Do you believe that God is working through you?

[stovebolts]

I would argue that the faithful keeping the Christian faith is in its self a glorification of God.

Why would you want to argue at all? Is there only one way to understand giving glory to God, or are you making the claim that your understanding is right, hence inferring those that disagree are wrong?

Personally, i don't like the spirit of argument. I believe we are called to be wise and discerning.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

One can only hope that God is working through us. But the thing is that God is sovereign over everything. He can use a believer or a nonbeliever. Bless a sinner with a ministry or a task, or bless someone who acts better and lives more for God.

After all didn't God use the prophets in Israel to send his message, but also use pagan nations like Babylon to punish Israel. God used John the Baptist to preach to all of Israel to repent of their sins before Jesus started his ministry, and God spoke through the high priest when he spoke out against Jesus. Though he said it in his sin to murder an innocent man, God spoke through him when he said let one man die for many, because that's what Jesus came to do.

God can use anyone from anywhere, to work through them. But for those of us who believe in God, we can only hope that God works through us too. At least for me there is nothing that I do that can be bragged about for being a good work to God. With my work schedule and commuting, that'll all I have time for. If He works through me, it's in ways I'm not aware of. (Which unfortunately means my honest answer is that likely I'm not doing enough for God, or that maybe God is not working through me right now).

Nonetheless. We can always hope that God uses us even when we are unaware, just like He can work through both the believer and the unbeliever.

 

[tdidymas]

More to the point why ask the question.

As James says we show our faith by our deeds.
Often our greatest deeds will only be known by the recipient and by God, for those around us they will see how we behave at church, our regular attendance at the weekly prayer meeting ( are you one who attends? ), at work and in those parts of family life they see.

I asked the question because I want to find out what people believe about this subject. I'm focusing on belief, as that is the question.
TD

 

[Who Me]

Why would you want to argue at all? Is there only one way to understand giving glory to God, or are you making the claim that your understanding is right, hence inferring those that disagree are wrong?

Personally, i don't like the spirit of argument. I believe we are called to be wise and discerning.

To argue is to make one's case. It does not have to involved raised voices etc.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

To argue is to make one's case. It does not have to involved raised voices etc.

Wait... I can raise my voice online? I must try this! Not for arguments sake though.

Am I louder now?
Am I louder now?
HOW ABOUT NOW.

Can you hear me now?

I should stop though, before I say anything too colorful.

 

[stovebolts]

To argue is to make one's case. It does not have to involved raised voices etc.

My point is this. Were a discussion forum, not a debate forum because the only place i know one has to make their case, is when one NEEDS to win their argument.

Words matter, so the language we use either creates an atmosphere that spurs healthy discussion and growth or it creates an atmosphere where cases are won because heels get dug in. I'd like to foster the first atmosphere.

Anyway, i don't want to belabor my point, let alone build a case for it. Instead, i would invite you to use language that invites discussion that spurs intrigue resulting in engagements that spur language of reconciliation and growth.

 

[stovebolts]

Can you hear me now?

I switched to Sprint!

 

[Who Me]

My point is this. Were a discussion forum, not a debate forum because the only place i know one has to make their case, is when one NEEDS to win their argument.

Words matter, so the language we use either creates an atmosphere that spurs healthy discussion and growth or it creates an atmosphere where cases are won because heels get dug in. I'd like to foster the first atmosphere.

Anyway, i don't want to belabor my point, let alone build a case for it. Instead, i would invite you to use language that invites discussion that spurs intrigue resulting in engagements that spur language of reconciliation and growth.

When it is a matter of just one's opinion or of faulty views then argue and more fordable phrases are justified.

 

[Who Me]

Wait... I can raise my voice online? I must try this! Not for arguments sake though.

Am I louder now?
Am I louder now?
HOW ABOUT NOW.

Can you hear me now?

I should stop though, before I say anything too colorful.

So long as you are not shouting!

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I switched to Sprint!

Man, that just hurts. You hear me and then switch networks. How am I not suppose to take it personally?

So long as you are not shouting!

I wasn't shouting yet? And I was trying so hard.

 

[for_his_glory]

No I got it spot on.
We are not to boast about what we do, about our good deeds etc.

Is God working through each of us. Define what you mean by that.
Our role is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever. According to the Westminster confession of faith.

The OP is not about good deeds, but about us loving others. It has nothing to do with works, but that of the condition of our heart.

 

[for_his_glory]

My flesh will not allow me to love others with an Agape love, but when I am being led by the Holy Spirit it's then that the love of Christ works through me that I can show others unconditional love being the same love Christ has for me even if I mess up at times.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

So, the question is, do you practice the faith that God is working His love through you? Do you find yourself in times of tribulation asking God to love people through you? Are you practicing that prayer daily in your routine life?

When we walk like Jesus and ask for him to make us more like him, things become easier to do such as commitment and loving.

 

[Susannah]

1 John 4:7 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." This is not talking about the human feeling kind of love that the world always talks about, but it's talking about agape, the God-kind of love.

So, the question is, do you practice the faith that God is working His love through you? Do you find yourself in times of tribulation asking God to love people through you? Are you practicing that prayer daily in your routine life?

Just trying to find out what people think about this.
TD

I think I already posted on this thread. But just to make it clear, God is definitely working through me. And he's a taskmaster. If I watch too much TV he sends me a headache so I will turn it off and begin my prayer and meditation. But he is also giving back to me for my service. I donated some money to my orphans in Kenya and the next day the same amount was donated to me by a friend. So it all evens out. Whatever you give you get back at some point in your life. I don't like doing everything the Lord asks me to do but I do it anyway because I love him so much. I can be rebellious but I always cave in. God saved my life and I owe him a great deal. I also feel like I get special attention because I'm his trusted servant. Not that I'm special but the work I do is dear to his heart