Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland
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egotten Son, that whosoever believeth <strong>in</strong> him<br />
should not perish, but have everlast<strong>in</strong>g life." John<br />
3:16.<br />
God does <strong>the</strong> lov<strong>in</strong>g; God does <strong>the</strong> giv<strong>in</strong>g; we<br />
do <strong>the</strong> believ<strong>in</strong>g. (Remember: believ<strong>in</strong>g and hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
faith is <strong>the</strong> same word <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>al language.)<br />
Our faith (believ<strong>in</strong>g) is dependent on His lov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and giv<strong>in</strong>g. Such faith could not even exist if <strong>the</strong>re<br />
were no revelation of God's love first; everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
depends on that lov<strong>in</strong>g and giv<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> part of<br />
God. Christ's def<strong>in</strong>ition of faith here is seen to be<br />
our heart appreciation of God's lov<strong>in</strong>g us and His<br />
giv<strong>in</strong>g of His Son for us. Such faith cannot be<br />
egocentric <strong>in</strong> nature.<br />
Paul's powerful idea of faith is built on <strong>the</strong><br />
foundation of Jesus' def<strong>in</strong>ition: "With <strong>the</strong> heart<br />
man believeth unto righteousness." Romans 10:10.<br />
The revelation of God's love must come first, for<br />
no man can believe without it. Then "faith ...<br />
worketh by love." Galatians 5:6. Because faith is<br />
not a superficial, sentimental emotion, it grips<br />
human hearts at its deepest level of affection and<br />
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