Hebrews 11 talks about those who had real faith, but first defines what faith is, Heb 11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (2) For by it the men of old gained approval. (3) By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
It is by this faith that I understand that God is sovereign; real faith, not a mental assertion only, demands that I acknowledge the sovereignty of God in my life; and this acknowledgment demands in turn that I submit to God as King over everything, including my desires, my heart, my mind, all of my being.
I will make sense eventually, I hope.
Later on in that chapter of Hebrews, the apostle talks about those who lived in caves, and wandered in the desert, suffering: 11:36-40 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (38) (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. (39) And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, (40) because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Did you see that? The world is not worthy to have people of faith walking around, this world is not worthy to be inhabited with God's children; the whole system of philosophy and empty deceit in which we move and live is not worthy of us being in it. I am grateful that I don't have to roam the earth and live in a hole in the ground.
Since God reigns absolutely above everything and we have this testimony that people of faith have suffered immensely in the past (many are today suffering immensely, even to death), proves that it is God who determines what kind of test He will test me with, what kind of life I shall live in this world. According to Peter, God is also protecting me by His power through this faith; and after praising God for His deliverance, he adds: 1Pe 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, (7) so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (8) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (9) obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
"If necessary" is necessary to prove that my faith is the real deal; and in my case, the "if necessary" is a constant necessity, at least it seems to be this way, and I think it is because I believe, but my unbelief needs help.
God reigns over all things and people and beings, the bible is filled with statements that support this doctrine, here are a few examples of what I am saying, check this:
Prov. 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
Dan. 4:35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?'
Psa 93:1-5 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. (2) Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. (3) The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods lift up their pounding waves. (4) More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty. (5) Your testimonies are fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Psa 96:9-13 Worship the LORD in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth. (10) Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity." (11) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; (12) Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy (13) Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.
The idea that God reigns absolute is not mine; it is God's idea in the first place, He clearly states it for all of His children to see His glory, as glorious as He is, or at least as glorious as He chooses to reveal Himself to us; and this is His nature: infinite holiness, power and wisdom, and love, and justice, He is merciful and kind, patient and forbearing; etc. All of His attributes are without limits, a concept that our puny brains cannot even imagine to be able to understand.
In His omnipotent rule, God does His work in His timing, at the perfect time, one hundred percent of the time in a perfect manner, according to His perfect will, and for the one and only purpose of bringing Glory to Himself; if He didn't do that, He would not be God. His own nature makes it impossible for Him to be any other way.
Looking down into the earth from above, I can see that I am less than a worm, a creature so despicable in His sight that the only way for God to even pay any attention to me in a favorable way, requires that I have His nature; which is, humanly speaking, an impossibility; only God can make something like that happen, to make someone holy who is not holy, and make him or her to be acceptable in His sight can only be done by Him.
I know by what God has written through His people, that this could only be possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. His imputed righteousness is the covering, the "holy attire" of Psalm 96, that I need, to be accepted and forgiven, and rescued from the darkness, and be translated into the kingdom of light. This message of the gospel, is the instrument by which God Himself provided a way for me to know Him, He even gave me the faith to believe in Christ Jesus, so that I would not boast about anything in me; this is His infinite wisdom in display, and this also proves that He is the One in control.
The transformation that Jesus refers to as being "born from above", has very definite and inevitable consequences; and these are all the traits of the "divine nature" that Peter says we have been made to be partakers of. With this amazing change in me (a miracle indeed), God will produce whatever He wants to produce in me, because He has placed His Holy Spirit in me; and if He reigns over all, He reigns even more over me; if He turns the hearts of kings like streams of water and makes them go in whatever way He chooses, imagine what He does with us who have His Spirit inside. He rules.
Many times (perhaps all the times), God produces fruit in me by placing me in dire straits, or in the furnace of affliction, and I am to rejoice over that. James is clear about that: Jas 1:2-8 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (6) But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, (8) being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
My question has been many times in the past, what does God require of me? If He requires anything at all. And the fact is, according to the scriptures, that He has many requirements placed upon me; it is a very long list, let's see, just from the top of my head and out of memory alone I can think of a few: love God with all your heart, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself; pray without ceasing, rejoice in the Lord always, do not be anxious about anything, love one another with sincere love, forgive each other, forgive those who trespass against you, love your enemies; do nothing out of strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each of you consider others better than himself; do not grumble or complain, do not let any corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but only what edifies others, be of the same mind with Christ and each other, put your mind on things above where Christ is; be an imitator of God as dear children; weep with those who weep, bear each other's burdens and in so doing fulfill the law of Christ, present your body as a living sacrifice, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, abstain from sexual immorality. Walk in the Spirit; do not be drunk with wine; be filled with the Spirit; If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men, make up for yourselves treasures in heaven, do not worry about food or clothing; exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; humble yourself under His mighty hand and He will exalt you in due time; be tender hearted and forgive each other; deny yourself, pick up your cross daily and follow Me; worship God in Spirit and in truth; moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; speak the truth in love; help those who are in need; do not return evil for evil; be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; put off the old man and put on the new; comfort one another with these words..... I can keep on going but I hope you get my point, so I won't. Every single one of those requirements are written in the word of God, most of them in the new testament, I am sure you have read them many times.
