BI100 – Module 4.1 Standards of Christian Faith Becker Professional Theology Academy BI100 – Module 4.1 Standards of Christian Faith By Kathy L McFarland Course Creator

Faith is the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is the promises of God that are unseen (Hebrews 11:13) The Chosen People of God saw the promises of God far off, but yet had faith that the Promised Land would come to them because He persuaded them. They embraced their status of living in a foreign land as strangers with faith that one day they would be granted to live in their Promised Land given by God. (Hebrews 11:13-16) Christian faith displays this same standard. Believers are persuaded of the promises given by the LORD God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit teaches Christians about these promises, and their faith embraces those promises through confession of salvation and confidence that they will dwell eternally in the Kingdom of God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3) God’s mercy allows you to be a living sacrifice, giving yourself fully and yielding to His control The reasonable service of a believer that gives control fully to God must become holy Reasonable service means a reward or notice will not be given by God for holiness for doing His will Reasonable service expectations of God require believers to seek His will deeply and live as He wants It is God that deals to each man a measure of faith! It is unworthy for a holy believer of God to take credit for holiness that comes from God alone

There are six areas measured by the LORD God to determine how much faith a person is to receive (Romans 12:1-3) A measure of their giving themselves to the LORD God as a living sacrifice A measure of how holy a believer develops A measure of how acceptable a believer is to the LORD God A measure of how non-conforming to this world a believer exists A measure of how much a believer transforms through renewal of mind A measure to be able to prove what is good, acceptable, perfect will of the LORD God

The first is the measure of living sacrifice There are actually just three measurements that the LORD God considers “reasonable service” The first is the measure of living sacrifice The second is the amount of holiness that is achieved by the believer The third is the degree to which the believer is acceptable by the LORD God There are no rewards for achievement given by the LORD God or the Lord Jesus Christ for these three measures The LORD God considers reasonable service to be worship of Him by the believer

Be non-conforming to this world There are three measurements for faith that DO NOT fall under the “reasonable service” standard: (Romans 12:1-3) Be non-conforming to this world Be able to transform yourself by the renewing of your mind Be able to prove what is the good, acceptable, perfect will of God

Spiritual Growth Standards The six measurements that the LORD God uses to determine the amount of faith given to a person directly develops a Christian’s standards for spiritual growth. When a person is given higher-level faith, then confidence can be assured the believer has the adequate amount of spirituality to handle the faith award or increase perfectly. This important concept contrasts those who receive just a little faith. It should be the goal of the church, Christian leaders, Pastors, Counselors, Teachers, Chaplains, Parents, and Mentors to help develop the six-steps of spiritual standards to prepare believers to receive the granting of more faith from the LORD God. Spiritual Growth Standards

When you are a “living sacrifice”, your spirituality is measured, Being a “living sacrifice IS your spirituality. It is the amount of yourself that is given to the LORD God by choice. When you are a “living sacrifice”, your spirituality is measured, and faith given to you by the LORD God What you do as a “living sacrifice” is spiritual works directed by the LORD God Being a “living sacrifice” IS NOT your faith. Being a “living sacrifice” IS NOT your works.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) It is the human sense of hearing that faith is delivered by the LORD God A believer must hear the WORD OF GOD to develop the six standards of spiritual growth. Scripture is the WORD OF GOD. (John 1:1-3) If a unbeliever is unable to hear and understand God’s Word, then that is a person that does not have faith given by the LORD God.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians3:22–29) The Chosen people of the LORD God were under His Law. Their relationship with the LORD God was based upon obedience to His rule, and faith to them were just glimpses of the Promised Land to come. Followers of Jesus Christ were given the promise of faith through Jesus Christ so they could believe. The law guided early people of God towards the unfolding coming of Christ, preparing the ground for faith in Him. The Chosen people of God who lived by His laws are the Jews whose land is Israel The requirement of faith in Christ did not manifest within the Jews because their LORD God dwelt amongst them The Jews continually turned their back on the LORD God and disobeyed His laws. He eventually left their presence and left them alone to their own wicked ways.

It’s the Truth of God... It’s the Truth of God... (Galatians 3:33-39) Jews without Christ have NO real relationship with the LORD God presently Christians are adopted into the family of the LORD God The Jews continue to be the LORD God’s chosen people Jews are unable to hear the LORD God because they are spiritually deaf right now Christians receive the same promises as the Jews Some Jews continue to follow the law of God and they pray often The LORD God’s law is schoolmaster to Jews, that brings people to Christ by justification of faith Jews and Christians are considered siblings by the LORD God

New Relationship with the LORD God through Jesus Christ Peace Access Hope Patience Experience Tribulation New Relationship with the LORD God through Jesus Christ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5)

Please proceed to the next lesson in Module 4.2