God absolutely does assign us faith ‘according to the measure that God has assigned’.
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, ††EACH ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF FAITH THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED.” Romans 12:3
“… formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, & the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the ††faith and love that are IN Christ Jesus. “. 1 Timothy 1:13–14
*Grace overflows for us WITH faith & love. We don’t receive grace because of our Faith, we receive Faith because of HIS Grace.
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”. Hebrews 11:1
**How do we have assurance, how do we have conviction? Only through the Spirit of God! We can’t muster up assurance, nor can we muster up conviction apart from God. He is our Faith.
That’s why the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5
They didn’t muster up faith for themselves, God gives Faith.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24
To understand we must read the texts proceeding and following the central passage being investigated.
We lay our treasures success, & glory in Heaven with Heavenly, imperishable things, where our treasures are invincible indestructible, & imperishable.
Jesus says His words are Spiritual, we don’t see merely physical existence, we realize & act as if the biological, physical & material are nothing more than a shadow illustrating the Truth and Reality of the Spiritual & Eternal infinite…
The Spiritual Heavenly realm is where we abide in Spirit continually, awaiting our flesh to eventually succumb to nature, freeing us from it’s sinful members & elements.
What we treasure; hold dear, protect & feel sentimental towards is where our heart is.
Our Heart is revealed by our desires & our passions.
✝Matthew 6:19 “….Do not lay up for yourselves treasures (grk: Thēsaurós; Treasured thoughts in mind or heart) on earth, where moth and rust destroy (symbolizing the decay of the temporal physical realm) & where thieves don’t break in and steal (symbolizing the fallen nature, fallibility and sin of man’s heart) …”
“…but lay up for yourselves TREASURES (grk: Thésauros: precious thoughts in mind & heart) in HEAVEN (eternity, Gods realm; parallel dimension outside of the physical laws of time, space, dimension…, unseen with the physical eye, nor understood with the human mind, because the physical is merely a shadow or form of the Spiritual Substance), where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Heaven is perfect, whole, complete & incorruptible…. “
So…..
-“The eye (grk; optanomai: vision, sight/ minds eye) is the LAMP (grk; illuminator) of the BODY (grk: ‘soma’; physical or mystical body, flesh or Body of Christ.)”-
Our Eye is a lamp that illuminates the body.
Our physical body is declared a temple of the Holy Spirit & we are the seperated members of the Spiritual body/ Bride of Christ.
With Eyes that see we illuminate the unadulterated Truth of our Spiritual bodies; through the physical .
Light doesn’t sugarcoat shit.
A lamp’s purpose is to give light in the darkness, our eye is meant to SEE through the Dark; lamps are useless in the LIGHT.
So our EYE gives Light (illumination) through the darkness, our Eye illuminates all it looks at, or through.
A lamp is only needed where there is darkness, a lamp is worthless in the Light.
“…if your Eye is HEALTHY (grk: ‘haplous’; simple, sound, perfect, whole) your whole (entire) body will be FULL OF LIGHT (grk; phóteinos: bright; describing revelation/revealing Nature of light), …”
Jesus said those with EYES can SEE, What kind of EYES? Spiritual Eyes… Holy Eyes, singular Eyes…
(Jesus tells us that His Words are Spirit & the flesh is of no profit at all), Spiritual EYES shine light (revealing Truth& illuminating the secret places that are hidden) in the darkness, revealing the Absolute Truth.
These EYES SEE what the blind cannot because the blind cannot even see that they are in the darkness, and their eye is unhealthy (incomplete, perplexed, plural), they are not Lamps, therefore they can’t SEE, they only assume, it’s all they can do.
“….but if your eye is bad (grk; ponéros: evil or grievous; diseased: neglectful/abandoned, careless), your whole body (entire being/ Mystical Body, Body of Christ) will be full of darkness (grk: skoteinos; dark: moral, intellectual darkness, unenlightened, ignorant) ….”
If our Eye (Vision, Minds Eye) is Evil and careless our mystical body and part in the Body of Christ will be intellectually and morally blacked out, blinded.
