I am always surprised (and saddened) when believers hold such passionate views of doctrine that it causes division in the ‘body’ of Christ, even to the point of not fellowshipping with those who do not hold the same persuasion. There is a stench that has separated some believers of Calvinistic and Armenian doctrine to the exclusion of love that is the Law of Christ, whom both sides claim to be their king! John Wesley and George Whitfield held such opposite views but were finally reconciled as friends. Whitfield was once asked, “Do you believe we’ll see Wesley in heaven?” To this he replied, “Possibly not, as he’ll be so much closer than we to the throne of the Lamb!” After their reconciliation, Wesley wrote to Whitfield a beautiful poem including these words, “How sad it is we must confess, our love was greater when our light was less!” – What a challenge to so many who would divide us today!

 

A similar division is found between those who believe only a particular version of the (English) Bible is accepted by God. Some would not even have fellowship with those who have a different Bible. This also must cause a stench in the divine nostril. In every translated version one may find some inaccuracies, due to the personal persuasion of the translator(s)! For example, in the KJV of Hebrews 10:23 we read, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith …” whereas the Greek has έλπις (elpis -hope), not πιστις (pistis - faith). It is our hope we must profess, not our faith, just as Paul did before Agrippa (Acts 26:6). “Cast not away your confidence (hope) which hath great recompense of reward (Heb 10:35). Further, several words have changed their meaning over the centuries since the Authorised Version was written.

 

However, there is one verse which I believe only the KJV has translated correctly regarding faith and it has a fundamental truth most do not seem to grasp. In Galatians 2:20, the KJV reads “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.” Note that it is His faith operating in me, not my faith (belief, trust, etc.) in Him.

 

I am saved by faith and that not of myself …. Eph 2:8

The Fruit of the Spirit is …. faith … Gal 5:22.

The gift of the Spirit is … faith … 1 Cor 12:9 and all have their source in God, not in me or by my effort. It is He who gives you the faith without which it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), so stop your striving for faith and let His faith do its work in you. You cannot produce one iota of such faith! For more on this, read my on-line book, He Holds My Tomorrows.