An example of Faith

 As an example of someone who prayed “the prayer of faith,” James referred to Elijah. By his prayer, Elijah withheld all rain for three and a half years, and then caused rain to fall again. (See James 5:17–18.) 

Scripture indicates that the giving and withholding of rain is a divine prerogative, exercised by God Himself. (See, for example, Deuteronomy 11:13–17 and Jeremiah 5:24; 14:22.) Yet, for three and a half years, Elijah exercised this prerogative on God’s behalf. 

James emphasized that Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17)—a human being just like the rest of us. But as long as he was enabled to pray with God’s faith, the words he uttered were as effective as God’s own decrees.

However, faith of this kind does not need to operate through a spoken word only. It was by this same kind of supernatural faith that Jesus was able to walk on the stormy Sea of Galilee. (See Matthew 14:25–33.) 

In this case, He did not need to speak; He merely walked out onto the water. Peter began to follow the example of Jesus and to exercise the same kind of faith. This enabled him to do precisely the same thing that Jesus was doing.

But when he looked away from Jesus to the waves, his faith deserted him, and he began to sink! 

The comment that Jesus made is very illuminating: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Jesus did not reprove Peter for wanting to walk on the water. He reproved him for losing faith in the middle of doing so.

Two natures in men

 The concept of "two natures in men" in the Bible, particularly related to believers, refers to the idea that individuals have a natural, fallen nature inherited from Adam and a new, spiritual nature given through faith in Christ. The old, natural nature is associated with sin and weakness, while the new nature, empowered by the Holy Spirit, enables believers to live a life pleasing to God. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

The Old Nature (Fallen Nature):

This is the nature inherited from Adam's fall, characterized by sin and a tendency towards self-centeredness. It's also referred to as the "flesh" or "old man" in some contexts according to the Bible. 

The New Nature (Spiritual Nature):

This is the new life given to believers through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. It's associated with righteousness, holiness, and a desire to live in accordance with God's will. 

 The Conflict:

The two natures often exist in tension within a believer, leading to a struggle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit according.

Overcoming the Old Nature:

Believers are called to "crucify the flesh" or "walk by the Spirit," which involves actively choosing to live according to the new nature and seeking the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Ultimate Hope:

The ultimate hope for believers is that the old, fallen nature will be completely eradicated in the resurrection, when they receive a new, glorified body according to doctrine.org. 

This understanding of the "two natures" is not a simple dualism (where body and soul are seen as separate and opposed), but rather a concept that emphasizes the believer's ongoing struggle toward spiritual growth and transformation according to Ligonier Ministries. It highlights the power of the Holy Spirit to renew and transform the believer, enabling them to live a life of holiness and righteousness.

TRUST IN THE LORD, NOT IN SELF

 (2 Corinthians 1:9). 

This dramatic statement by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul has given me a much needed explanation of my life’s journey and the strength to continue it with hope and spiritual vigor. Not trusting in ourselves is a major hurdle that we all must face and overcome. Generally, we face our hurdles without recognizing that they are not our real problem. Often, we look at difficulties as the devil coming against us; therefore, we pray and pray believing that the Lord will remove our impediments without realizing that they are designed to destroy self-trust. 

Trusting in ourselves is our real hurdle. 

Self-trust is a weapon that the enemy often uses to defeat us. Paul says that the sentence of death in ourselves is God-ordained; that we should not trust in ourselves, but in the ever-present, all knowing, and all powerful God.  

The scriptures say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3: 5-7). 

These scriptures tell us how to be victorious in all situations and circumstances. We are to trust the Lord with all our heart and not be wise in our own eyes! We must not lean on our own understanding or trust in our natural wisdom because our understanding and wisdom are inadequate and limited. Jesus is the Wisdom of God. Let’s practice leaning on and acknowledging Him in everything we do. This is His road to success. The promise is that He will direct our paths. 

We are designed by God to live in total dependence upon Him. It was Adam’s independence that caused our problems.

 Disobedience says, “I’m my own person.” It is an expression of self-trust and not trust in the Lord. Trusting in the Lord means obeying Him and depending on Him even when you don’t understand. 

Let us thank the Lord in all our trials because He is bringing us to the end of ourselves. When we no longer have self to depend on, we will have learned to depend upon and trust Jesus, our Lord.

Our works can not save us

No, your works cannot save you; salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through good deeds. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Salvation is a gift, not a reward:

The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith, not something earned through good works. 

Ephesians 2:8-9:

This passage clearly states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—not by works—so that no one can boast". 

Good works are a result of salvation, not a means to it:

While good works are important and expected from believers, they are a natural outcome of having a transformed heart through faith, not the basis for earning salvation. 

Focus on faith in Jesus:

The focus should be on trusting in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, not on trying to earn salvation through your own actions. 

James 2:14:

This verse highlights that faith without works is dead, meaning that genuine faith will naturally lead to good works, but good works alone are insufficient for salvation. 

Philippians 2:12:

This verse instructs believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," which is understood as living a life that reflects your faith, not as a means of earning salvation

Faith but not blind faith

 The Bible encourages faith, but not blind or unquestioning faith. It values seeking understanding and discerning truth, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21, which urges believers to "test everything, hold on to what is good". 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Faith as Trust, Not Blind Acceptance:

The Bible emphasizes faith as trust in God based on His character and promises, not simply accepting something without question. 

Seeking Understanding:

The Bible encourages believers to seek knowledge and understanding of God's Word and ways. 

Testing and Discernment:

Passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 John 4:1 encourage believers to "test everything" and to discern between truth and falsehood. 

Examples in the Bible:

Thomas's Doubt: The story of Thomas, who initially doubted Jesus' resurrection, highlights the importance of seeking evidence and not blindly accepting everything. 

Paul's Defense: Paul, in 1 Peter 3:15, encourages believers to be prepared to defend their faith and explain the hope they have in Christ. 

Passages to Consider:

1 Thessalonians 5:21: "Test everything; hold on to what is good." 

1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." 

Proverbs 3:13: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for it is better to seek wisdom than to seek silver, and to get understanding rather than gold."

what is in the heart comes out of the mouth

 The saying "what is in the heart comes out of the mouth" means that a person's words and actions reflect their true feelings and beliefs, often found in religious teachings like the Bible. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Biblical Context:

The phrase is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:18, where Jesus states that "the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" and "what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart". 

Reflection of Inner State:

The saying suggests that a person's words and actions are a manifestation of their inner thoughts, values, and character. 

Positive and Negative Implications:

If a person's heart is filled with good things like love, kindness, and compassion, their words and actions will likely reflect that. Conversely, if their heart is filled with negativity, their words and actions may reflect that as well. 

Practical Application:

This saying serves as a reminder to cultivate a positive and loving heart, as our words and actions can have a significant impact on others. 

Example:

If a person consistently speaks unkind or hurtful words, it may be an indication that their heart is not filled with love and compassion, but rather with negativity or anger.

Result of eternal seperation from God

 According to the Bible, dying in a state of sin, without repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, results in eternal separation from God, known as hell or eternal punishment. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

The Wages of Sin is Death:

The Bible states that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), meaning that the consequence of sin is spiritual death and separation from God. 

Jesus's Role:

Jesus's death on the cross is presented as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of those who believe in him. 

Repentance and Faith:

To be forgiven of sins and have a relationship with God, the Bible teaches that people must repent of their sins and have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior. 

Eternal Consequences:

Those who die in a state of unrepentant sin are said to face eternal punishment, a place of judgment and separation from God, often referred to as hell or the lake of fire. 

Examples in the Bible:

John 8:24: "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." 

John 3:16-18: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." 

Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"