“….If then the light (grk:phós; source of light, radiance) in you is darkness (grk: skotos; the power of darkness- Soul loses all perceptive power), how great is the darkness (Obscurity: becoming unknown, forgotten, drown out by the density of darkness; insignificant & eternally lost in the Sightless plight”
Those with EYES can SEE because the EYES that Jesus speaks of are Spiritual eyes, the physical cannot comprehend this. The EYE provides LIGHT for the body (the whole mystical body, wisdom, Truth)… Who is the Light? None other than Jesus Christ is the Light. Jesus alone gives us sight, He alone opens the eyes of the blind.
Then directly after this passage, Jesus says:
“…. No one can serve two masters (grk: kurios; owner: a person of Authority in which the servant follows & serves the Masters interest- consciously or subconsciously we ALL follow one of 2 masters (God YHWH OR Satan, temporary god of the earth), for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
To follow Christ we MUST die to ourselves, crucify the desires of the flesh with Him, take up our Cross and follow Him, if we follow the desires of the flesh, seek after the interests of our own pleasure and feel no war between the Sin nature and the Spirit warring in our members (our bodies) then we are not God’s. God chastises those who He loves, if we aren’t chastised by God we aren’t children of God.
“…..You cannot serve God (grk: theos: Creator) and money (grk: mamónas: riches, possessions, property)….”
The love of riches, possession and physical Property is the Root, Source and Core of ALL evil.
The Eye is Spiritual, we have the Holy Spirit, and we are His Temple to dwell in, He gives us not only Grace, Faith, Salvation, Hope, and Joy BUT He gives us Light, Vision, Truth, & many Fruits; He also gives us the conviction to keep the temple tidy for Him.
Jesus is The Way, Truth & Life. Jesus is also the Light of The World, He died to set us free from the reward of the flesh, in so doing He showed us that the physical realm is nothing more than a metaphor or shadow outlining the True Spiritual Reality. The veil was torn.
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
John 3:19-21
The Light lives in us whom God chooses to put His Light in & Vision is directly from God.
He sets the parameters in which He KNOWS we need in order that we would be able to live a life in alignment with Heaven. He KNOWS what we need, we don’t!
Here is the List of rules an OVERSEER & Deacon must meet, written by Paul:
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task: AN OVERSEER MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH, HE MUST BE the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.HE must manage His household well, with all dignity KEEPING HIS CHILDREN SUBMISSIVE, IF SOMEONE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD, HOW WILL HE CARE FOR GOD’S CHURCH?
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
DEACONS likewise must be: dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, and not greedy for dishonest gain. They must HOLD THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE. And let them also be tested first; Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. LET DEACONS EACH BE THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, MANAGING THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLDS WELL. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. …”
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Since we believers are His actual Kingdom, His Temple, (HE IS THE KING) having His Spirit dwelling in our flesh, guiding us in our desire to pursue, know & maintain His Order, as well as understanding Him. We need His order to function at all.
Women have directions as well, offering us guidance in order to achieve optimal function & reach our full abilities as women.
WOMEN SHOULD:
Enrich themselves in honorable, respectable & sincere garments
Remain hidden in righteousness
Have modesty & self-control
Should NOT be known for her braided hair, gold, pearls or costly attire (flashy)
Should NOT display shallow vanity, (which is a fruit, born from a bitter root in the heart, and is the opposite of modest)
Shall adorn herself with what is proper for a woman who proclaims Godliness
Wear what is sufficient, decent & adequate (being frugal)
Most Importantly: WITH GOOD WORKS as fruit (evidence) , showing through all her actions and interactions…
The following is more of what a woman should be in Christ, but this part of Paul’s list we can clearly SEE is the man’s job to ALLOW her to become. A man’s masculine strength allows her strengths to glisten through.
A weak man makes a weak woman.
LET a woman learn quietly
Providing stability for her, composure, & a steady haven to soften into
With all submissiveness
(LETTING & ALLOWING us women to get into the posture to even choose Submission is only by the strength of man’s dependability and stability in Christ..
Submission, as defined, can NEVER be coerced or faked, if it is forced then it’s coercion or intimidation, not submission but an act..
Paul says: ‘I do not permit (authorize) a woman to teach (guide)
Nor exercise (govern) authority (control, power) over a man
She is to remain quiet (still, relaxed, released from anxiety, free from distractions & at ease in her femininity…)
True submission of a woman is the fruit (evidence) of the trust and confidence she has been given in her husband, a trust that is earned, with substance. How a man tends to his woman and cares for her is the fruit of how much that man has faith in Jesus, making the two truly able to become joined as ONE, having different roles, talents & positions yet perfectly complementary to one another, one flesh, in a perfect Holy union.
