Growth The Quality of Faith Is Not Strained!

[netchaplain]

Among the identities of the Christian, which are faith, holiness, righteousness, justification, sanctification, etc., faith is the only attribute which is not a constant. Upon regeneration by the Holy Spirit (rebirth) the believer is holy, righteous, justified and sanctified, which are states of being, not doing. The doing (works) will result from these, which are imputed and not imparted (1 Cor 1:30). They are vicariously possessed in us by the Spirit and cannot be produced, thus one can only “bear,” not produce, “much fruit” (John 15:8).

Knowing the responsibility of producing is of God (it must be “worked in you” Phl 2:13) allows us to rest from the needless labors of attempting to bring about that which He supplies. This frees us more to do our part, which is to "labor to enter that rest," e.g. labor to rest, or believe in the sufficiency of Christ's atonement alone for our support, and true godliness will follow—in our works—not by them. Belief which is exercised in anything other than the efficacy of Christ, is an "example of unbelief" ((Heb 4:11).

That which is constant (holiness, righteousness, etc.) does not vary in degrees, thus the believer will not be more saved (but more delivered from the body—Rom 8:23) in Heaven any more than now, as is the same for all of the remaining Christian attributes. One cannot be more holy or righteous now than at the time of regeneration because these are immutable (Rom 11:29), being imputed from Christ. Can He be more holy or just? “As He is, so are we” (1 John 4:17).

It is the grace of faith that progresses (1 Pet 1:5-7) from these imputed attributes, as the Spirit incrementally “changes” the believer “from glory to glory” (2 Cor 3:18)—without end. Some have the idea that sanctification is a variable because they relate it to that of doing instead of being, but this attribute is always in the present tense and is, as the others are, a single occurrence at rebirth.

As that which is imputed is more understood and learned of by the Spirit, that which is not a constant (faith and works) will continue to increase for the purpose of showing or "glorifying" the life of Christ (Col 3:4), thus worship and service will attain an ever increasing pace.

 

[Edward]

That which is constant (holiness, righteousness, etc.) does not vary in degrees, thus the believer will not be more saved (but more delivered from the body—Rom 8:23) in Heaven any more than now, as is the same for all of the remaining Christian attributes. One cannot be more holy or righteous now than at the time of regeneration because these are immutable (Rom 11:29), being imputed from Christ. Can He be more holy or just? “As He is, so are we” (1 John 4:17).

Wow. What a significant insight this is. This is repeated throughout scripture and seems to be one of the hardest things to believe for many Christians. Thank you sir for your insight and bringing this to light. If we can only remember this and hold it in our hearts as a constant...we could allow the Lord to do greater works through us. God does not change. This is so and something I have learned recently for myself. It is finished, our Lord said.

So why do we continually doubt ourselves and our standing in Christ? Faith. Belief. If we could only see ourselves through the Lords eyes, we could see this. This is so significant brothers and sisters.

I have learned that when the enemy whispers how bad I am to me, to call him a liar and to begin praising the Lord and thanking Him for what He has done for us/me. We need the single eye.

Excellent excellent post.

 

[netchaplain]

Hi Edward - Good to hear from you and thanks for the compliment and encouraging reply. I've learned about the same as you have concerning the "whispers," and have concluded that it's a collusion between our old man and the Enemy, and that entrance for any affect from him (devil) must come through the gate of the old man.

This is acceptable because it cannot be expected of us to be tempt-free nor sin-free, but definitely guilt-free and can be oppression-free. Pressed but not oppressed, tempted but not ruled (Rom 6:12, 14).

I believe this often can leave a believer wondering from which of the two do the temptations originate. Fortunately it doesn't matter because, as you've indicated, the "blood" addresses all sin in us, and the Spirit opposes its source in us--which is the sinful nature (flesh or old man)--Gal 5:17. This maintains in us the desire against all sin, and produces an ongoing desire for all righteousness, while we wait on and trust in the Lord Jesus.

Also, some of what you've commented is in the article I'm posting in the FOS forum today entitled "Enjoy, Enjoy!"

God's blessings to your Family my Brother!

 

[Edward]

Hi Edward - Good to hear from you and thanks for the compliment and encouraging reply. I've learned about the same as you have concerning the "whispers," and have concluded that it's a collusion between our old man and the Enemy, and that entrance for any affect from him (devil) must come through the gate of the old man.

This is acceptable because it cannot be expected of us to be tempt-free nor sin-free, but definitely guilt-free and can be oppression-free. Pressed but not oppressed, tempted but not ruled (Rom 6:12, 14).

I believe this often can leave a believer wondering from which of the two do the temptations originate. Fortunately it doesn't matter because, as you've indicated, the "blood" addresses all sin in us, and the Spirit opposes its source in us--which is the sinful nature (flesh or old man)--Gal 5:17. This maintains in us the desire against all sin, and produces an ongoing desire for all righteousness, while we wait on and trust in the Lord Jesus.

Also, some of what you've commented is in the article I'm posting in the FOS forum today entitled "Enjoy, Enjoy!"

God's blessings to your Family my Brother!

Thank you brother.
I think that many times we/man reacts to his emotions as if they somehow hold a truth of our standing with God. This is not so! Most times, when one is saved initially, they will be filled with the Spirit and have a presence and joy which is emotionally felt in ones being. Later, they miss that feeling and begin thinking that the Lord has left them and they want to get the presence feeling back as some sort of proof of being filled with the Spirit and having God with them. This is a dangerous way to think for it attacks our faith and makes us doubt.

Whether we sensually feel the presence of God or not has no bearing on Gods truth, how He feels about us, or if He is present and with us. God does not lie, and certainly does not teach man to realize or know Him sensually. That is of the flesh! We are told to live for the Spirit, walk in the Spirit! At these times, we are to stand on Gods Word, have faith that He is with us. We are taught the He will never leave us. He wont! Believe it! Have faith!

This is a good subject.