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New International Version 1984 Romans 8:22-25

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

New International Version 1984 Romans 4:1-25

Abraham Justified by Faith

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

I guess in summary it is trusting that something will come about.

Yes! Precisely I was thinking of that this morning.

However, I found this definition too.

New International Version 1984

1 John 5:2-4

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Maybe faith is an act that is brought about through a culmination of multiple things. So perhaps it would be correct in saying it is both many things and one thing.

In a poetic sense it would just be a process of humbly taking every day step by step. Like Yashua Messiah teaches do not worry about tomorrow, do not worry about what you will eat and what you will wear.

My teacher taught me to follow my heart. When regarding religious practices and the law in my circumstances he would prioritize asking me "what does your heart say" over "what does the law say". So I believe it is a direct link to God in handling every situation in a way that Paul states in Acts 24 when he was before emperor Felix: "I strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man."

Faith is the heart reaching out in every situation and asking the father and God of Israel- and all who live and breathe- what to do. That kind of faith I believe is what moves God to entrust us with the helper Yashua Messiah says that he will leave with us. So when we don't know what to pray it will search our hearts, where that faith is kept and sometimes clouded by this world, and ask for us.

I agree with Paul.

However, I am aware that there are many different beliefs in what is actually meat/food. And I believe that the apostles never considered certain things food in the first place.

If you wish to discuss this I will remain open to discuss it. 3nodding

I believe that they would have grown up with the dietary restrictions given in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. They would have never considered those as food when taking food into consideration.

Some people link when Yashua Messiah declared all foods clean to when the sheet full of unclean animals was lowered before Peter. I believe they have nothing to do with one another.

The topic of discussion was on unwashed hands. There are laws about touching certain things and becoming unclean, and the Jews took this a step forward and put further regulations on how things are handled and by who. This is why Paul states "when you are at the market, do not raise questions of conscience."

As for the sheet being lowered: Peter stated that he had never put anything unclean in his mouth, and all three times he refused to eat. People say that the Lord scolded him.saying "do not call unclean anything that I have made clean". And it is widely believed that he meant about the food. But i believe it was a distinction he was making. For he said he would raise up people for himself from the gentiles, making the gentiles clean. And he reminded Peter of this telling him not to compare the Gentiles to the animals on that sheet.

It makes sense to me that it would, but not all at once. I believe it would be culture shock to do that.

To me it makes sense that you would adopt the customs of the family you join.

Personally it can sometimes be very difficult because the rest of the world isn't on board and I feel a little alienated at times. However, it is my want to love God that drives me forward. And honestly life in general frustrates me. So Im not a good representation in my current state.

No, its alright. Its just that most people dont share the same position so there's no real common ground for a proper friendship.