You replied : When one believes the testimony of the scriptures (i.e. the Apostles).
Brother, even the devil believes the testimony of Scripture - and rejects it! Is that saving faith? No, faith is more then intellectual belief in the apostle's testimony. Faith is intellectual belief, acceptance and trust in God. However, to be a "genuine faith", in other words, one that justifies, you will ALSO need to include good deeds, as James 2 says - "we are justified by works" {of love, not the law}. (this presumes faith in the formula. It does not exclude faith)
I wrote : They BOTH come from God! Our works AND our faith BOTH come from God. It sounds like you are trying to place more "value" in faith and relagate works to something of secondary importance.
you wrote : I see them ... as I see the various parts of my being ... my heart ... my brain ... my intelligence ... my hands ... my eyes ... etc.
OK, I misunderstood you. I don't see faith or deeds in a primary/secondary relationship as some people do. In reality, however, Paul says we are nothing without love (1 Cor 13:2). Thus, faith alone does not save. Our salvation depends on our response to God, because God grants EVERYONE the grace to come to faith and to do good deeds. Faith AND works are OUR use of God's Great Gifts. When we use those gifts He has given us, He is well pleased, and we are justified in His eyes.
Brother in Christ
I wrote : First of all, how does one KNOW they have a "genuine faith"?
You replied : When one believes the testimony of the scriptures (i.e. the Apostles).
Brother, even the devil believes the testimony of Scripture - and rejects it! Is that saving faith? No, faith is more then intellectual belief in the apostle's testimony. Faith is intellectual belief, acceptance and trust in God. However, to be a "genuine faith", in other words, one that justifies, you will ALSO need to include good deeds, as James 2 says - "we are justified by works" {of love, not the law}. (this presumes faith in the formula. It does not exclude faith)
There is no scriptural teaching that the devil believes the testimony of scripture.
What the scripture does say ... is that the devil(s) believe that there is a God.
And why shouldn't they ... they lived in His presence for likely millenia.
Satan and His co-horts do not agree with God ... which would be the case if they believed the testimony of scripture.
From the beginning in the garden, ... Satan has declared that what God has said ... is a lie.
Believers have believed God ... something which God takes very seriously.1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.In reality, however, Paul says we are nothing without love (1 Cor 13:2). Thus, faith alone does not save. Our salvation depends on our response to God, because God grants EVERYONE the grace to come to faith and to do good deeds. Faith AND works are OUR use of God's Great Gifts. When we use those gifts He has given us, He is well pleased, and we are justified in His eyes.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God ?
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10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
My friend ... a man's faith is the catalyst ... everything else is a result of God's response to that faith.
Paul explicitly expounded (throughout his writings) ... that faith is the Key ... which unlocks the door to the life (of love, peace, goodness, joy, etc.) that God desires for us.Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:We are saved by God's grace ... through faith ... not of works ... to perform good works.
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.