Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:… These are the properties of faith which justifies. 1. It is persevering; a shield against all the fiery darts of the devil. It cannot be lost or overcome of any creature, because it is built on the Rock, Christ. 2. It is lively, working by love. It makes that we shall neither be idle nor unprofitable. It is no dead thing which will stand us in stead. There are, indeed, many kinds of these dead faiths; some are blind presumptions, which are merely counterfeit; some are historical persuasions, touching the truth of the articles of religion, without any particular confidence; some are common illuminations in the points of the gospel with misgrounded persuasions, like that of Haman, "What shall be done to the man whom the king will honour?" He no sooner heard it was in the heart of the king to honour a man, but who should the person be except himself? 3. Saving faith is sincere and sound. 4. It is a precious faith; within itself a pearl, rare, and of greatest worth, the least grain better than a kingdom. (Paul Bayne.) Parallel Verses KJV: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:WEB: for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, |
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