Ques. by U. A. N.
A.-What is the difference between "faith" and "the faith"?
Ans. "The faith" in such scriptures as Acts 6:7; Rom. 14;1; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 1:23; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:23; 2:5; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:7; Titus 1:1,13; Jude 3,20, means the truth that we are to receive and hold.
B.-1 Cor. 12:9. "Faith" is the personal exercise of our mind in receiving, holding and obeying the truth. (e. g., 1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:3.)
Cor. 12:9. "Faith" in this verse is not that of every believer; it is a gift to be exercised is some special way.
C.-Why does Matt. 8, leave out that the Centurion sent elders to Jesus, while Luke 7, tells us of them?
Ans. Matthew wrote by the Spirit to show the Jews how far behind in faith they were to this Gentile, so to humble them before the Lord; while Luke, by the same Spirit, wrote to the Gentiles, and there honored the Jews by whom salvation came. (John 4:22.) This should tend to keep the Gentiles humble also.
D.-Explain 1 John 5:1, 2. The divine nature is love. If any one believes that Jesus is the Christ, he is born of God and so he has this nature, and loves God, and also those begotten of God. Obedience is another trait of the divine nature. The proof that we love the children of Go 1 is, that we love God and keep His commandments, for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous.
E.-Luke 10:33. Why is the Lord pictured here by a Samaritan?
The Jews did not want any dealings with Samaritans and called the Lord a Samaritan, (John 8:48), reviling Him.
They did not want anything to do with a God of grace either, nor does any natural man. So it reminds us that "the carnal mind is enmity against God." (Rom. 8:7.) Yet God has come down in the person of His Son to poor, lost, rebellious man, and all unasked, has brought salvation. to him, asking the sinner to receive the gift of love that cost God so much. (Titus 2:11.)
“'Twas love unbounded led Thee thus
To give Thy well-beloved for us.”