Standing Firm by Faith

Stand Firm in the Faith has been given permission to post this article by Banner of Truth.

Standing Firm by Faith

To grasp this basic (indeed, very basic) fact, will transform our lives. It is undoubtedly one of the devil's stratagems to turn the Christian in upon himself/herself

by Ian Hamilton

"Faith" is perhaps the most used word in the evangelical vocabulary. Without "faith" it is impossible to please God. We are justified through "faith". We know that the "righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." It is by "faith" that we stand firm. We are to resist the devil "standing firm in the faith." It is our "faith" that overcomes the world. Indeed, "we live by faith and not by sight." Faith is basic and absolutely essential to authentic Christianity. The Bible could not be clearer or more emphatic in its teaching on faith. So far, so good.

There is, however, a problem here that needs to be addressed. When many Christians think about "faith", their tendency is to think first about the "quality" of their faith and not about the "object" of their faith. This leads to a skewing of the Christian life and a lack of personal assurance. I am not saying that we should never reflect on the quality of our faith. Our Saviour rebuked his disciples for their "little" faith. My concern is to remind myself, and those of you reading this, that faith, to quote John Murray is "essentially extraspective" (you could have guessed it was John Murray without me telling you!) Murray's telling phrase highlights the primary movement of true faith. It does not look into self, it is not principally "introspective", it looks out and away to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the focus of faith. Who he is and what he has done is where faith casts its anchor for the soul.

To grasp this basic (indeed, very basic) fact, will transform our lives. It is undoubtedly one of the devil's stratagems to turn the Christian in upon himself/herself (Incurvatus in se, to use Luther's words). Once he gets us preoccupied with looking in, the clouds of our many sins and failures hide the precious and perfect justifying righteousness of our Lord Jesus from our view. We fret over the inconstancy of our faith. We become distressed by the shallowness of our faith. We are humbled by the coldness of our faith. You may now be already asking: but is it not right and good that we do this? Yes - and no! Yes, if we do it "looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." If we do it with both eyes on ourselves, the devil will cast us into the deepest of pits. John Rogers' words are always timely: "Weak faith is true faith - as precious, though not as great as strong faith: the same Holy Ghost the author, the same Gospel instrument... For it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the truth of our faith - not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the want - of faith."

Faith is "essentially extraspective." Faith's first glance is to Christ. But no less is faith's continuing glances focused on Christ. Faith is nourished, not by looking in to find crumbs of spiritual comfort, but by looking out and feeding on the "bread of Life." - He is our great encouragement. His love to me, not my love to him, supports my soul. His faithfulness to me, not my faithfulness to him, will bring me safely home.

In no sense am I seeking to diminish the importance of spiritual responsibility. We are called, to "add to our faith" and to "grow in faith." But first, we are called to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Where are you looking as you read this? Where am I looking? May the Lord give us all grace, and the, wit,' to look out and up (I am speaking theologically, not spacially!), to "fix our eyes on Jesus."' ' He is our everything.

IAN HAMILTON
Cambridge Presbyterian Church, England
Banner of Truth
http://www.banneroftruth.co.uk/pages/articles/article_detail.php?388

In today’s spiritual climate there are many false teachers and some churches that endorse false teachers, some false teachers intermingling with weak churches that have pastors that are not discerning error for their flocks. Stand Firm in the Faith believer! Do not walk with them or partake of these strange manifestations and strange doctrines and teachings that are very prevalent and spiritually destructive and these doctrines of demons are leading many astray, they may be in your town right now.

2 Cor. 11:4

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”

One of the problems in Christianity today is that it is readily believed: because something is supernatural it must be of God. The possibility that it might be evil or demonic is rejected. Scriptures that warn believers ( 1 John 4:1, 2 Thess 2:9-12, 2 Thess 2:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1-2, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Tim 4:3, to test and know that false Christs and false prophets will be in abundance in the last days. These false teachers will cause many to follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned. 2 Peter 2:2.

Stand Firm - Why Put up a Warning about Beth Moore?

Beth Moore is STILL promoting Contemplative Prayer - Stand Firm in the Faith
Moore Praises Brother Lawrence - Apprise Ministries - Sept 4, 2011 http://apprising.org/2011/09/04/beth-moore-praises-brother-lawrence-and-obscures-the-reformation/

 

Video: http://youtu.be/HxzTTSzhQIU

* Also listen to: Beth Moore’s Dangerous Bible Twisting - Chris Rosebrough From show - March 10, 2010 - Radio broadcast examining the errors in Beth Moore’s teachings.  http://www.extremetheology.com/2010/03/beth-moores-dangerous-bible-twisting.html

Why Put up a Warning about Beth Moore?
Beth Moore simulcast conferences are currently being promoted through Churches this month.  One is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2011 an all day event. 

