Christ's Transcendent Loveliness!

The prophet Isaiah, speaking of graceless men as disliking, not desiring, not loving Jesus; brings them in as saying, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him!" (Isaiah 53:2)

 

What! No loveliness in Him who is "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person!" Yes, there is, but they had no eyes to see it! It is as if a blind man would say that the sun is dark, because he has no eyes to behold its light. How could they look upon Him with an eye of love; when they did not discern Him with an eye of faith?

But a holy soul, whose eyes are divinely opened, so sees the superlative goodness, beauty, and excellence in Jesus that all other things, which are good with an inferior goodness, seem to him as dross and rubbish! "But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Jesus. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things! I consider them rubbish," things cast to dogs, or dog's food, "that I may gain Christ!" (Philippians 3:7-8) The holy man, whose mind is savingly enlightened, can say: I see that goodness in the Savior, which far surpasses all the goodness of the creature!

Though the stars can be seen in the night; yet when the sun arises, they all disappear. Just so, in my night of ignorance, when my mind was blind, my heart hard, and my affections frozen; I was bewitched with the glare of riches, of honors, and of worldly pleasures. But then the Sun of righteousness with His radiant rays shined into my soul, and with His warming influences thawed my benumbed and frozen heart. And then the glory of all those earthly vanities which once dazzled my eyes, vanished and withered away! When I once got a view of Christ's transcendent loveliness; then in comparison to Him, I saw an emptiness and vanity, in all the creature's fullness; shame, in all the world's nobility; dishonor, in all the world's glory; poverty, in all the world's richest; darkness, in the world's most resplendent luster; folly, in the world's highest wisdom; deformity, in the world's loveliest beauty!

Yes, the soul whose love is fixed upon Jesus, adores His superlative goodness, beauty, and excellence!

[Thomas Doolittle]

Song of Soloman 5:16 ... His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Establishment!

Establishment consists in holding fast our profession. We profess to believe the gospel all that it says regarding ourselves, our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, our foes, our trials. We profess to obey all that it requires, in the strength that it promises.

Establishment includes, maintaining our character as the disciples of Christ, the holy ones, the children of God who imitate their Father who is in Heaven,

the friends of God and the light of the world.

Establishment involves perseverance in the paths of holiness, pressing toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, abounding in the work of the Lord.

Establishment supposes the enjoyment of our privileges, such as peace with God,

realizing the favor of God, rejoicing in God, walking in sweet fellowship with God,

receiving grace from God and even glorying in tribulation.

Establishment is to include abiding in Christ as the branch in the vine; living with Christ as the wife with her husband; confiding in Christ as one in the friend which is as his own soul; deriving all from Christ as the member from union to the head.

Establishment is to stand, to keep our post, fulfill our duties, adorn our profession,

hold fast our principles, persevere in our work, and be steadfast in the Savior's cause.

Establishment is only by faith. By faith we live. By faith we walk. By faith we overcome. By faith we receive the salvation of our souls.

[James Smith]

2 Corinthians 1:24 ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ... (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ❤

Change of Thinking!!

In the Interlinear Greek New Testament, Mark 11:22 is properly translated "...Have faith from God," not "...Have faith in God." Similar translations have Jesus calling us to "...have the faith of God." But what does that even look like?

As New Covenant believers, this means resting in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. (Galatians 2:20) It's embracing what God believes to be true about each one of us. It's seeing things from the Lord's perspective and agreeing with Him about His Kingdom. This requires a change of outlook, and this is what "true repentance" is all about!

The Greek word for "repentance" (metanoia) means "a change of thinking." It's not about "re-penance!" (penance on steroids) It's not about self-abasement or proving our devotion to God by our religious performance! "Metanoia" is all about letting Holy Spirit change our way of thinking to embrace all Father has given us in Jesus and acting accordingly.

We are sons and daughters; we're the bride of Christ! It's time to live like it and live loved!!

[Stephen S.J. Hill]

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Acts 2:38 ...  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ❤

When in Need ...

When you are in need, whether the need is emotional, psychological, or even financial, God wants you to come to Him. Because of your FAITH and TRUST in Jesus Christ you have immediate access to Him through PRAYER. God is compassionate AND already knows what you need, He just wants you to be humble enough to ask. It’s simple, although not always easy to ask for help, but as the saying goes “you don’t get 100% of what you don’t ask for.”  God loves you and wants a true and meaningful relationship with you always and FOREVER.

Lord, thank you for being available always. You know our needs and we know You can help when nobody else can. We ask you to look into our heart, grant us mercy and grace, and show us the way that YOU would have us go in times of need. Let Your will be done always in all ways. In Jesus’ Holy name we pray. Amen!

