“Power Belongeth Unto God”

[APAK]

Yes, it is conditional and up to us to want to develop our faith to the mind of Christ. God wants us to succeed and provides us with opportunities to develop our faith. He ‘rewards’ and works in us by ensuring our course is set true, by shaping and moving our hearts back into its best attitude or orientation that he only knows to do, that maximizes our growth in faith.

We grow our faith to the perfect state of faith by doing the will of God, by trusting in his power within us. We supplement this growth with such things as reading and applying the word of God in our lives, listening to God and with prayer.

No faith is developed or increased without the approval of the spirit of God. God ‘tests’ the worthiness of our fruits. God also wants us to succeed in exercising our faith by leading us to places, people and events where we will grow. This is the cooperation we have with God in our development of faith as we ‘work out’ our already given salvation.

Bless all.

APAK

 

[bobinfaith]

Until we leave this life, the walk of a believer is always exactly at the place where God desires him at any given time, because He is using everything in our lives at all times to progressively “conform” our manner of life here. This means all that we encounter and obtain (no more and no less) is exactly what He not only already knows of but also uses to mature us in His Son Jesus.

Hello netchaplain;

Is the opening paragraph your statement? "Until we leave this life, the walk of a believer is always exactly at the place where God desires him at any given time, because He is using everything in our lives at all times to progressively “conform” our manner of life here. This means all that we encounter and obtain (no more and no less) is exactly what He not only already knows of but also uses to mature us in His Son Jesus."

The rest of the article is Ireland's author and publisher F.G. Patterson. He was mentioned only a couple of times in my classes and is known for his commentaries. His books were from the 19th century but other than that I know very little about him.

I did my own interpretion of your opening paragraph and came up with 3 points; the "walk of a believer" is the place where God desires him at any given time. Yes, for all who have accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and desires to follow Jesus daily. This is God's desire for all His children who proclaim the Christ.

The second point in my interpretation is to be careful if we are saying, "we're exactly where God wants us to be," in this case it is not Biblical because we all fall short of His glory. We are sinners and have made many wrong choices and decisons where many of us are today. We are not where God wants us to be today because of our own free will. I'll speak for myself.

The third point of my interpretation is, although we are born again and walk with Christ, we still fall short of God's glory, we still sin and make mistakes in our lives no matter.

Lets not confuse this with falling short, in sin and mistakes made; God is quick in mercy to the "repentive believer," equates to the "walk of a believer," will be forgiven and can turn things around for good.

When I read 97% of the rest of F.G. Patterson's article, further points are highlighted;

F.G. Patterson writes "God never gives intrinsic (of its own accord—NC) power to His saints. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God (Psa 62:11). If this is important in the lives of the saints, how much more, if I may draw a distinction, is it for those who are called upon to serve in the Word."

God's power is not intrinsic to the saints, however, we are empowered to Serve in the Word, The Word being identified as the Son, Jesus, the Word being co-eternal and fully Divine with the Father.

Patterson writes about the context of the thorn, "In order for the Christian life to be “not I, but Christ,” the Father’s discipline is suited and adapted to each individual soul. This is the reason why, I doubt not, that all speculations as to what was the nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh, end in nothing. God has wisely seen fit to leave it untold.

There have been various theories in the interpretation of the thorn. When God wisely saw fit to leave it untold, He didn't answer Paul's prayer for healing three times. Courageous faith didn't bring instant physical healing, instead, God's strength was revealed in far greater grace - a stronger character, humility, and compassion for others. The thorn remained "chronic" because of the "weakness" in Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9, 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Patterson closes with '"Circumstances, friends, relatives, health and good name all are touched by Wisdom in this "holy discipline of the soul."' '"How often have we not thought what good Christians "we might have been if circumstances were different;" "'

What is the "holy discipline of the soul?" "Living by the Spirit." "Walk of a believer." Although God didn't remove Paul's physical pain, He promised to demonstrate His power in Paul. When we read the Paulines, we see Paul's demonstration of his repentence and his "walk of a believer" is the place God desired him at any given time.

netchaplain, I don't feel this commentary of F.G. Patterson was for light reading. Lets continue the discussion and whether agree or disagree, help shed more light so we can learn.

