Victory, our faith....

[Don19]

2 hours ago, Josheb said:

Fail. No one is worship the works of human hands. You have a tough time not arguing straw men, Don19. The work of our hands do not merit acknowledgement when those works are done in the flesh, but we were saved in order to work and we should be about the Father's work. Blessedly, each one of us has been regenerated by and indwelt with God's own Holy Spirit whereby we might live a godly spiritual life and no longer rely upon the sinful flesh. We do not stop working because we have within us the victory of faith. It is because of that victory that we work. It is because of that victory that we no longer work for ourselves, our own lusts, our own flesh. We who are attached to the vine must bear fruit and not fruit of flesh. Jesus is the only foundation upon which anyone can build and it is true we can build upon that foundation with anything but it will all be tested. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward (1 Cor. 3:14).

Chief among the works we are to perform is to love God and love others. This theme runs through the entirety of the NT. As I believe I noted earlier, we are to owe no one anything but to love them. That could certainly be a love of the flesh but that merits nothing and brings no victory of faith. That would be a work of flesh; a fleshly love is a work of the flesh. However, one of the fruit of the Spirit is love and love, correctly understood, is a thing we do. 

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;  for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,  and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,  so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."

What? Certainly working with our hands would be the work of our hands! How then can Paul tell us to do what Isaiah decried? 

John 4:34-38
"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.  Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.  Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.'  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor." 

What have you sown? What did you reap? According to these posts there are no victories stemming from the victory of faith because it would be works of flesh and they must be avoided and avoided so much that even asking about what victories might come from our victory of faith, the work of God in our life that overcomes the world is itself wrong because it will lead to judging by words instead of the Christ within us. 

Galatians 6:1-10
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.  For each one will bear his own load.  The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."

Ladies and gentlemen, the opportunity is today. 

What victories has the victory of faith God worked in your like achieved today? 

 

Living an Old Testament view of your efforts leads to death, Don. Jesus did not teach us to stop working. Neither did any of the NT writers. They are very much about working, working in the Spirit and working to bear fruit and reap, working to overcome (have victory). Sowing to the flesh reaps death but sowing (sowing is work), sowing to the Spirit reaps eternal life. We are not to lose heart in doing good and we are to do good while we have the opportunity. 

1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 8:7
"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also."

Ephesians 4:11-18
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;  but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them....."

Did you catch that part in the middle? The reason Jesus gave us leaders is so that we might be equipped for service. We have the viftory of faith and we are to be building up the body, attaining unity in faith and the knowledge of the Son, to mature into the fullness of Christ and grow up in all aspect in Jesus. The work to which Paul is referring is not works of flesh or that of fleshly hands done in the flesh. 

Jesus worked.

Jesus overcame.

Jesus had victory. 

One of those victories was out victory of faith.

We too are to overcome. 

What victories has the victory of faith achieved in your life today?

 

You say you have faith. Show me your works. Faith without works is dead. 

Well, Josh, we work but we don't have any victories to report and if we did our works would be only works of flesh in which we could not and should not glory. 

Yeah, that is a problem. 

Would you like to know God's solution for the already redeemed?

You citation to Paul’s words to the Thessalonians to work with their hands is a huge fail. He told them to do so so they can have what is of this world. He said this for the same reason that Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to give to God what is God’s. In this present evil world, we must work with our hands and build up treasure. But God doesn’t want our earthly treasure. You can’t serve God and mammon. It bears Caesar’s image, not God’s, and Caesar is a type of antichrist. Jesus is our treasure; we offer Him up to God. He is our tithe to God, not our money, and most emphatically not the works of our hands. 
 

Likewise, many of the references to our “works” and what we sow have to do with what I’ve been telling you: Jesus Christ is our good works. Paul said in Titus that to those who are unbelieving, nothing is pure - that they profess to know God but deny Him in works. Jesus Christ is our works, Josheb. To those who believe, all things are pure. Because Jesus Christ is our works. If you build evil works upon this foundation, you will get burned (yet still be saved). That is, judged. That’s what Paul is saying in 1 Cor 3. If you sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption. But by sowing to the Spirit, we reap reward. That reward is intimacy with God in this life. God is our reward - Gen 15:1. Jesus said He will give to us according to our works. He said, I have not found thy works perfect before God, to Sardis. Our works should be perfect because we are as He is in this world. 
 

