| A Prayer of Faith |  |
When Jesus departed, two blind men followed him, crying, and
saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was
come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith
unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto
him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to
your faith be it unto you. But I have prayed for thee, that thy
faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren.
He put no difference between us and them, purifying their
hearts by faith. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the
Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience
to the faith among all nations, for his name: For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, The just shall live by faith. Even the righteousness of
God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them
that believe: for there is no difference: Whom God hath set forth
to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through
the forbearance of God.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of
works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that
a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Seeing
it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and
uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law
through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. But to
him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or
upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned
to Abraham for righteousness.
Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the
righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:
that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they
be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them
also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the
circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith
of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was
not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the
righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be
heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end
the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which
is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all.
Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed
not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the
righteousness which is of faith. But the righteousness which is
of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall
ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above).
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the
prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: That your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are
the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God
would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be
blessed.
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful
Abraham. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism ... Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ.
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that
they may be sound in the faith.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering, (for he is faithful
that promised).
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by
the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also.
The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall
raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be
forgiven him. Who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. That the
trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
souls. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the
dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in
God.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this
is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith ...
building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Ghost.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Glimpses of God © by Joyce C. Lock
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About the Author:
Joyce C. Lock founded and maintains the email ministries
"Heavenly Inspirations"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and
"Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .
She also has a published e-book, "The Difference",
which can be purchased here:
http://www.theeaglesgarden.com/
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