God bless you and your family.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

We grow our faith to the perfect state of faith by doing the will of God, by trusting in his power within us. We supplement this growth with such things as reading and applying the word of God in our lives, listening to God and with prayer.

No faith is developed or increased without the approval of the spirit of God. God ‘tests’ the worthiness of our fruits.

We don't Supplement our faith with such things as......
Scripture says Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.
That's it. It's the word that builds faith.
No fruit is tested to increase faith. That is totally backwards.
It's our Faith that produces fruits.
It's our obedience that produces fruits.

Doing the Will of the Father Does Not Build, create or develop Faith.
Only the Written Word of God builds, develops and creates a stronger Faith.

I simply believe what is written.
Blessings

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Key Factors Here.
God never Temps with evil. So God did not send the messenger of satin.

God said His Grace was Sufficient for him.
God said His Power was made Perfect in his weaknesses.

Paul taught us it is us who must cast out demons and it's us who must lay hands on the sick.

That's God's Sufficient Grace or His power working through our weakness.

 

[APAK]

We don't Supplement our faith with such things as......
Scripture says Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.
That's it. It's the word that builds faith.
No fruit is tested to increase faith. That is totally backwards.
It's our Faith that produces fruits.
It's our obedience that produces fruits.

Doing the Will of the Father Does Not Build, create or develop Faith.
Only the Written Word of God builds, develops and creates a stronger Faith.

I simply believe what is written.
Blessings

Based on what you said, 'No fruit is tested to increase faith. That is totally backwards. It's our Faith that produces fruits. It's our obedience that produces fruits.'

I beg to differ with you. 'Our fruit' is tested or examined all the time by God else we deny the power and presence of God and his participation in our growth in faith and our lives. He did not just say you are saved now so go out there and check back with with me when YOU think you have complete faith as Christ. He working with us ALL the way.

(Joh 15:1) The True Vine I am the true vine and my Father is the husbandman.
(Joh 15:2) Every branch in me that carries no fruit, he prunes away; and every branch that carries fruit, he cleanses it, that it may bear more fruit.

(Joh 15:4) Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, so neither can you, except you abide in me.
(Joh 15:5) I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, the same carries much fruit. For severed from me you can do nothing.
(Joh 15:6) If a man does not abide in me, he is thrown out as a branch and withers, and these are gathered and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
(Joh 15:7) If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will and it shall be done to you.
(Joh 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so shall you be my disciples.

We don't go along it alone as it is easy to self-delude ourselves we are growing and being obedient when we are not. When you say 'our faith' produces fruit, I hope you don't mean your and yours alone? And forget how you began in faith from the start. Ephesians 2:8-9 and how we abide in Christ.

(Eph 2:8) For by grace have you been saved through faith, and that faith is not of yourselves, it is a gift from God.
(Eph 2:9) It is not of works, that no one should boast. (NEV)

I think the real issue here is faith; where it actually originates and how it's grown over time and how God plays a great part in it. I just get the impression in your words that you go it alone in this growth. Just saying.

Bless you,

APAK

 

[netchaplain]

Hello netchaplain;

Is the opening paragraph your statement? "Until we leave this life, the walk of a believer is always exactly at the place where God desires him at any given time, because He is using everything in our lives at all times to progressively “conform” our manner of life here. This means all that we encounter and obtain (no more and no less) is exactly what He not only already knows of but also uses to mature us in His Son Jesus."

Yes, the prologues and any material that is not in quotation marks is my personal material, and thanks for asking.

I did my own interpretion of your opening paragraph and came up with 3 points; the "walk of a believer" is the place where God desires him at any given time.

The believer's progression in maturity never ceases, thus it's in steps, and whatever step we are at is where He has us--at the time, which means we will always be where He wants us in our steps, which brings us to maturity in Christ.

The second point in my interpretation is to be careful if we are saying, "we're exactly where God wants us to be,"

Since He is in control of our growth, there is no point in our steps that we are not suppose to be because each step includes His direction and work toward a mature walk.