A house divided against itself cannot stand, WILL NOT STAND.
Rejecting His guidance is way of the enemy, to plant seeds of rebellion in our hearts.
A quiet, peaceful, and softened woman has a gentle Spirit & is delightful to be around & valuable to all. Women are much more proficient when we are allowed to be free from having to put on the unnatural male attributes (characteristics) which are not natural, in fact these characteristics directly oppose the true nature of our creation, which yearns to be released.
In God’s Design (Order), women have the masculine strength of our husband, who is meant & designed to be our material strength, being durable & dependable enough to allow us to flourish & blossom in our feminine spirituality, knowing that it is safe to not be masculinely guarded, as our husband is our guardian.
Adam was formed first (flesh), then Eve.
God authorized the man & women to function harmoniously. Women are man’s help meat (assistant flesh essence).
Woman was made for man. Man needs woman, women are inwardly strong, we profit man when we behave as we were created to. Adam was guilty of eating the forbidden fruit because he knew better, BUT Eve wasn’t the offender because she was determined to be able to count on Adam to steer and lead her into safety and keep her away from any threat…
As Paul says:
“Adam was not deceived (mislead), but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (Man knew that what He was doing was rebellion and continued to partake, even allowing his woman to partake. He had a full understanding of His actions and consequence ) Adam knew better, the woman went on impulse, intuition on a whim. It’s a feminine strength to be qualified to sense and analyze through our emotions, understanding our environment deeper than men, women have a superior instinctual intuition. Hence why Scriptures tell us to practice modesty and self-control.
1 Timothy 2:8-15
Christ is the Head of man.
Man is the Head of the woman.
The woman is the head of the children…
Under this hierarchy, we will flourish and function as we were meant to. A woman is not a man, a woman doesn’t have the same skill sets as women, just as men surely don’t have the same abilities as us women.
Women can teach in public, share the Gospel, and evangelize, just as Pheobe did but when there’s a physical Church that relies on Administrators and Pastors, the leaders should not be a woman, it’s not our nature to lead men as Shepherd because we are biologically more emotional, we make decisions established on feelings & senses, we are incredible creatures when we are safe to be in our God given feminine…
Of course, we can and do lead but it’s not where we flourish and thrive…
Women fit comfortably in the perfect masculine leader, we are the voice of discretion, depth, and encourage our spouse to discover the deeper elements of circumstances, while men are to keep the rock, the foundation grounded, in truth & in Christ, remaining accountable, men were designed perfectly.
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and steadfastness. Older women are to be reverent (respectful & humble) in behavior, not slanderers (defaming someone with lies, making false accusations) or slaves (addicted) to much wine. Older Women are to teach (instruct) what is good so train (equip) the young women to love their husbands & children, to be self-controlled, pure (true), working at home, kind, and submissive to their husbands… ★Why?★ So that the Word of God may not be reviled (denounced). Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself, in all respects (consistent despite the situation) to be a model (example) of good works, & in your teaching show integrity, dignity, & understandable dialogue that cannot be condemned or criticized, so that an adversary may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (We represent God’s Kingdom, we are ambassadors for Christ)
Titus 2:2-8
Wives, be subject (accountable) to your husbands, so that even if some do not obey the Word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, WHICH IN GOD’S SIGHT IS VERY PRECIOUS. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves; BY SUBMITTING TO THEIR HUSBANDS. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an UNDERSTANDING way, SHOWING HONOR TO THE WOMAN AS THE WEAKER VESSEL, since they are HEIRS with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:1-5, 7
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
God’s Sovereignty is unlimited, because He Himself is limitless.
He foreknew & Predestined ALL THINGS for His Purposes & His Glory so that all things, good and bad would be subject to His Power & Authority.
All things, in Heaven and on earth are donated (provided, given to us) so we could utilize these gifts by the Will of God.
To assume that the physical is independent of the Spiritual & to believe some things are not actually in God’s Will, striping Him of His Majesty and Power.
God has complete sovereignty over His entire creation & He has already purposed every future action & deed to accomplish his end goal. He puts all things in order, He is Order, & He purposes disorder (chaos) to accomplish His plan.
Those He foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. Those He predestined He also called, those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.
