect shown to him is mind boggling to me. Democrat, Republican or Independent… we are all human beings. Whatever happened to disagreeing or even disliking someone without wishing them dead. The present world is filled with so much hate and evil… we must, as Christians, cry out to God and say we need you here, Lord.

I understand that we are on the fast track to rapture or tribulation, depending on whom you serve, but I will fast and pray for just a little more time so that my lost loved ones might turn around before it is everlastingly too late. It is an emotional time for many of us, longing for the Lord to come for us on the one hand and crying out for just a little more time on the other hand.

I’m calling on all Christians to fast and pray with me that the Lord’s will be done and for protection in these last minutes before we are caught up to be with the Lord forevermore, and that our lost loved ones will have moments of clarity to repent before the Lord calls us home.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall arise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Saviour, now would be a good time to pray, repent of your sins and invite Christ into your heart. Time is short; don’t put it off. If you take one step in his direction, he’ll run to meet you where you are. He is longsuffering and doesn’t want anyone to perish.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Teresa Purtee

dtpurtee@gmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV.