Love Fulfilled Ministry

Now faith exists assurance, hope, proving of things not seen. For in these the elders testified (Hebrews 11:1-2) Faith exists assurance, ὑπόστασις ( hypostasis , from hypo "under' and histemi "stand"), meaning support, substance, steadiness, and assurance. Assurance is defined as the act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence. * Also as the state of being assured; firm persuasion; confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty. Faith exists assurance which is the act of assuring, designed to give confidence and trust.  Confidence is defined as the act of trusting, or putting trust in. There is a difference between assurance and confidence. Faith's assurance is designed to give confidence in God but confidence by itself can be a state of mind characterized by one's reliance on self, and circumstances, having a feeling of self-sufficiency and assurance which leads to a feeling of security; s...

For you have died and your life is hidden together of Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) We have died with Christ, "you also have died to the law through the body of Christ that you might belong to another, the one raised from the dead" (Romans 7:1-6). We were buried with him through baptism so also as Christ was raised we would walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-5). But what does it mean that we are hidden together with Christ? Is it related to our being raised with Christ? This word for hidden κέκρυπται ( kekryptai ) is only found in this verse. It has mostly been translated as "your life has been hidden with Christ" but also as "kept or laid up together with Christ." Let us look at why the latter seems more fitting. therefore, if raised with Christ seek that above where Christ exists seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1) When we look at the word hidden in context we see Paul say something amazing, "if you have been raised with Christ, mindf...

I am the bread of life, the ones coming to me, not one hungers and the ones believing to the extent of me not one thirsts (John 6:35) We see in the scriptures the connection between belief and salvation, the people asked "what must I do to be saved?" and they responded "believe upon the Lord Jesus and be saved.." (Acts 16:30-31). In John 6 we see the connection between believing and eating and drinking, Jesus said that which gives life is real food and real drink. Certainly, one must believe but what is believing, what can one do to believe and be saved? rather what does it say, 'the word is near you in that your mouth and in your heart, this exists the word of faith that we proclaim (Romans 10:8) The word mouth is στόμα ( stoma ) and has a deeper meaning than just speaking words. "... for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Jesus said, the heart determines what comes out of the mouth, thus how can evil speak good? How ca...

for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision strengthens anyone rather faith made effective through love (Galatians 5:6) The word translated above as counts is strengthens (ἰσχύω,  ischuō , to be strong, have strength; strengthen). What strengthens us in Christ? Surely, as we will see it is not going back to the Old Testament and trying to be strengthened with that which does not give strength. What strengthens is faith made effective (ἐνεργέω, energeō , in work; energized; made effective; effectual) through love. The English word energized has its root in this Greek word made effective. Energy is defined as the capacity of acting or being active; the power of operating; power exerted; effectual operation; efficacy; strength or force producing the effect. *  There is a strength produced by faith working or energized or made effective through love.  you have made yourself ineffectual in Christ, whoever justifies himself in the law, fallen from grace (...

 turn your eyes upon Jesus, the author and maturer of your faith... (Hebrews 12:2) Fix your eyes, fix your gaze, turn your eyes upon these are all translations of this Greek word, ἀφοράω ( aphoraō ; from apó , "away from" and horáō , "see") This simple word and act is the basis of how we have faith. It is the part we must do. Call it what you like trusting, putting confidence in, we can only turn our eyes upon Jesus, he is the author and maturer of our faith. just as it is written how timely are the feet of the one preaching the good news (Romans 10:15) At the right time, some one preached the gospel, and believing in our hearts we were made righteous (Romans 10:10). There was a righteousness from the Law that Moses declared, "the person doing these live in them" (Roman 10:5). Obey the Law and live but the righteousness from faith declares sometime different, not what you do but that something is done to you, "the word in near you, in your mouth and i...