Romans 8:29-30
God’s sovereignty is clearly defined in Colossians 1. It says:
“Jesus is the image of the invisible God, firstborn of creation. By him ALL THINGS were created, in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— ALL things were created THROUGH HIM and FOR HIM. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:15-17
Absolutely NOTHING is outside of His complete control, even our very faith He appoints.
“For by the Grace given to me I say to everyone do not think himself more highly than he ought to think, think with sober judgment, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF FAITH THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED.”
Romans 12:3
God is so precisely sovereign that He assigns what measure of Faith His people will have.
By Grace, He assigns us WITH His Faith according to His Sovereign Will. We don’t receive Grace because of our own Faith, we receive Faith because of HIS Grace. All things begin & end with Him…
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, who is the FOUNDER and PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“ALL that the Father gives Me WILL COME TO ME & whoever comes to Me I will NEVER cast out.
Jesus
Can a human’s will override the Will of the Almighty God? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
We receive God’s Mercy on account of our disobedience,
without our disobediance we wouldn’t receive His Mercy, & He wouldn’t be so highly glorified in giving us Mercy… God literally consigns (charges) us to disobedience so that He can have Mercy on us.
Scripture proves this when Paul says: “Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy BECAUSE OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE, SO THEY NOW HAVE BEEN DISOBEDIENT so that by THE Mercy SHOWN TO YOU THEY ALSO MAY NOW RECEIVE Mercy. For GOD HAS CONSIGNED ALL TO DISOBEDIENCE, so that He may have Mercy on all…..
Oh, the depth of the riches & wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments & how MYSTERIOUS are His ways. -Romans 11:30-33
“… formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, & insolent opponent. But I RECEIVED MERCY because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief & the Grace of our Lord overflowed for me with THE FAITH & LOVE THAT ARE IN Christ Jesus. “ -1 Timothy 1:13–14
“Faith is the ASSURANCE of things Hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things NOT SEEN.” -Hebrews 11:1
How do we have assurance? How do we have conviction/evidence of Faith? Only through the Spirit of God who Works in the unseen realm! Jesus is our Faith. That’s why the apostles asked the Lord to directly: “Increase our faith!” (God gives Faith) -Luke 17:5.
Jesus is the Founder & Perfector of FAITH.
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. NOT that we are SUFFICIENT IN OURSELVES TO CLAIM ANYTHING as COMING FROM US, but our SUFFICIENCY IS FROM God…” -2 Corinthians 3:4-5
HE FORMS LIGHT AND DARK
Isaiah 45:7; God says that He is: “The One who forms light and also creating darkness, causing well-being and also creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.” He doesn’t just say that He merely allows darkness & calamity, He says He creates it Himself.
I Chronicle 29:11 tells us that God is sovereign over everything that is in the heavens and the earth, and that He exalts Himself as head over ALL, with might in His hand to make great and to strengthen everyone that He pleases to strengthen. “
God even sinlessly uses sin for the praise of His own glory. Paul makes a Truth statement: “From Him & through Him & to Him are ALL things,”.. Therefore God willed sin to completely demonstrate the perfection of ALL His attributes, in order that: “to Him [would] be Glory forever” -Romans 11:36.
Isaiah 45:7 says God says He is: “The One forming light and also creating darkness, causing well-being and also creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.” He doesn’t just say that He merely allows darkness & calamity, He says He creates it Himself.
Isaiah 31:2 teaches that God is wise and brings forth disaster, and does not ever retract his words.” As His words create All things.
Isaiah 47:11 says that “God Himself brings about evil and disaster upon the unrepentant, & Amos 3:6 declares that when calamity occurs in a city, the Lord is the one to have done it.
Psalm 33:10,11 tell us that “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.” Proving that people have belief in their own freewill but the people’s will are immediately nullified at the only One with a true free will, which is the sovereign God.
We receive God’s Mercy on account of our disobedience, without our disobedience we wouldn’t receive His Mercy, & He wouldn’t be so highly glorified in giving us Mercy… God literally consigns (charges) us to disobedience so that He can have Mercy on us. Scripture proves this when Paul says:
“Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy BECAUSE OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE, SO THEY NOW HAVE BEEN DISOBEDIENT IN ORDER THAT by THE Mercy SHOWN TO YOU THEY ALSO MAY NOW RECEIVE Mercy. ¡For GOD HAS CONSIGNED ALL TO DISOBEDIENCE¡, so that He may have Mercy on all….. Oh, the depth of the riches & wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments & how MYSTERIOUS are His ways!~~~ -Romans 11:30-33
He ordained beforehand the actions of men. He sovereignly planned every outcome, paved every step, and calculated every second of everything whether physical or spiritual.