We are sinners and have made many wrong choices and decisons where many of us are today. We are not where God wants us to be today because of our own free will. I'll speak for myself.

Where you are in your maturity is where He has you for now, but He will continue to progress our walk unto the next level He wants us at.

The third point of my interpretation is, although we are born again and walk with Christ, we still fall short of God's glory, we still sin and make mistakes in our lives no matter.

Lets not confuse this with falling short, in sin and mistakes made; God is quick in mercy to the "repentive believer," equates to the "walk of a believer," will be forgiven and can turn things around for good.

Man (even saved) within himself is short of God's glory (perfection), and will ever have some sin-stained ways and works, but this is not the issue with God concerning believers because He knows we shall eventually be perfected upon the resurrection.

I don't feel this commentary of F.G. Patterson was for light reading. Lets continue the discussion and whether agree or disagree, help shed more light so we can learn.

True, and I feel that same concerning all the materials from the Plymouth Brethren (1600's-1800's).


Blessings!

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Based on what you said, 'No fruit is tested to increase faith. That is totally backwards. It's our Faith that produces fruits. It's our obedience that produces fruits.'

I beg to differ with you. 'Our fruit' is tested or examined all the time by God else we deny the power and presence of God and his participation in our growth in faith and our lives. He did not just say you are saved now so go out there and check back with with me when YOU think you have complete faith as Christ. He working with us ALL the way.

(Joh 15:1) The True Vine I am the true vine and my Father is the husbandman.
(Joh 15:2) Every branch in me that carries no fruit, he prunes away; and every branch that carries fruit, he cleanses it, that it may bear more fruit.

(Joh 15:4) Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, so neither can you, except you abide in me.
(Joh 15:5) I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, the same carries much fruit. For severed from me you can do nothing.
(Joh 15:6) If a man does not abide in me, he is thrown out as a branch and withers, and these are gathered and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
(Joh 15:7) If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will and it shall be done to you.
(Joh 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so shall you be my disciples.

We don't go along it alone as it is easy to self-delude ourselves we are growing and being obedient when we are not. When you say 'our faith' produces fruit, I hope you don't mean your and yours alone? And forget how you began in faith from the start. Ephesians 2:8-9 and how we abide in Christ.

(Eph 2:8) For by grace have you been saved through faith, and that faith is not of yourselves, it is a gift from God.
(Eph 2:9) It is not of works, that no one should boast. (NEV)

I think the real issue here is faith; where it actually originates and how it's grown over time and how God plays a great part in it. I just get the impression in your words that you go it alone in this growth. Just saying.

Bless you,

APAK

All your scriptures convey that bearing fruit is vital for a Christian. No fruit means one is not walking, dwelling or living in the Spirit of God.

They show nothing that they develop or if found of Godly quality produce or increase faith.

Yes Faith is tested. Sometimes God places us in a situation to stretch our Faith and that only works if we are walking in His Ways with a willing Heart.

satan our enemy is always testing and trying our Faith by working to discourage us in giving up or stepping outside of true Biblical Faith. Anytime one gets in the flesh which includes being offended or worried and in fear and doubt, they are no longer in Faith or Faith is no longer working in and through us.

When our Faith is tested, it should be as a wake up call unto us. This is when we find out what we are made of. Can we stand diligently without wavering consistently.

Ephesians 6 : 13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Standing strong for the time needed is always going to need a strong well developed Faith.

In James 1 we find about faith being tested by trials. Trials do nothing for faith .
The key is v3.....Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Trials stretch us and give biblical patience a work out and development of our patience or perseverance which is nothing more then the ability to STAND.

Hebrews 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

There is no other scripture speaking how we gain faith or develop a strong Biblical Faith other then by the written word of God.

Hmmm perhaps you should not go off of impressions.... they sometimes are wrong.
It's only through The Holy Spirit do we gain anything through or by the Most Holy Written Word of God and this includes The Development of our Faith.
So it is impossible for me to go at it alone.

Blessings to you and your family
FCJ