Sermon Central
-
Our God-Given Faith
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Peter refers to our God-given faith as "precious". What makes it so is because of who gave it and what it accomplishes in our life.
OUR GOD-GIVEN FAITH (II Peter 1:1)
“From Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours.” Today’s English Version
“From Simon Peter, a servant and missionary of Jesus Christ. To: All of you who have our kind of faith. The faith I speak of is the kind that Jesus Christ our God and Savior gives to us. How precious it is, and how just and good He is to give this same faith to each of us.” The Living Bible
Peter refers to our God-given faith as "precious". What makes it so is because of who gave it to us and what it accomplishes in our life. Consider:
I. We need to define the difference between "God-given faith" and a "faith devised by man".
God-given faith is evidenced by good works: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
Man-devised faith is strong on "talk" but weak on "walk": "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20
II. God-given faith produces salvation.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
III. God-given faith produces righteousness.
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness." Romans 4:5.
IV. God-given faith produces justification.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1.
V. God-given faith produces confidence.
"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." Ephesians 3:12. Also Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33.
VI. God-given faith produces victory.
"…this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" I John 5:4-5.
