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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | continued pursuit, or saving faith | Bible general Archive 4 | Beja | 213709 | ||
must believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Do you think that this refers to something after salvation in the sense that after we are saved we must continue to believe that he is worth further pursuit. A believe without which we will never seek Him thus living in a way that pleases Him. Or do you think this is drawing out the fact that for salvation you must not only have faith that He exists but you must also have faith that He will carry out His promised reward of "salvation." Both are true I believe, the question is which do you think the author of Hebrews is trying to convey. In Love, Beja |
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2 | continued pursuit, or saving faith | Bible general Archive 4 | loavesnfish | 232341 | ||
Dear Beja, Salvation is IN CHRIST, not ouside of Him somewhwere, and we are sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). So it is not a thing to be lost, but a Person we are in continually. Hebrews 11:6 is speaking of how to please Him: by faith. When we walk in a way which does not please Him, we don't change the status of our salvation, because we are still in Christ and remain justified. That is a final accomplishment. If we do what pleases God, He shows His appreciation for our love and service by rewarding us. We please Him and He rewards us. Salvation is NOT a reward, but a GIFT (Ephesians 2:4-10). So these rewards are in addition to salvation. This "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11 was meant to refresh them from their discouragement when they were under heavy persecution. |
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3 | continued pursuit, or saving faith | Bible general Archive 4 | Beja | 232353 | ||
loavesnfish, Wow, very old posts you have brought up. I will respond to this one but not the other. On the other passage my mind has both become resolved on in the three years since I asked the question and I have learned that it is a passage that causes much friction. With regards to this passage. 1. I never meant to suggest anything other than salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. 2. I think the basis of your point hinges on the word "rewarder." If I understand right you are suggesting that the notion of reward implies merit. We affirm that we in no way merit our salvation and therefore the passage can't be speaking of salvation. However, I think we must not import the notion of merit into this greek word in this particular passage. I'll show why in point three. 3.) The author is very much speaking of salvation by faith in this passage. Here is the evidence. ....in verse 3 abel by faith acts and receives the testimony (martureo) that he was righteous. So we see faith evidenced by works resulting in God declaring Abel righteous. ....verse 5 and 6 we see by faith that Enoch received the witness (Martureo) that he was pleasing to God. So again, faith receiving God's acceptance. ....verse 7 by faith Noah acts and builds the ark and is saved from the judgement upon the entire world. Specifically said to beecome an heir to the righteousness which is through faith. So again we see faith resulting in being saved and that faith is evidenced through works. ....verse 39 sums up the entire chapter saying that all these people gained approval (martureo) through faith. This word means testimony most literally. Testimony of what? The account of Abel sets our context. The testimony from God that they were righteous. So the entire chapter which illustrates verse six is all about individuals being declared righteous by God and receiving acceptance from God because of their faith which was evidenced by their works. 4.) This fits perfectly with the purpose of the book of Hebrews. The readers were being tempted to abandon faith in Christ so that they may avoid escalating persecution. Chapter 11 shows them those who because of sincere faith, held to their faith and endured hardship and received the ultimate reward. Likewise, the readers should through sincere faith endure the persecution thus evidencing the sincere faith and receiving salvation through faith as a result. Salvation through faith evidenced by obedience and enduring is what is being taught here. 5.) We must let the term "rewarder" be flexible here as we are guided by the entire chapter to understand that salvation is very much in the author's mind. We must believe that in God there is a great salvation which is valued above all this world and that it is worth enduring the many trials and tribulations through which we must pass in order to receive this salvation. Act 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." We must believe that God is a rewarder of those who seek him. There is no notion of merit here rather simply the declaration that not only must we believe that God exists, but despite all the current hardship and all the lying deceits of the lusts of this world, we must also firmly believe that in God alone is our good and hope in Him. That is faith. In Christ, Beja |
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