How do we have perfect works? Just believe. Just rest in Him. He has given us rest. The one who was working on the Sabbath day was to be put to death. So likewise we mortify the deeds of this flesh, that we may live unto God.

Edited January 29, 2021 by Don19

[Your closest friendnt]

2 hours ago, Not me said:

If the peace of Christ in your heart is giving you pause about my writings, go with that peace, for in that is your obedience... 

Be blessed in that obedience, Not me

Let's inquiry in my posting, I am trying to reach out to you.

We have a lot of instructions to exercise our faith without tempting Jesus Christ. And without challenging him.

Moses challenged God in the dessert, when he failed to follow his instructions. 

To speak to the rock and asked the rock to give his water.

But Moses took his staff and he did it his way.

(We take the bible and do it our way)

We have to be careful to see if we find our selves in same-like situations. 

Reading scriptures and take up on our selves to command things into being.

Without consulting the Holy Spirit, without knowing the will of God in every unique and particular situation. 

The will of God for everyone and in every situation is hidden in Jesus Christ. 

We may do what we think we should do, but we have to look to Jesus Christ what he has to say, Jesus Christ can be found outside the scriptures, I did not say anything against the scriptures, only that Jesus Christ is actively involved in our situations and he is waching over us and we must learn to discern when he gets involved in redirecting our path towards his propose and will and we have to learn to follow him when he does get involved. 

Hope you can look into that.

One example, the whole church was praying that one of their daughters gets the job.

One time a stranger came to their church for the first time, and after the prayer finished he had the guts to speak up and say that the Lord will is not to take the job, but to look for another one.

And he has appointed him to look in this business hiring tactics. 

This man was called nusty names, even a jinx for their faith and everyone gave him a cold shoulder.

But it seems that he was  expecting this kind of response and remain unfazed, and stand by his message to them.

Only he plea with them to seek the Lord.

Their response they read scriptures to him.

The daughter got the job and everyone as expected thank and praise God and pointed their fingers at him, for he came back to the church.

That same Sunday, a private detective came to their church investigating complaints of sexual abuse against the manager who hired the daughter, who said that the behavior of the manager was provocative but Jesus Christ is going to protect her.

Her mother said to her, why you do not say anything? 

? Not to make you worry. 

The Lord opens and closes doors, we need to ask him. 

Edited January 29, 2021 by Your closest friendnt

[Not me]

3 minutes ago, Your closest friendnt said:

Let's inquiry in my posting, I am trying to reach out to you.

We have a lot of instructions to exercise our faith without tempting Jesus Christ. And without challenging him.

Moses challenged God in the dessert, when he failed to follow his instructions. 

To speak to the rock and asked the rock to give his water.

But he did it his way.

We have to be careful to see if we find our selves in game-like situations. 

Reading scriptures and take up on our selves to command things into being.

Without consulting the Holy Spirit, without knowing the will of God in every unique and particular situation. 

The will of God for everyone and in every situation is hidden in Jesus Christ. 

We may do what we think we should do, but we have to look to Jesus Christ what he has to say, Jesus Christ can be found outside the scriptures, I did not say anything against the scriptures, only that Jesus Christ is actively involved in our situations and has a will for everything and we have to learn to follow him. 

Hope you can look into that.

One example, the whole church was praying that one of their daughters get the job.

One time a stranger came to their church for the first time, and after the prayer finished he had the guts to speak up and say that the Lord will is not to take the job because of what he is promised. 

And he has appointed him to look in this business at hand, if they do not do it. 

This man was called nusty names, even a jinx for their faith and everyone gave him a cold shoulder.

But it seems to expect their behavior and remain unfazed. 

Only he plea with them to seek the Lord.

Their response they read scriptures to him.

The daughter got the job and everyone as expected thank and praise God and pointed their fingers at him, for he came back to the church.

That same Sunday, a private detective came to their church investigating complaints of sexual abuse against the manager who hired the daughter, who said that the behavior of the manager was provocative but Jesus Christ is going to protect her.

Her mother said to her, why you do not say anything? 

? Not to make you worry. 

The Lord opens and closes doors, we need to ask him. 

Hello, the inquiry is more than welcome, but I’m a bit confused... I don’t see where my post could be read to be tempting or challenging Jesus?  

Only meant to point to Christ, for the degree we do, to that degree will we have victory in our lives..

