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NASB | Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; |
Subject: Grace AND? |
Bible Note: Rowdy, Part 2: "The Requirements for Salvation Faith. Since the grace method of salvation is incompatible with works, it must also be true even by logic alone that the application to individuals of the salvation provided in that grace principle must also be of such a nature as to exclude works. And we do indeed find that the biblical presentation confirms our logical supposition. In order to see this it is necessary to look at (1) the meaning of faith, (2) the object of faith, and (3) the source of faith. We should note that the words variously rendered in English as “faith,” “faithful,” “believe,” “belief” and “trust” are translations of related words in Greek. The first presentation of the faith principle in Scripture is found in Gen. 15:1–6. There Abraham, who was childless, simply trusted God when He said He would give him physical heirs even though he and Sarah were past the age of having children. The exposition of this is found in Rom. 4. The point is that God promised, and Abraham believed He would do what He had promised. Abraham acknowledged that he could not establish his own line of physical descent (vv. 17, 19) and that God could and would do it. Abraham’s faith is not specifically exercised with regard to his own eternal welfare, but only with regard to God’s provision of an heir. But this was the issue for him. Further, Abraham believed that God was able to bring life from where there was death (vv. 17, 19; cf. Heb. 11:19). So Abraham acknowledged his inability, relied on God’s promises and ability, put confident trust in God despite outward circumstances (v. 17—God views the things that don’t exist as though they did), and counted on the life-giving ability of God. Paul’s discussion of Abraham’s faith is designed to show what saving faith is for those in any age. In general, then, we can say that faith is firm reliance, trust, and confidence in a God who provides what we cannot, especially when it comes to providing life (see Rom. 1:16–17 and its quotation of Hab. 2:4). From what we’ve already said, it is evident that the object of trust, saving faith, is the God who saves. It is not the faith that saves a person, but the object of faith. It’s not the faith itself as a psychological phenomenon that saves, but the work of Christ applied by the Spirit. Faith is the human requirement used by the Spirit. It is important to notice that the Bible never says that a person is saved on account of his faith, but rather through it. Why isn’t faith really a kind of work on our part? Our previous illustrations clarify this: 1. The grace principle excludes works. 2. Faith acknowledges our inability to do what is required to correct our relationship with God. 3. Faith is simple saying “I can’t, but God can. I can’t work, but God can and will.” 4. God has already provided salvation. It is spoken of as a “gift of grace.” (AV) J. Gresham Machen says: The reception of that gift is faith; faith means not doing something but receiving something; it means not the earning of a reward but the acceptance of a gift. A man can never be said to obtain a thing for himself if he obtains it by faith; indeed to say that he obtains it by faith is only another way of saying that he does not obtain it for himself but permits another to obtain it for him. Faith, in other words, is not active but passive; and to say that we are saved by faith is to say that we do not save ourselves but are saved only by the one in whom our faith is reposed. . . . As to the origin of faith, it is God Himself. There are a number of direct statements that demonstrate this: 1. Heb. 12:2—Jesus is the “author and perfector of our faith.” (NIV) Although the primary emphasis here may be on Jesus as an example for us to follow, it is also likely that the verse indicates that He is the source of our faith. One writer points out that our faith “is initiated and sustained by him because he has prayed the Father that we may come to faith.” 2. Phil. 1:29—Here our suffering and believing are linked; if we believe, then we can expect suffering, and both have their source in God. In fact the verb translated “given” (AV) and “granted” (NASB, NIV) suggests, more than the usual verb for “give”, a free, unsolicited gift. 3. Acts 3:16—Faith comes through the name of Jesus, apparently as individuals give Him His due. 4. Acts 13:48—Those appointed to eternal life believed (exercised faith). Although it is not specifically stated that faith comes directly from God, it is implied that they could not have had faith without some work of God. 5. Acts 16:14—Lydia’s response is made possible only by God. We conclude, then, that faith has its source in God, is the only divinely appointed channel for receiving God’s gracious provision in Christ, and is not a work." [Paul S. Karleen, The Handbook to Bible Study] I hope this helps, BradK |