If you seek answers, you won't find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you.

[Mark Batterson]

Hebrews 4:16 ... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ❤

Are You Transformed?

Any faith in Christ that does not change your life 

is the faith of devils.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

John 5:39 ...  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John 3:7 ...  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ❤

Faith and Trust

Persistence. That is one of the keys of both life and of being a true believer. Jesus shared with you ALL of God’s promises and every single one will absolutely come true, but they won’t all come true today. You need to have FAITH and TRUST and wait for His timing. You need to stand tall and continue working daily for His glory, telling people the Good News, and living according to His commandments. When the time is right, God will shower you with blessings including eternal life but remember you reap what you sow. 

Lord, thank you for grace, understanding, mercy, hope, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Thank you for keeping all of Your promises according to Your timing. Help us stand strong in our faith. Help us be better and do better each day. Let Your will always be done. In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen. 

Ultimately you are doing what you do for one of two reasons: to serve oneself or to serve God. There is enough time in every day to do God's work in God's way. 

 

[Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom]

2 Chronicles 15:7 ... Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Proverbs 3:5 ... Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Matthew 21:21 ... Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. ❤

"Seven Signs"

Seven signs that God is testing your faith....

1. a broken heart

2. feelings of hopelessness

3. family conflicts or heavy burdens

4. loneliness or feeling ignored

5. financial difficulties

6. working hard but not seeing results.

Remain firm in faith. God has not abandoned you. He is preparing you for something much greater. Trust Him.  Amen.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ... Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 1:7 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Feed Your Faith!!

Faith not Fear!!

 

2 Timothy 1:7 ... For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 ... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Isaiah 41:10 ... Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ❤

Overcome!!

 An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain.

Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us the strength to overcome them!

[message from the Internet]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

1 John 5:4 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ... Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.❤

Seeking Faith...

Some of you seek for faith much in the same way as you would dig for a well. You turn the eye inward upon yourself and search amidst the depths of your polluted heart to find if faith is there; you search amid all your feelings at sermons and sacraments to see if faith is there; and still, you find nothing but sin and disappointment.

Look full in the face of Jesus.

Drink in His Word.

Faith comes by hearing the voice of Jesus. 

[Robert Murray McCheyne]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Jeremiah 29:13 ... And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Romans 10:17 ... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mark 11:22 ... And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ❤

False Faith!

There is a false faith in which multitudes are confidently resting. There is a false faith by which multitudes are deceived and will perish forever in Hell. 

A false faith may be greatly enlightened and knowledgeable in gospel truth. (Hebrews 6:4) 

A false faith excites the affections. (Stony Ground Hearers)

A false faith reforms the outward life. (The Pharisees)

A false faith may speak very well of Christ. (The Jews) 

A false faith confesses sin. (Saul) 

A false faith may humble itself in sackcloth and ashes. (Ahab) 

A false faith may repent. (Esau - Judas) 

A false faith may diligently perform religious works. (The Pharisees) 

A false faith may be very charitable and generous. (Ananias) 

A false faith may tremble at the Word of God. (Felix) 

A false faith may experience much in religion. (Hebrews 6:1-4) 

A false faith may enjoy great religious privileges. (Lot's wife) 

A false faith may preach, perform miracles, and cast out demons. (Matthew 7:23) 

A false faith may attain high office in the church. (Diotrephes) 

A false faith may walk with great preachers. (Demas was Paul's companion) 

A false faith may be peaceful and carnally secure. (The Five Foolish Virgins) 

A false faith may even persevere and hold out until the day of judgment (Matthew 7:22-23). 

If you have the faith of God's elect, it will bear examination. If you do not, if you are resting in a false faith, you need to be awakened so that you may flee to Christ in true faith.

[Don Fortner]

Isaiah 55:7 ...  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Joel 2:13  ... And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Acts 3:19 ... Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. ❤

"Even If"

Do not fear. Have faith!!

Isaiah 41:10 ... Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 46:1 ... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Hebrews 13:16 ...  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. ❤

The Brief Gospel ...

