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NASB | Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality--faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. |
Subject: More on faith? |
Bible Note: Charis, I am very intrigued with this discussion centered around Heb. 11:1. Now you have tied this all into something Paul said in Hebrews and that Paul said in Galatians and I see you know some Greek. (I am not being sarcastic either) Now, in this reference, since you know some Greek, I will feel pain for the person reading your version, however, of extrapolating information from this verse 22. Paul is NOT talking about what you referred to as "of course, the Holy Spirit". He is talking about the born-again, revived, renewed SPIRIT OF MAN. This is the same spirit that Paul said WAS dead and is now alive. Who made it alive? Jesus did. And Paul is contrasting in this chapter two things: the works of the flesh, and the works of the spirit. The flesh is our old man that has passed away. Our spirit man is the NEW man that has literally become new. One version of the scripture says "a new species that has never existed before." My point here is for all that read this to be understanding that the Holy Spirit is not the one bearing the fruit. It is YOUR spirit that bears the fruit. And it is either negative and a result of the fleshly desires, or it is positive and a result of godly desires - of the new man. As you fully realize, the translators took the liberty -to their demise - to capitalize the word "spirit" when there is no reference within miles to even cause the most astute scholar to think this might be referring to the Spirit of God. Also, if this were true, then Paul would be slamming Jesus' very powerful teaching that "YOU are the branches - I am the vine - and YOU bear the fruit." Jesus never said HE bore fruit, it is YOU that bears it. And we are also responsible - VERY responsible - for this fruit. Completing the mission here . . . back to the original thought . . . faith IS a result of the human spirit being trained and strengthened. As Mylwa said so eloquently (quoting Paul), this faith comes ONLY from hearing the word of God over and over and over again, and then speaking those words out of our mouths. Of course we can get MORE faith, and we get it the same way we get MORE physical strength. We get physical strength by doing two things: eating physical food, and then exercising some muscle. Without these two ingredients you will gain NO strength. God put this law into motion in the beginning, and Paul simply said, "This is the word of faith that we preach." Then he preached it everywhere. We must take in the spiritual food/nutrients of the Word of God and thus deposit them into our hearts. Then, we must speak them out over and over again and meditate on them, which once again puts them back into our spirit. See the cycle? Then comes the next step: exercise. You will see James make the best reference to this I have ever seen when He said you must EXERCISE YOUR FAITH in the midst of the pressure (thlipsis - meaning presssure, test, trial, etc.). James said as we excercise that muscle of faith DURING the pressure we will produce patience/perseverence and if we will stand strong, and make the faith stronger and be constant, then we will come out complete/mature/ perfect and lacking nothing. In other words: we will win and be victorious!! The key, Charis, is that faith is developed just like your bicep. You must daily walk into that gym, grab a set of weights, and force that muscle to work, and work harder each day, until it gains strength and endurance. You cannot just walk in and develop the strength to bench press 300 pounds! You must start with 100, and slowly move up. Yet, you MUST be consistent and keep EATING RIGHT!! The spirit of man works the same. Joy works this way. Love works this way. Peace works this way and all of the fruits you just mentioned. I hope this helps you in your search for more faith, greater faith, stronger faith, etc. Jesus IS the auther and the developer of your faith. He wants to be involved and as long as your heart is pure and true and you seek His will and truth, He will show you more and more and more. Just don't ever get prideful to where you won't receive the truth. Have a blessed day!! Forever the One |