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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]. |
Bible Question:
I came across this while studying Romans today and I thought it does add something to this post. It from Romans 2:14-16 "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." To me this seems to be saying that people who do not know the gospel or law (I want to add emphasis on the fact that they do not know it and not just refusing to accept it) can be saved by their conscience, or in the way I look at it, their heart. I would like to know what you guys think about this. Brother in Christ, Rex |
Bible Answer: Fletch, This is a hard one, for sure. Let me quote 2 heavies then hazard a conclusion: “At First God Deemed It Sufficient to Inscribe the Natural Law, or the Decalogue, Upon the Hearts of Men; But Afterwards He Found It Necessary to Bridle, with the Yoke of the Mosaic Law, the Desires of the Jews, Who Were Abusing Their Liberty; And Even to Add Some Special Commands, Because of the Hardness of Their Hearts.” (Iraneus, Against Heretics, Book 3, Ch 15) Recall that Noah, Enoch and Abraham were before the Decalogue. So those were righteous who trusted God and who did what God by grace had inscribed on the hearts of men. “Nor ought it to disturb us that the apostle described them as doing that which is contained in the law "by nature,"--not by the Spirit of God, not by faith, not by grace. For it is the Spirit of grace that does it, in order to restore in us the image of God, in which we were naturally created. Sin, indeed, is contrary to nature, and it is grace that heals it,--on which account the prayer is offered to God, "Be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee." Therefore it is by nature that men do the things which are contained in the law; for they who do not, fail to do so by reason of their sinful defect. In consequence of this sinfulness, the law of God is erased out of their hearts; and therefore, when, the sin being healed, it is written there, the prescriptions of the law are done "by nature,"--not that by nature grace is denied, but rather by grace nature is repaired. For "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men; in which all have sinned;" wherefore "there is no difference: they all come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace." By this grace there is written on the renewed inner man that righteousness which sin had blotted out; and this mercy comes upon the human race through our Lord Jesus Christ. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (St Augustine, A Treatise On The Spirit And The Letter, Chapter 47) Augustine observes that Paul is talking about gentiles who do the Law by nature, not apart from grace, but by nature that is “ restored” and “healed” by God’s grace, His active agency within their responsive hearts. Jesus taught, “If you would enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17). The Commandments stand; break one, you break all (James:10-11); therefore it follows that we must follow Christ because he is both the “end of the Law” (Rom 10:14), the Law itself (John 14.6), and also the one who enables us to do it (John 15.5). It seems to follow, therefore, that if one never hears of Christ or the Law yet by God’s grace he follows what God has written on his heart, then he has a solid shot at righteousness and heaven. Colin |