What Is Faith ?

[christian_crusader]

A question of faith and how to practice it?

Is faith simply a matter of following doctrine and the bible or is faith just a matter of believing in something greater then yourself?

I often ask my self this question and find myself repeating the question , to find a answer, witch is why I posted it in this room as I would like to gather a array of responses from all sides of the fence.

Even though I’m a Christian , just because I disagree with some scripture or doctrine , dose that make me any less of a Christian and to further add  fuel on this fire , who are we to judge , isn’t their a saying ,Do not judge , unless  ye be judged  and their is only one final judgment ?

Naturally their will be some people who say, to question scripture is to question god and that is forbidden? However how are we to improve our faith and our belief, if we do not ask the difficult questions? Are we so narrow minded we can not discuss the issues such as Organized Religion and the complacent hierarchy.

I guess, what I’m trying to say, dose thinking anything of this nature, make you any less of a believer then the next person?

SO THEN MY NEXT QUESTIONS IS

If the answer is , yes it dose make me less of a beliver , without giving biblical reteric How do i become a better christian , by simply accepting certian aspects of doctrine without question ?, How dose one develope stronger faith ?

[Soldier4Christ]

You cover quite a bit of ground in your post. First of all I will address the question on judgment. This is an oft time misunderstood  and abused portion of scripture. If we do not make judgments of any kind then how can we determine what is truth and what is not. When you say that you disagree with some scripture you are making a judgment and it is judging God's word. Should we not judge the word of man and not the word of God but rather trust in the word of God to be the truth?  I refer you to the following thread for a bit more on the subject of judging.

http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=17272.0

Faith

Faith is the conviction of the truthfulness of God, the reliance upon Christ and Christ alone for salvation, the hope that we have in the promises of Christ, believing in Him and Him alone.

How does one have stronger faith?

We put our trust in Christ and His word, not the word of men. To disagree with scripture is to disagree with God. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, not the hearing of the doctrines of men but the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Our faith is in God not in men. Reading His word with fervent prayer that He lead us in our studies, then applying it to our lives, trusting in Him and our faith will grow stronger.

[christian_crusader]

We put our trust in Christ and His word, not the word of men. To disagree with scripture is to disagree with God.

Good Point , but the thing that confuses me , Dosent man write scripture , weather it be through devin wisdom or implementing it through the conclave. Matthew, Mark , luke and John were simply men ?. so is your advise not to listen to them ?. i think not.

So now what men do you listen to ? .  for what reason?   and why dont you listen to others ?. Can you now see my delima in what i ask ?

[nChrist]

Good Point , but the thing that confuses me , Dosent man write scripture , weather it be through devin wisdom or implementing it through the conclave. Matthew, Mark , luke and John were simply men ?. so is your advise not to listen to them ?. i think not.

So now what men do you listen to ? .  for what reason?   and why dont you listen to others ?. Can you now see my delima in what i ask ?

Hello Christian_Crusader,

The Holy Bible is called GOD'S WORD because it is GOD'S WORD. GOD simply used men to write what HE wanted written. The Bible provides its own proof for this from cover to cover. As one tiny example, hosts of prophecies were fulfilled. JESUS CHRIST was written about by Old Testament Prophets. The Words in the Holy Bible are GOD Breathed by the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, and they never were men's words.

2 Timothy 3:12-17 NASB
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!