I think we agree that there is a type of faith that saves and a type that doesn't save. Discernment is needed to know if we have the saving type of faith.

In fact, the Scriptures teach that there is a strong faith that can move mountains but leaves us as nothing.

1Corinthians 13:2 "...though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing"

I think we agree that saving faith puts us into a vital relationship with Christ. Our faith must be in the True Christ because there are false Christs. False Christs are figments of men's wishes and imaginations. The True Christ who warned that a king shall say: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

"...there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect". (Matthew 24:24)

If we know the True, saving Christ, we know that He suffered. Those who are Christ-like will also suffer.

Every one use some form of law or standard by which he judges others.

There is a "law of faith" - Rom 3:27

Those of who are so assured that you have saving faith, have you moved any mountains? (Matthew 21:21). I haven't but, if your faith isn't strong enough to move a heap of rock and dirt that you can see, then how can be sure that your faith is strong enough to translate you into an eternal place, in the presence of Almighty God and mighty angels and saints, that you cannot see.

Jesus preached to a multitude: "Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God". Which of you will say that seeking God should not be preached and exhorted? If you are such a one, do you make void this Word of God?

Examine yourself and see whether you have the fruits of saving faith.

[URL=http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1021081230111]]] Regeneration vs Decisionism[/URL]

Much of evangelicalism has taught millions that assured salvation is as easy as "asking Jesus to come into your heart".

Efforts to show forth obedience to the Word as an attribute of genuine, saving faith in the Word of God are scorned as fleshly legalism.

Piety is scorned. Holiness is ignored.

Leaving a needy infant and a promiscious teen are deemed non-consequential in a national election because the candidate passes the litmus test of being anti-abortion and professedly pro-life.

Who mourns their miscarriages? How many are truly engaged in the spiritual nourishment of youth? Why such carnal youth programs in our churches? Why such a scarcity of family prayer? Why so much pornography use among church goers? Why such widespread ignorance of the bible?

During the reigns of four kings of Judah, the prophet Isaiah warned and admonished a God-professing people.

From Isaiah chapter 1: “The LORD hath spoken...I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me….”

webwatch wrote:
The Republican Party is running sadly close to being analagous to the situation in Ezekiel 19:14 when the weak vine of captive Israel "had no strong ro to be a sceptre to rule". This is a lamentation.

Pr 28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by A MAN of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

The prolongation of our state is at risk.

God said: (Eze 22:30) "And I sought for A MAN among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none".

Neither I nor anyone else may be the MAN who will stand in the gap and intercede persistently to keep our indebted land from becoming slaves to the lenders.

"Be strong and show yourself a man"

Sarah Palin is not naturally endowed to fulfill King David's charge.

Margaret Thatcher in the UK was called the "iron lady" and Sarah Palin has compared herself to "pit bull". Use of this imagery implies an acknowledgement that strength is needed for leadership. There are heavy loads of responsibility to carry in national office. Wisdom and strength are needed to carry the load.

Women are called the "weaker vessel" in 1 Peter 3. This implies that men themselves are naturally weak.

May Almighty God bless us with gracious leaders of "understanding and knowledge" (Proverbs 28:2). We need rulers who can be strong but also just, god-fearing (2 Samuel 23:3), and not oppressive.

Unthankfulness is a sin in which surely each of us has had a role.

Our Holy, All-Seeing God does care about waste and needless destruction of the earth.

“…when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations” – Romans 1:21

“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great WASTER”. – Proverbs 18:9

In The Gap wrote:
There's also been a huge emphasis on systematic theology that has come at the expense of biblical theology.