You asked "How does God know we have faith?"
The easy answer is because God gave it to us as a gift. We don't have to prove anything to God. He provides for us even in our salvation. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to keep us strong in the faith given to us by Him. When we stray, the Holy Spirit pulls us back by His word.
The Israelites always relied on God for salvation, not on themselves just like Christians should do. We shouldn't be so proud as to look at what we've done over what Christ has done for us.
We live our lives as Christians not to earn anything from God. That would be by works if we did.
Hi friend, thanks for your reply.
I know that is the position widely taught and accepted in the modern churches, especially here in America... But, when we set aside our denominational Statements of Faith and look past the filters of the traditions of man that have crept into the assemblies, and focus solely on the written Word, while seeking the Living Word, we find the Gospel is a bit different than most teach today.
Again, "salvation" is the beginning, not the end of our journey. The New Testament alone says at least 6 times that we must
"walk worthy." Jesus says we must
"bear fruit and so prove to be His disciples." And when we stand before the Lord in that Day, no one will be judged or rewarded by what they 'believed' or had an abstract 'faith' in. According to what Jesus and the Apostles taught, all - and especially "Christians" - will be judged
"according to our works."
My own prayer is that the churches teach the whole Truth of the Gospel.... For Truly God determines whether we are a Christian by what we do (our choices, our deeds, our actions), not by what we say we believe in. Never does God judge or reward anyone by their doctrine or statement of faith. He judges and rewards all men according to our works. (Psalm 62:12, Prov 24:12, Jer 17:10, Jer 32:19, Eze 33:20, Lam 3:64, Matt 16:27, John 5:29, Rom 2:6, Rom 14:12, 2 Cor 5:10, 1Pet 1:17, Rev 20:12, and Rev 22:12 for starters)
What Christ has done for us is give us an opportunity to
"come after Him." Yes, we can say we believe, but if we do not
"deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him",
"present our bodies a living sacrifice",
"repent" (actually 'turn away' from our sins), and
"love not our own lives even unto death", we will not
"be conformed into His image" and receive the promises of Revelation 2 & 3. And that is what I'm after. That is what God is after... a
"royal priesthood" who will
"sit with Christ Jesus on His Throne" and minister Life and healing to the saved of the nations. Honestly, I can't settle for less than what God has called me to.
I'm sorry if I come across so bold in what I speak. This message which is throughout the Scripture - both Old and New Testaments - is something beyond the message of hope Jesus brought to the crowds. This is the message He brought to those He desires to "become One with Him as He is One with the Father." (John 17). If we are to be raised in the First Resurrection and dethrone the current
"principalities and rulers of darkness in the heavenlies" and take their place, as Jesus taught, then we absolutely must prove ourselves, walk worthy and endure til the end, through the fiery trials and tests the Lord God leads us into. Truthfully, there will be no 'sinners saved by grace' in this group. Many of the "sheep" of the nations, raised in the Second Resurrection will be 'sinners saved by grace' but they will be the inheritance of the overcoming saints. And even these are welcomed into the Kingdom based on their works (Matt 25).
Oh Glory! May we be among those who
'hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches", and
"press in" as Paul exhorted us, and
"lay hold of what Christ Jesus has laid hold of us for."
Peace & Blessings to you.