He gave authority to Pilate to judge the Son (John 19:11); he raises up adversaries against his chosen ones (Exodus 4:21; I Kings 11:14-23) and ordained the actions of evil men by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God that they would nail Christ to the cross (Acts 2:23). Yet in all this God is not the author of sin, but rather he has ordained evil through secondary causes so that his divine purposes may prevail and glorify his name (Genesis 50:20).
The sovereignty of God completely encompasses the righteousness that men do, as well as the evil.
He does this in a way that we cannot fully understand because when we think of being a sovereign individual, we don’t have any personal experience of being actually sovereign and being able to do whatever we want, whenever we want to whoever wants… Sovereignty has no limits. Sovereign humans are limited in Sovereignty because we are but an image of God.
God has ordained that evil is for the glory of his Name, & He has full dominion over the elements of evil men as well. No matter the evil, no matter how Heinous, God has a purpose and a reason for it. This does not alleviate wicked people from their moral responsibility, but rather further condemns them, as they are willing actors in their evil plans, & since God is no respecter of persons, this makes even more sense.
Sin is evil, abominable, corrupt & detestable, & in direct opposition to God. Nevertheless, the very creation of sin is good, not the sin itself but the tool it became ti be used for the Glory of God. God would not have willed it into being if it didn’t serve Him. I’ll prove that Scripture affirms both God’s Will for sin & man’s responsibility for sin.
†SCRIPTURE: When Peter preached a sermon on Pentecost, he convicted the people of Jerusalem of their sin against Jesus their Savior..
Peter: “This Jesus . . . you crucified & killed by the hands of lawless men” -Acts 2:23
Killing Jesus was a sin, the sin was committed by Pilate, Roman soldiers, priests, & religious leaders who cried for Jesus’s crucifixion. Then mocked God’s Son in His torment.
Peter, after calling our the wickedness of their sin, he validates the FULL SOVEREIGNTY of God over ALL these wicked & sinful events;
He says: “… Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested to you by God with mighty works & wonders & signs that God did through Him in your midst… —★ JESUS, DELIVERED UP ACCORDING TO THE PREDETERMINED PLAN & FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, you crucified & killed by the hands of lawless men.” -Acts 2:22-23
God not only knew that His Son would be tortured, mocked, & slain, but it was according to His PREDETERMINED & ETERNAL PLAN for God, in ORDER that these events took place. ” …putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” -Acts 2:24
It’s such an marvelous & heartening attribute to grasp. . God chose to save His people because they were sinners, saved through the blood of His Son…. As a display of SOVEREIGN MERCY. So that we would be converted from sin & washed by His Will through His Atoning blood & in being washed, God is GLORIFIED in His Son. God is even Glorified now in the Power that His Grace provides.. He is a Glory for enabling us not to sin & I’m turn He’s glorified even more.
The paradox of sin’s origin enables us, who are in Christ, to be able to perceive & discern with Divine transparency God’s amazing Love & Mercy in His Son… “to the praise of His glorious Grace” (Eph 1:6).
A voice from heaven declared to Nebuchadnezzar: “… sovereignty has been REMOVED from you, & you will be driven away from mankind, & your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, & SEVEN PERIODS OF TIME WILL PASS OVER YOU ***UNTIL YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THE MOST HIGH IS RULER OVER THERE REALM OF MANKIND BESTOWED IT ON *WHOMEVER He WISHES. ‘*** Immediately, The Word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was FULFILLED; (Gods Will completely anniahlated his will.) & he was driven away from mankind & began eating grass like cattle, & his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. Daniel 4:31-33
How did He get out of Gods punishment? Was it his choice, is there any implication of choice here? Nope.