The briefest of the "words of Jesus," but one of the most comforting. They contain the essence and epitome of all saving truth. Reader, is Satan assailing you with tormenting fears? Is the thought of your sins the guilty past coming up in terrible memorial before you, almost tempting you to give way to hopeless despondency? Fear not! A gentle voice whispers in your ear "Only believe. Your sins are great, but My grace and merits are greater. 'Only believe' that I died for you that I am living for you and pleading for you, and that 'the faithful saying' is as 'faithful' as ever, and as 'worthy of all acceptance' as ever." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Are you a backslider? Did you once run well? Has your own guilty apostasy alienated and estranged you from that face, which was once all love, and that service which was once all delight? Are you breathing in broken-hearted sorrow over the holy memories of a close walk with God "Oh that it was with me as in months past, when the candle of the Lord did shine?" "Only believe." Take this your mournful soliloquy and convert it into a prayer. "Only believe" the word of Him whose ways are not as man's ways "Return O backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding." (Jeremiah 3:22)

Are you beaten down with some heavy trial? Have your fondest schemes been blown upon your fairest blossoms been withered in the bud? has wave after wave been rolling upon you? has the Lord forgotten to be gracious? Hear the "word of Jesus" resounding amid the thickest midnight of gloom penetrating even through the vaults of the dead "Believe, only believe." There is an infinite reason for the trial a lurking thorn that required removal, a gracious lesson that required teaching. The dreadful severing blow was dealt in love. God will be glorified in it, and your own soul made the better for it. Patiently wait until the light of immortality be reflected on a receding world. Here you must take His dealings on trust. 

The word of Jesus to you now is, "Only believe." The word of Jesus in eternity (every inner meaning and undeveloped purpose being unfolded), "Didn't I tell you that you will see God's glory if you believe?" Are you fearful and agitated in the prospect of death? Through fear of the last enemy, have you been all your lifetime subject to bondage? "Only believe." "As your day is, so shall your strength be." Dying grace will be given when a dying hour comes. In the dark river a sustaining arm will be underneath you, deeper than the deepest and darkest wave. Before you know it, the darkness will be past, the true Light shining the whisper of faith in the nether valley. 

"Believe! Believe!" will be exchanged for angel-voices exclaiming, as you enter the portals of glory, "No longer through a glass darkly, but now face to face!" Yes! Jesus Himself had no higher remedy for sin, for sorrow, and for suffering, than those two words convey. At the utmost extremity of His own distress, and of His disciples' wretchedness, He could only say "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me." Believe, only believe. 

[Author Unknown]

Mark 5:36 ... As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Mark 9:24 ...  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. ❤

Not Alone!!

If you stood alone, it would be presumption to hope. Because you are not alone, it is offence to tremble.

[Henry Law]

Romans 5:2 ... By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 6:14 ... Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

2 Corinthians 1:24 ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ❤

Precious Faith ~

Worldly men dote upon riches and prestige, and power, and pleasures, and possessions but however highly they may be prized, the Christian possesses something infinitely more valuable. He has "precious faith" in Christ, which secures him a saving interest in the "favor of God which is life," and in his "loving-kindness which is better than life." 

Earthly honors, dignities, grandeur, estates, etc. are but fleeting vanities, and unsatisfying in their nature. Man will soon be taken from them forever or they may elude his grasp before his death. But that which "precious faith" gives to the Christian, shall exist forever. That faith looks not at the things which are seen, which are temporal but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal.  

The statesman may glory in his eloquence, as the instrument of his success; the legislator may glory in his wise regulations, to promote the benefit of his country; the warrior may glory in his sword, his skill and valor, as the source of his mighty achievements; the sensualist may glory in his carnal pleasures and pursuits, as the only source of his enjoyment; the rich man may glory in his gold, his vast domain, his equipage of splendor, as the very fountain of his bliss but, says the Christian, I will glory in my faith, for that faith is precious. It is more precious than rubies!

 [William Nicholson]

2 Corinthians 4:18 ... While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Ephesians 1:13 ... In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Hebrews 12:2 ... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ❤

"The Savior!"

Faith is the acknowledgment of the entire absence of all goodness in us and the recognition of the cross as the substitute for all the lack on our part. Faith saves, because it owns the complete salvation of another and not because it contributes anything to that salvation. 

Faith is not our Savior. It was not faith that was born at Bethlehem and died on Golgotha for us. It was not faith that loved us and gave itself for us; that bore our sins in its own body on the tree; that died and rose again for our sins. Faith is one thing the Savior is another. 

Faith is one thing and the cross is another. Let us not confound them, nor ascribe to a poor, imperfect act of man that which belongs exclusively to the Son of the Living God. 

[Horatius Bonar]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Romans 5:10 ...  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Ephesians 2:16 ... And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Galatians 2:20 ...  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ❤

The Old Man ...

Why does God not remove the old sinful nature out of the Christian? 

SIN REMAINING IN THE BELIEVER: drives him humbly to confess his own nothingness, excludes all boasting from his tongue, compels him to trust in his God, takes away from him his propensity to trust in himself, leads him to value the precious blood which cleanses him, to prize the Holy Spirit who sanctifies him, to rejoice in the faithfulness, and patience, of God who still continues to be gracious to him. And oh! what songs will the man of God sing when he gets to heaven! How much sweeter will be the music, because of the conflict! How much more glorious the victory, because of the warfare! 