Although, Beth Moore recanted her involvement with the ‘Be Still’ DVD, and the promotion of Contemplative prayer, it seems that it was short lived, and is now again a cause of concern.   (see Apprise article) Also, from her books/studies she tends to take and use scripture out of context to support what level of teaching she is on.

 

One critic wrote: “This particular teaching is plainly shown to take Scriptures out of context in an attempt to try to portray them as saying what she wants them to say. She does this so that her lessons will appear to carry the weight of Biblical authority. This is extremely dangerous, and if you are not paying attention, can sometimes be hard to detect. Rather than taking the Word in hand, and expounding on what it says, she is taking a thought or lesson she likes, and trying to find Scripture that might sound as though it agrees. This is backwards and wrong. It is essentially self-help delivered as being the Word of God! Add to that other teachings that flow from conversations she has had with God (which essentially elevates what she hears to the position of God’s infallible words) and you have spiritual food that is not good for eating.” (3)

Numerous articles on Beth Moore have been written by creditable discernment ministries such as PFO and others who have examined her teachings. http://www.pfo.org/Beth_Moore.htm

It is every Christian’s responsibility to Stand Firm in the Faith. We know there will be those who accuse us of being divisive, but we would say this:

To truly love someone is to strive for what is good for them and to oppose whatever harms them. That is true of husbands and wives love for each other, of parents for their children, of pastors for their congregations, and of believers for all other believers.

 Unfortunately evangelicals who adhere strictly but unpretentiously to the inerrancy of Scripture and refuse to join ranks with those who claim to be Christian but who compromise or denigrate God’s Word are often wrongly accused of being divisive. But God’s true Church is bonded by His Word and the power of His indwelling spirit, who applies and builds the church on and through that Word. (1)

 

** As we grow as Christians and do our Bible studies we want to make sure we are taught by teachers who rightly dividing the Word. 2 Tim 2:15 says:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “

Word of Truth: Truth defines the nature of Scripture. It is a beacon of truth in the darkness of all kinds of falsehoods. Teachers of the bible should make every effort to handle His truth (God’s Word) accurately. Failure to do so will lead to divine judgment (see James 3:1). (2)

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

Receive a stricter Judgment: Teachers: teachers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be judged more strictly than others. Their greater influence translates into greater responsibility. Judgment here most likely does not refer to eternal separation from God; rather it suggest a thorough judgment of teachers before Christ. (Matt 5:19; Rom. 14:10-12). Leadership imposes responsibility. (2)

Resources:

Moore Praises Brother Lawrence - Appraise Ministries
http://apprising.org/2011/09/04/beth-moore-praises-brother-lawrence-and-obscures-the-reformation/

Beth Moore’s Dangerous Bible Twisting - Chris Rosebrough - March 10, 2010 - Radio broadcast examining the errors in Beth Moore’s teachings.
http://www.extremetheology.com/2010/03/beth-moores-dangerous-bible-twisting.html

Personal Freedom Outreach - Beth Moore Article Series Here you will find a link to a brief excerpt and info on ordering the Article series from PFO.
http://www.pfo.org/Beth_Moore.htm

When Godly People teach Ungodly Theology - The Subtle Error of Beth Moore
http://www.pfo.org/Moore_1.pdf

Get out of that Pit-iful Theology - A Further look at the Subtle errors of Beth Moore
http://www.pfo.org/Moore_2.pdf

Believing Beth About Believing God - A Further Look at the Deceptive Drifts of Beth Moore
http://www.pfo.org/Moore_3.pdf

Breaking Free from Faulty Strongholds - The Haphazard Hermeneutics of Beth Moore
http://www.pfo.org/Moore_4.pdf

So Long, Beth: Your Precepts Have Been a Bad Friend to Us - Beth Moor'e's Latest Book on Felmale Insecurity
http://www.pfo.org/Moore_5.pdf

End Notes:

1. Romans Commentary - John MacArthur 1994

2. H. Wayne House Th.D, J.D. New Testament - Thomas Nelson Bibles

3. Beth Moore…does she teach the Word? - http://churchsalt.com/2010/03/11/beth-moore-does-she-teach-the-word/

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