“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven (He looked (Saw) to Heaven) & my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High & praised & honored Him who lives forever; For His DOMINION is an EVERLASTING DOMINION, & His kingdom endures from generation to generation. ALL the INHABITANTS of the earth are ACCOUNTED AS NOTHING… But He DOES ACCORDING TO HIS WILL IN THE HOST OF HEAVEN & AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF EARTH; & NO ONE CAN WARD OFF His HAND.. Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 4:34-37
To the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.. IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION through His blood… the forgiveness of our trespasses, ACCORDING to the riches of His Grace, which he lavished upon us… in ALL WISDOM & INSIGHT… Making KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL… according to His Purpose, which He SET FORTH in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time… to unite all things in Him, things in heaven & things on earth. Ephesians 1:6-10
We are saved by Jesus from being eternal slaves to sin, which is a part of the penalty of that sin… being a slave to it.
Prior to the instant of salvation, we are bound to, & love our own sin, we don’t feel the sting that we inescapably experience after Salvation.
If we feel no sting after engaging in sin, it’s improbable that we are truly saved, because the Holy Spirit is the One that transmits that sting through us, in whom He inhabits.
We can’t cease sinning entirely so long as we are physically alive in this perishing flesh.
as Paul said, “if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us & we make God a liar.”
We are guaranteed our Eternal Inheritance with Him if we are truly His.
“& you were dead in trespasses & sins… following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom WE ALL once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body & the mind, & were BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by Grace you have been saved— & raised us up with Him & seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
Ephesians 2:1-6
We are also saved by God from the wrath of God & eternal death & damnation.
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
We are saved by Jesus from being eternal slaves to sin, which is a part of the penalty of that sin… being a slave to it.
Prior to the instant of salvation, we are bound to, & love our own sin, we don’t feel the sting that we inescapably experience after Salvation.
If we feel no sting after engaging in sin, it’s improbable that we are truly saved, because the Holy Spirit is the One that transmits that sting through us, in whom He inhabits.
We can’t cease sinning entirely so long as we are physically alive in this perishing flesh.
as Paul said, “if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us & we make God a liar.”
We are guaranteed our Eternal Inheritance with Him if we are truly His.
“& you were dead in trespasses & sins… following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom WE ALL once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body & the mind, & were BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by Grace you have been saved— & raised us up with Him & seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
Ephesians 2:1-6
We are also saved by God from the wrath of God & eternal death & damnation.
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
We are saved by Jesus from being eternal slaves to sin, which is a part of the penalty of that sin… being a slave to it.
Prior to the instant of salvation, we are bound to, & love our own sin, we don’t feel the sting that we inescapably experience after Salvation.
If we feel no sting after engaging in sin, it’s improbable that we are truly saved, because the Holy Spirit is the One that transmits that sting through us, in whom He inhabits.
We can’t cease sinning entirely so long as we are physically alive in this perishing flesh.
as Paul said, “if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us & we make God a liar.”
We are guaranteed our Eternal Inheritance with Him if we are truly His.
“& you were dead in trespasses & sins… following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom WE ALL once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body & the mind, & were BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by Grace you have been saved— & raised us up with Him & seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
Ephesians 2:1-6
We are also saved by God from the wrath of God & eternal death & damnation.
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
If we humans were honest, can we say that our heart has never desired, since we know there is a God, that He were a little less Holy, maybe a little less Pure, so that those things which are actually very serious sins against Him would be instead regarded as lesser, just a simple slip in need of no punishment?
The desire to change God from what He says He is into what we think He should be shows we don’t love Him as we ought, we love aspects of Him that make us feel like we are thriving.
He’s the God of Heaven and Earth, God of all things visible and invisible. He’s the Cause of every effect… We talk about having faith, maintaining relationship, & possessing passion for Him. We boast that we love God by our outward works while simultaneously looking down on others who don’t have the appearance of Godliness as we do, or as we think we do.
Haters of God who boast in their own love for Him do love the idea of a God who’ll do good things for them, offer them the desires of their fleshly hearts while rejecting His True nature, proving the true enmity we humans have against Him.
As He reveals Himself through His Scripture, is it not true that we strive to twist the reasons why He isn’t who He clearly says He is because it shatters the idea of Him we fashioned in our own minds, in the image of our own broken psyche?
“PRAYER gives the Holy Spirit permission to do God’s will — He cannot act without getting permission from a human with Authority.”
Permission is defined as: The act of permitting, especially in giving formal consent
That quote is appealing, sounds right to the average Joe, right?
Is it biblical?
Is it true?
Is the limitless power of the universe at our disposal?
Does God require our permission to do anything?
Do we live in a universe where control over the invisible and visible is in the hands of the human will?
No, no, no, and no.
The Serpent’s lie in the Garden of Eden was bad enough:
“you will be ‘like’ God.”
