The Law of Faith in Operation

OPERATION of the Law of Faith in action is evidenced throughout the Scriptures in a variety of ways.  The best definition of faith is simply that of, “taking God at His Word.” Sometimes faith seems reasonable–from a human standpoint, in other instances, not so much.  There is no “magic formula” or “sacred incantation” associated with the operation of faith in the lives of God’s dealings with people.

One great Biblical example of the operation of faith is associated with a great Commander of the army of Syria–Naaman who had been victorious in battle with the help of the Lord (II Kings 5:1).  Naaman was afflicted with leprosy–a terrible, disfiguring, skin disease (v. 1) for which there was no known cure at the time.

A “young girl” who is not named in the Scriptures, who had been abducted from the land of Israel, suggested to the wife of the Commander that there was a Prophet of God in Samaria who could heal Naaman of his awful disease (v. 2-4).  A letter was sent from Naaman to the King of Israel regarding the matter and the message reached the ears of Elisha, “the man of God” (v. 5-8), accompanied by expensive gifts from the King of Syria (v. 5).

Christmas: What About It?

[EDITOR:  A recent article on the "Anti-Preterist" website posted an article about Preterists and the celebration of Christmas--or the lack thereof on the past of some.  It was the contention of the author that Preterists reject the observance of Christmas and therefore are somehow "off" in their theology as a result.  The article was full of unsubstantiated claims which deserve appropriate comment.]

The observance, or non-observance of calander holidays falls into the realm of individual conscience and therefore is a matter of opinion rather than a matter of “faith.”  It falls into the same category as those issues raised by the apostle Paul in Romans 14:1-23 in the realm and context of Christian liberty.  In this passage, the apostle Paul addresses specifically those during the first century C.E. who were troubled over matters of “disputes over opinions” (14:1), related dietary issues and the observance of certain “days” (14:2, 6).