Be blessed in that victory, Not me 

[Walter and Deborah]

Again a great post, every time I read it, reminds me of when Jesus said to Peter and His disciples, to Have faith in God, to me, a person may not know of what they might need at a given time.

I believe that this kind of faith is the power to do things pleasing in His sight, thanks

Love, Walter

Edited January 29, 2021 by Walter and Deborah
More info.

[Not me]

On 1/29/2021 at 2:13 PM, Walter and Deborah said:

Again a great post, every time I read it, reminds me of when Jesus said to Peter and His disciples, to Have faith in God, to me, a person may not know of what they might need at a given time.

I believe that this kind of faith is the power to do things pleasing in His sight, thanks

Love, Walter

Hi, I’m not sure if this was directed at the OP or a another post... So I wanted to express a thank you and if not towards the OP I’m sure who it was directed at appreciates the kindness and encouragement...

Either way I wish you all the good things in Christ as well as to all those that are His.. May we all grow up into Him in all good work and word..

A fellow servant of His, Not me  

[Walter and Deborah]

2 hours ago, Not me said:

Hi, I’m not sure if this was directed at the OP or a another post... So I wanted to express a thank you and if not towards the OP I’m sure who it was directed at appreciates the kindness and encouragement...

Either way I wish you all the good things in Christ as well as to all those that are His.. May we all grow up into Him in all good work and word..

A fellow servant of His, Not me  

Hi, from the way that I was thinking at that time, it was directed at the OP, but thanks for your encouragement of all good things in Christ, and likewise to you all.

Love, Walter and Debbie

[Sower]

On 1/29/2021 at 1:52 PM, Josheb said:

Forgive my editing but I wanted to save space. 

You forgot one victory: our recent conversation in the PM . 

Au contraire mon Ami......

 

 

After getting to know the one that needs me, I got the courage to post, as seen and testified above.
Trust me, that was a victory for me, given to me after watching/lurking [and a certain PM]:) Figured you'd pick up on that.
Unless I missed an important other one also........

 

[Don19]

On 1/29/2021 at 3:08 PM, Josheb said:

So Don, you go right ahead and post division with and contempt for me all you like. I know Whose I am so I therefore know who I am. I know what God's word says and what I posted and its intent and none of what I have posted is what you think I have posted. I love you anyway. 

Thank you. I am trying to do likewise. That is, love you in deed and not in word only. As you may have observed, I am preaching grace as my good works. Unfortunately, you have withstood my words, but I think this doctrine is greatly edifying to the body, and is certainly not division against correct doctrine; so I will continue on a bit, if you will hear me out.

On the subject of love, John wrote in his first epistle that the one who hates his brother is a murderer, and that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. And that we know we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. Now, note that you need spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear to understand John's words; he says those born of God hear, but those not born of God do not (1 John 4:6). I'm sure we all understand how the world reads those statements. It's also self-evident that many unregenerate people seem to show love for one another - e.g., Catholics, Mormons, etc.; and they do works of love, etc., in the world's eyes.

But keep in mind, that for the one who is in Christ, Jesus Christ is our good works. For those who are not in Christ, their works are the works of their flesh. They are as Cain, and the works of their flesh are rejected by God. Cain slew his brother because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Evil works slay the brethren. How? Paul wrote under inspiration, that sin taking occasion by the commandment deceived him and slew him (Rom 7:11). Paul also wrote under inspiration that the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life (2 Cor 3:6).

Do you see? The "murderers" that John is talking about are ministers of the letter. They're ministers of death. It's a metaphor. In John 8, they took up stones to try to kill Jesus in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3). The heart of stone does wage war against the heart of flesh; you will recall that in regeneration our heart of stone is replaced by a heart of flesh.

Now, preaching "good works" of the flesh is preaching law. James says that if one knows to do good, but doesn't do it, it is sin unto him. And law is the strength of sin (1 Cor 15:56). The wages of sin is death. It's a sense of condemnation, of alienation from God. Death is a metaphor to describe what happens to truly born again, eternally-secure believers who fall back into legalistic thinking and away from grace (James 5:19-20, Rom 8:13).

Therefore, we must preach Jesus Christ as our good works. We must preach grace as our good works. If we do that, we love the brethren in deed and not in word only.

But also keep in mind: John wrote his epistle that we sin not; but if any man does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin not unto death. The "sin" and "unrighteousness" here are unbelief, wrong doctrine.