Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)

2008-01-01 / 1-2. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

11

Reformed Doctrine, Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith

i.

Faith a gift of God is considered one of the saving graces. Faith enables the elect to believe in Christ to their salvation.[l] This is the work of the Floly Spirit in their hearts.[2] The ministry of the Word ordinarily brings about this grace. [3] Faith is increased and strengthened by the administration of the sacraments änd prayer. [4]

II.

The authority of God speaking in Scripture is believed by the Christian to be true by the same saving grace of faith as works their salvation. [5] God works in the believer differently on each passage of Scripture according to what that passage contains; yielding obedience to commands,[6] trembling at threats,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life and the one to come. [8] However the main acts from saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting on Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life; wrought through the covenant of grace. [9]

III.

This saving faith may be weak or strong;[10] may often be attacked and weakened, but will get the victory. [11 ] It will mature or grow up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith. [13]

Questions

1. Where does saving faith come from and how?

2. How and why do we believe the bible is true?

3. What is the end result of saving faith?

4. Name some ways faith might be attacked or become weak.

[1] Titus 1:1; Heb. 10:39

[2] I Cor. 12:3; John 3:5; 6:44-45, 65; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; II Peter 1:1; see I Peter 1:2

[3] Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 10:14, 17; I Cor. 1:21

[4] I Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 28:19; see Acts 2:38; I Cor. 10:16; 11:23-29; Luke 17:5; Phil. 4:6-7

[5] II Peter 1:20-21; John 4:42; I Thess. 2:13; I John 5:9-10; Acts 24:14

[6] Psa. 119:10-11, 48, 97-98, 167-168; John 14:15

[7] Ezra 9:4; Isa. 66:2; Heb. 4:1

[8] Heb. 11:13; I Tim. 4:8

[9] John 1:12; Acts 15:11, 16:31;Gal. 2:20; II Tim. 1:9-10

[10] Heb. 5:13-14; Rom. 4:19-20; 14:1-2; Matt. 6:30; 8:10

[11] Luke 22:31-32; Eph. 6:16; I John 5:4-5

[12] Heb. 6:11-12; 10:22; Col. 2:2

[13] Heb. 12:2

Dr. Chuck Baynard

a

Communication

Each time we open our mouths that small member of our body called the tongue begins to brag with words of righteousness or wickedness; “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5). This picture of a great fire from a small beginning is well known as the fires raged up the coast of California. The tongue can kindle a fire to warm the heart or bum the spirit. The tongue reveals the soul of a person and communicates that which benefits or wounds. Solomon’s wisdom reads, “The tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many; but fools die for want of wisdom” (Pro. 10:20-21). The speech of man is either a blessing or an irritation: “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness” (Pro. 15:2). A wicked tongue bruises the spirit of another, while truth makes one strong: “A wholesome tongue! is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is breach in the spirit” (Pro. 15:4).

The speech of a Christian should bring words of love and kindness which warms the hearts of friends and neighbors. When we use our tongues it reveals what is in our hearts. And from our hearts should flow the desire to be a blessing. Paul calls our Father the “God of all comfort.” He is our Comforter, the one who walks alongside of us, bearing us up with his tender mercies and love. Thus we are enabled to be a comforter of others: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

The tongue must be bridled as a wild horse, must be disciplined in that comfort which we received from our Savior and Lord. This means that we must first have the communication or Word of the Lord written upon our hearts. The beloved apostle wrote, “And this is his commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 Jo. 3:23-24). John Calvin instructed his students that “divine truth takes root in our hearts before we engage in the work of teaching it to others.” Our tongues are fast to engage in speech before wisdom occupies our thoughts. We must first become learners under the teaching of the Word by the Spirit of God before we can become teachers. We must first know God’s grace and compassion working in our lives before we can truly show compassion to others.!

God first loved us and communicated to us His tender mercies in Christ Jesus. We must therefore come to the Scriptures as the Word by which God continues to communicate to us the wonders of His Creation and Saving Grace. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the Word of God written, revealed to God’s people from the very mouth of God. The Scriptures are “God- Breathed,” given to his people that generations may know him and his redeeming love. The Scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice by which we may glorify our Lord and enjoy Him Continued on page 12