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Faith is on going, not just a one time trip to the cross to receive the forgiveness of sin, and then back into the world. No! The book of Hebrews is very clear that faith is a continual belief, which exercises patience unto the end. Faith does not turn back unto perdition. Faith patiently waits for all the promises to be fulfilled, says Hebrews 10:39. Faith patiently endures the chastening of the Father, as sons. Faith understands that the chastening of the Father produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness and holiness, which is required to go into his presence. Faith understands that chastening is not forever, but for a few days. (Hebrews 12:10) Faith understands that chastening is for our profit. Faith understands the Father chastens with His word, not the back of His hand. The hand is for flesh, God’s word is for the spirit. God is the Father of spirits (Hebrews 12:8). Adam is the father of earthly flesh. (Genesis 2:23) Faith understands God does not chasten us after the old man Adam, but after the new man, Jesus Christ. How can the Father chasten the old man, which is dead, being an enemy against God. The old man cannot be trained in the things of God, because they must be spiritually discerned, states I Corinthians 2:14. Trying to train the old man with the word of God would be like trying to train a dog not to be a dog. It cannot be done. God has already dealt with the old man. He buried him. When the Father buried the old man, there was no longer a need for the first covenant, the law. The law was put in to govern sinful flesh, not to train it, but the new covenant is for the new man, who after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, which can be trained by the word of God. Even though the law was spiritual, it was weak through the flesh and could make nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did. Attempting to be perfected, by keeping the commandments in the flesh, is false hope. There is nothing fleshly about the new man, even the glorified body will not be of earthly flesh, but of spiritual flesh. Earthly flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither can corruption inherit incorruption, states I Corinthians 15:50. Faith understands this. Faith understands that the Holy Spirit is training and grooming us to be presented faultless to the Father, as dear children. Jesus said when the Holy Spirit comes, He will teach us all things. Faith understands we must be obedient children in order to enter into his presence. Faith understands chastening is a part of the covenant, which God promised. He said, I will write my laws and commandants in their hearts and they shall not teach every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest. In the old covenant people did not know who The Father is. They thought they did, but when they saw Jesus face to face, they did not recognize Him. Jesus told them, If you have see me you have seen the Father. They could not recognize Him until the new covenant was established, and the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell in men. The scripture says, I will dwell in them and I will walk in them. Now man can know the Father. This is eternal life. Faith understands this. The Father is training His own children. He said, I will be a Father to them and they shall be my sons and daughters. We are no longer bastards, but are children of the Most High. We are no longer under tutors and governors of the law. The time has been appointed of the Father where we shall be trained directly by Him of our inheritance. (Galatians 4:1-2) Faith understands that chastening is proof of this. This is why we are exhorted in the book of Hebrews several times saying, Today, if you will hear His voice harden not your hearts. And in Hebrews 12:25, See that ye refuse not him the speaketh. Perfection comes through obedience. Notice Hebrews 5:7-9 concerning this, Who (Jesus) in the days of his (earthly) flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. (This article is an excerpt from my book, Life From On High) Download it Free at fredfishburne.com
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faith, continuing faith, faith undersands, the old man, incorruption, child training,
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