The assertion that God requires one’s permission to act on behalf of any matter is a flawed belief that suggests the individual possesses godlike qualities. This belief is not in line with the reality that God is the ultimate authority and we are subject to His command.
It is important to understand that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and we are mere mortals who are dependent on His mercy and grace. To suggest that God requires our permission to act on any matter is to place ourselves in a position of authority over God. This is a dangerous belief that can lead to arrogance and a false sense of power. It is important to recognize that we are not in control of the universe, and that God is the one who is ultimately in charge.
Furthermore, the idea that we have the power to grant permission to God is not supported by any religious text or tradition.
We recognize that God’s wisdom and knowledge far surpasses our own, and that His plans are always for our ultimate good.
Are we the ones holding the reigns?
His power is restrained by us?
God is in control and holds ultimate authority over all things. We are called to submit to His will and trust in His guidance. The idea that we hold the reins in our relationship with God is dangerous and heretical. We are completely dependent on God for our existence, salvation, and destiny. Our role is to respond in faith and obedience to His call, surrendering our desires and trusting in His plan. Humble submission to God’s will is the foundation of our faith and the key to a fulfilling relationship with Him.
The Bible teaches that God is the One who loves and pursues us, not the other way around. We are the ones who arerequired’s love and forgiveness. To suggest that God needs something from us is to turn the whole relationship upside down.
Our flesh always tries to control and manipulate things, including our relationship with God. We want to be in control, and we don’t like the idea of God having any power over us.
Is God a divine genie, ‘an all-powerful wish grantor, He lets us pretend to be His keeper’?
Every believer I’ve ever met makes the claim ‘God can do anything”… yet, He may only do ‘anything’ when we “permit” Him?
God limits Himself to our passions. Where is God’s Power in that?
2 Tim 3:5 says that some will have a form (aspect, presentation, material) of Godliness but reject IT’S POWER. God’s Spirit is Power.
Serious Question:
When did you allow God to form you in your mother’s womb?
What about someone who has cancer?
Is it not going into remission because they haven’t permitted God to heal their cancer?
As if God’s hands are tied until we bags of flesh give Him the “GO”?
To add: There isn’t a single story of Christ ever asking anyone for permission to ACT; quite the opposite.
Scripturally:
God doesn’t need our permission. We are invited by Him to willingly consent to His plans, but He’s not limited by our desires. When the Creator of everything – visible and invisible – invites a person to consent to His plans, that person WILL consent to His plans, willingly.
Just like when God commands you to breathe His breath into your lungs, He doesn’t ask you for permission, and you aren’t feeling dictated to or controlled by Him doing so either, right?
The clay has no right over the Potter. But the Potter has ALL RIGHTS over the clay.
Scripture:
BY Him, ALL THINGS were created, in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities—ALL THINGS were created through Him & FOR HIM.”
Colossians 1:16
WHATEVER THE LORD PLEASES, HE DOES, In heaven, earth, in the seas & in all deeps.”
Psalm 135:6
Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.
Psalm 115:3
It is *God* who works in you to will & to act on behalf of His good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13
Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.”
2 Chronicles 25:8
God says: Even from Eternity I am He, And there is NONE who can deliver out of MY hand; I ACT & WHO CAN REVERSE IT?
Isaiah 43:13
The life of every living thing is in God’s hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:10
It does not depend on man’s desire or effort but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:16
“Not death or life, or angels or rulers, or things present or things to come, or powers, heights, depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
This includes our own will, does it not?
All who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the DESIRE OR WILL of man, but born of God.
John 1:12-13
“And you were DEAD in the trespasses and sins”
Eph 2:3, Col 2:13
DEAD means spiritually dead.
How can the spiritually dead make the spiritual decision to live? In the same way, a physically dead person can make the physical decision to live. He can’t. He’s dead…
ONLY an outside force can bring the dead to life, & ONLY One WILL have that power… The dead don’t choose life. How can they?
“There’s no one who understands, no one who seeks God……”
Romans 3:11
If we could understand and seek by our will, we would not desperately need the Holy Spirit to intercede as we do, nor would Jesus’ death be of any purpose.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
John 15:16
Did Jesus’ Apostles have a choice? NO. Jesus says, NO!
For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
Revelation 17:17
The Holy Spirit, how does HE work?