If I could be totally delivered from sin, root and branch, I certainly would; but yet am I conscious that no Christian would glorify God so much in heaven as he now does, if there were not sinned to be contended with. A creature that could not sin, could scarcely show forth much of the praise of God by its holiness; but that the creature can sin, nay, that there is a strong drawing towards sin, and yet the divine grace keeps a man from it, and sanctifies him even to perfection, why this will make the song come swelling up of "Hallelujah! hallelujah! hallelujah!" 

If no adversaries had been fought, then no victories could have been won; if there were no temptations for us to struggle with, then there would have been no elbowroom for our faith, and no power for the display of the bare arm of God. Many believers would have grown too proud to be borne with, if some infirmity had not plucked the plume from their helmets and made them mourn with brokenness of heart before God. 

God can bring good out of evil by his overruling grace, while on the other hand our good works have often been the greatest curse we have ever had! Good works have puffed us up and so have led us into pride; while our sins, though pulling us down, have, through almighty grace, led us to work for eternity. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Galatians 3:11 ...  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ... Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ❤

Believe Through Faith!!

No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, no financial gifts, and no church positions. The man on the cross hanging next to Jesus couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer either. 

What did he do? He just BELIEVED through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

[message from the Internet]

Luke 23:42-43 ...  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Romans 10:9-10 ...  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ❤

How to Conquer The World!

Perhaps the world the smiling world or the frowning world; the tempting world or the persecuting world lies as a heavy stone or burden upon your heart, as it does upon the hearts of thousands in these days. Witness their attempting anything to get the favors, honors and riches of this world! 

Ah! how many have turned their backs upon God, and Christ and truth to gain the world! How will you get this burden off? Only by the exercise of faith. Many men may hear many sermons often and yet remain worldly. They may pray like angels and yet live as if there were no Heaven nor Hell. They will talk much of Heaven and yet those who are spiritual and wise, smell their breath to stink strongly of earth. 

All their endeavors can never cure them of this soul-killing disease until faith breaks forth in its glorious actings. A man may hear sermons and pray many years and yet remain as carnal, base and worldly as ever! There is no way under Heaven to remove this burden but by the exercise of faith!

Faith presents the world to the soul under all those notions which the Scripture holds forth the world unto us by. The Scripture holds forth the world as an impotent thing, as a mixed thing, as a mutable thing, as a momentary thing. Now faith comes and sets this home with power upon the soul, and this takes the soul off from the world. 

Faith causes the soul to converse with those more glorious, soul-satisfying, soul- delighting and soul-contenting objects! Now when faith is busied and exercised about soul-ennobling, soul-greatening, soul-raising and soul-cheering objects, a Christian tramples the world under his feet! 

In Hebrews 11, it was the exercise of faith and hope upon noble and glorious objects, which carried them above the world above the smiling world, and above the frowning world, above the tempting world, and above the persecuting world! 

Faith conquers the world, by assuring the soul of enjoying of better things. Men may talk much of Heaven, and of Christ and religion. But give me a man who really and clearly lives under the power of divine faith, and I cannot see how such a one can be carried out in an inordinate love to these poor transitory worldly things. 

[Thomas Brooks]

1 John 5:4-5 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? ❤

Establishment By Faith

Establishment consists in holding fast our profession. We profess to believe the gospel all that it says regarding ourselves, our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, our foes, our trials. We profess to obey all that it requires, in the strength that it promises. Establishment includes, maintaining our character as the disciples of Christ, the holy ones, the children of God who imitate their Father who is in Heaven, the friends of God and the light of the world. 

Establishment involves perseverance in the paths of holiness, pressing toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, abounding in the work of the Lord. 

 

Establishment supposes the enjoyment of our privileges, such as peace with God, realizing the favor of God, rejoicing in God, walking in sweet fellowship with God, receiving grace from God, and even glorying in tribulation. 

Establishment is to include abiding in Christ as the branch in the vine; living with Christ as the wife with her husband; confiding in Christ as one in the friend which is as his own soul; deriving all from Christ as the member from union to the head. 

Establishment is to stand, to keep our post, fulfill our duties, adorn our profession, hold fast our principles, persevere in our work, and be steadfast in the Savior's cause. Establishment is only by faith. 

By faith we live. By faith we walk. By faith we overcome. By faith we receive the salvation of our souls. 

[J. C. Ryle] 

 ✞ ✞ ✞

2 Corinthians 1:24 ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ... (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Ephesians 2:8 ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ❤