Greetings sis Reis, et al;
Mr. Hawker's comments are a blessing. Faith and patience are
mentioned together in seven verses in the NT. Faith is "substance", that
which can be measured and relied upon. It is not imaginary or open to
interpretation. We have the "/faith *_of_* CHRIST/". It comes from
HIM. It is about HIM. And it depends upon HIM. Faith can be described
as it is found in the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. HE was born of a virgin.
Tempted in all points as we, yet without sin. Went about doing good to
HIS fellow man and walked in perfect obedience to HIS FATHER's
precepts. HE was crucified for those sinners whom HE loved from before
the foundation of the world. HE died and was buried. HE arose again on
the third day. Appeared unto HIS disciples. Was received back into the
heavens, to sit at the FATHER's right hand until such time as HE returns
to gather HIS purchased flock, and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
This is our FAITH.
Patience is that work of the SPIRIT in the sons of GOD whereby HE
keeps them from falling and presents them faultless before the LORD.
Patience is manifested as those who are given "FAITH" wait for HIM.
Peter expressed the "patience" of the saints when he said, "/LORD to
whom shall we go, THOU hast the words of everlasting LIFE, and we
believe and are sure that THOU art the CHRIST the SON of the LIVING
GOD."/ As did Job when he said, "/Though HE slay me, yet will I trust
HIM."/ THis is the patience of the saints for it is the FATHER's
pleasure to give unto them HIS Kingdom.
Blessings, mike
On 3/11/2021 2:34 PM, Soraya Reis wrote:
*"Followers of them, who through faith and patience, inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12*
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*How gracious is the Holy Ghost, in not only holding forth to the people of Jesus the blessedness and certainty of the promises, but opening to our view multitudes, who are now in glory, in the full enjoyment of them. My soul, dost thou ask how they lived, when upon earth, in the full prospect, before that they were called upon to enter heaven for the full participation of them? Hear what the blessed Spirit saith concerning it in this sweet scripture. "It was through faith and patience." Now observe how these blessed principles manifested themselves. Another part of scripture explains—"they all died in faith, not having received the promises; but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them." Now this is the whole sum and substance of the believer's life: /he sees them afar off, /as Abraham did the day of Christ—as David, who had the same enjoyment in a believing view, with which his whole soul was satisfied: for he saith, "it was all his salvation, and all his desire; "a covenant which he rested upon, "as ordered in all things, and sure." *
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*Pause, my soul, over this, and ask within, are your views thus firmly founded? What, though the day of Christ's second coming be far off, or nigh, doth thy faith realize the blessed things belonging to it as certain, and as sure as God is truth. Pause, and see that such is thy faith—then go on. The faithful, who row inherit the promises, end which the Holy Ghost bids thee to follow, not only saw with the eye of faith, the things of Jesus afar off, but "were persuaded of them;" that is, were as perfectly satisfied of their existence and reality, as if they were already in actual possession. *
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*Pause here again, and say, is this thy faith? Are you perfectly persuaded "that God was, in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them?" Are you convinced that it is God's design, God's plan, God's grace, God's love, God's mercy, in all that concerns Jesus? Art thou convinced that God's glory is concerned in the glory of Jesus, and that every poor sinner gives glory to God in believing the record that God hath given of bis Son? Dost thou, my soul, believe heartily, cordially, fully, joyfully, believe these precious things; nay, that in fact, it is the only possible way a poor sinner can give glory to God, in looking, up to him as God, in giving him the credit of God, and taking his word as God concerning his dear Son Jesus Christ? Dost thou, my soul, set thy seal to these things? Then art thou "persuaded of the truths of God, "as the patriarchs were "who saw them afar off." *
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*Once more—the faithful, whom the Holy Ghost calls upon thee to follow, embraced them also, as well as were persuaded of them. They clasped, /by faith, /Jesus in their arms, as really and as truly as Simeon did in /substance. /Their love to Jesus, and their interest /in /Jesus, their acquaintance by faith with Jesus, were matters of certainty, reality, delight; and their whole souls were, day by day, so familiarized in the unceasing meditation, that they walked by faith with Jesus while here below, as now, by sight, they are with him above in glory. Pause, my soul! Is this thy faith? Then, surely, Jesus is precious, and thou art indeed "the follower of them-who now, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." And ere long, like them, thou shalt see him whom thy soul loveth, and dwell with him for ever!*
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*Robert Hawker (1753-1827) *