As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear heard, no heart imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit… The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have NOT received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may UNDERSTAND what God has FREELY GIVEN US. & this is what we speak, NOT in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing SPIRITUAL TRUTHS in spiritual words… The NATURAL MAN does NOT accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEM, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
Paul’s warning is very clear about false doctrines, they appeal to the human will and recoil at the idea of having to relinquish control:
Paul :
“Let him who boasts boast only in the Lord.”It’s not the one who commends himself who’s approved, but the one whom the Lord commends….I am afraid, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your SIMPLE and pure devotion to Christ. ( The Simplicity of Christ is enough) For if someone comes & proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily…. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions…. If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying. I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
Salvation is the act of being saved or delivered from sin and its consequences through God’s grace and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. It is a gift that guarantees both eternal existence, and it is not dependent on our works or wavering faith, but on the sure foundation of Christ.
John 10:28: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
This verse emphasizes that those who believe in Christ will receive eternal life and will be secure in God’s hand.
Ephesians 4:30: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in salvation by convicting individuals of their need for Jesus Christ and sealing them as God’s children.
Romans 8:38–39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This verse reassures believers that nothing can separate them from God’s love.
Salvation is a profound and transformative concept that encompasses the deliverance of sinners from the clutches of sin and its consequences. It is solely through God’s boundless grace and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior that we can attain salvation. Our ultimate salvation does not rest on our own works or wavering faith, but on the sure foundation of Christ and His sacrificial love.
A Journey of Redemption and Grace
Salvation is the act of being saved or delivered from the bondage of sin and its dire consequences. This profound transformation is made possible through the unfathomable grace of God. Through His divine decree, we receive the invaluable gift of eternal life, ensuring our existence not only in this temporal world but also in the eternal realm.
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in the journey of salvation.
He convicts individuals of their need for Jesus Christ, regenerates and transforms their hearts, and seals them as beloved children of God. Ephesians 4:30 reminds us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, as it is through this divine seal that we are protected until the day of redemption.
Our salvation rests firmly on the foundation of Christ, rather than our transient works or inconsistent faith.
Through His selfless sacrifice, Jesus redeemed us from the chains of sin, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Therefore, we can be assured that not a single soul, redeemed by His grace, will be lost. This assurance provides a solid anchor for our faith, comforting us with the knowledge that our eternal life is secure in Christ.
Salvation is not a one-time event or a simple transaction, but rather, it encompasses a comprehensive journey. It is a process in which we are justified, called, and ultimately glorified, as stated in Romans 8:30. This progression, orchestrated by God Himself, reveals His divine plan and purpose for each individual.
One important aspect of salvation is the irrevocability of the gifts bestowed upon us by God. Once God selects and assigns spiritual gifts such as grace, faith, salvation, and redemption, they become immutable and inseparable from His love.
Romans 11:29 affirms this truth, stating, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
This understanding brings a sense of assurance, knowing that God’s gifts are not subject to revocation.
However, it is crucial to emphasize that genuine saving faith is not a superficial profession, but a sincere and heartfelt surrender to the lordship of Christ.
If someone were to abandon their professed belief, it becomes evident that they never truly held it.
As 1 John 2:19 elucidates, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
This truth highlights the authenticity and permanence of true saving faith.
In the realm of theology and biblical teachings, a resounding truth emerges: God’s elect, those chosen by Him, will persevere until the end and cannot lose their salvation.
The scripture in John 10:28 reaffirms this, assuring us that no one can snatch us out of God’s hand.
This assurance stems from the understanding that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or strength, but is upheld by the unwavering love and faithfulness of God.
The profound comfort lies in the knowledge that our salvation is entirely dependent on God’s boundless grace and not on our own works. It is His unwavering commitment to His chosen ones that ensures their safe passage to heaven. As we journey through life, let us find solace in the understanding that the gift of eternal life, bestowed upon us by God, is a testament to His immeasurable love and grace.
Resources:
“Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem – This book provides an in-depth exploration of various theological topics, including salvation.
“The Gospel According to John” – This Gospel provides insights into the teachings of Jesus regarding salvation and eternal life.
“The Epistle to the Romans” – This letter by the Apostle Paul delves into the theological aspects of salvation and God’s grace.
“The Holy Bible” – The ultimate source of wisdom and guidance, the Bible contains numerous passages that explore the concept of salvation and its implications.