All of these requirements, and more, have been placed upon me by God, and none of them are based on anyone's performance but mine, so I have no excuses before Him. But He knows I cannot do them; if I know God and I know myself, I know that it is impossible for me to obey Him and meet these requirements; it is God Himself who has to perform all these things in me through the power of His Spirit living in me; it has to be like that or else I would boast about it, and one thing He does not do, and will never do, is share His glory with anyone else but Himself.
It is God who inclines my heart to think, speak and act in a godly way, or as Paul says, to walk worthy of Him, and so he asks, Philp.1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, (10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; (11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
I know by what God has written through His people, that this could only be possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. His imputed righteousness is the covering, the "holy attire" of Psalm 96, that I need, to be accepted and forgiven, and rescued from the darkness, and be translated into the kingdom of light. This message of the gospel, is the instrument by which God Himself provided a way for me to know Him, He even gave me the faith to believe in Christ Jesus, so that I would not boast about anything in me; this is His infinite wisdom in display, and this also proves that He is the One in control.
The transformation that Jesus refers to as being "born from above", has very definite and inevitable consequences; and these are all the traits of the "divine nature" that Peter says we have been made to be partakers of. With this amazing change in me (a miracle indeed), God will produce whatever He wants to produce in me, because He has placed His Holy Spirit in me; and if He reigns over all, He reigns even more over me; if He turns the hearts of kings like streams of water and makes them go in whatever way He chooses, imagine what He does with us who have His Spirit inside. He rules.
Many times (perhaps all the times), God produces fruit in me by placing me in dire straits, or in the furnace of affliction, and I am to rejoice over that. James is clear about that: Jas 1:2-8 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (6) But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, (8) being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
My question has been many times in the past, what does God require of me? If He requires anything at all. And the fact is, according to the scriptures, that He has many requirements placed upon me; it is a very long list, let's see, just from the top of my head and out of memory alone I can think of a few: love God with all your heart, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself; pray without ceasing, rejoice in the Lord always, do not be anxious about anything, love one another with sincere love, forgive each other, forgive those who trespass against you, love your enemies; do nothing out of strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each of you consider others better than himself; do not grumble or complain, do not let any corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but only what edifies others, be of the same mind with Christ and each other, put your mind on things above where Christ is; be an imitator of God as dear children; weep with those who weep, bear each other's burdens and in so doing fulfill the law of Christ, present your body as a living sacrifice, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, abstain from sexual immorality. Walk in the Spirit; do not be drunk with wine; be filled with the Spirit; If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men, make up for yourselves treasures in heaven, do not worry about food or clothing; exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; humble yourself under His mighty hand and He will exalt you in due time; be tender hearted and forgive each other; deny yourself, pick up your cross daily and follow Me; worship God in Spirit and in truth; moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; speak the truth in love; help those who are in need; do not return evil for evil; be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; put off the old man and put on the new; comfort one another with these words..... I can keep on going but I hope you get my point, so I won't. Every single one of those requirements are written in the word of God, most of them in the new testament, I am sure you have read them many times.
All of these requirements, and more, have been placed upon me by God, and none of them are based on anyone's performance but mine, so I have no excuses before Him. But He knows I cannot do them; if I know God and I know myself, I know that it is impossible for me to obey Him and meet these requirements; it is God Himself who has to perform all these things in me through the power of His Spirit living in me; it has to be like that or else I would boast about it, and one thing He does not do, and will never do, is share His glory with anyone else but Himself.
It is God who inclines my heart to think, speak and act in a godly way, or as Paul says, to walk worthy of Him, and so he asks, Philp.1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, (10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; (11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Therefore, God's requirements are simple: Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
In Jesus' words, He describes me like this: Mat 5:3-11 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (5) "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (6) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (7) "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (8) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (9) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (10) "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
It takes time for the Lord to change me, The Lord doesn't deal with everyone in the same way as far as I can see; He chose to do it like that; that is why I live in time and space, with a sick body and the vestiges of a depraved nature clinging to the new creation in Christ; I am nothing but one more of His children, one more blessed individual upon whom God has chosen to place His favor; and He does not owe me anything but Justice, but instead of judgment I have received mercy, and grace, and reconciliation, and acceptance, and adoption, and a new heart; I have been justified by faith and therefore I have peace with God; and I must have peace with others, sooner or later; I must because God must finish the work He started in me, and He will for sure finish it whether I like it or not; the marvel is that I do like it, and that is part of His work.
The part that I don't like, and I doubt anyone else likes it either, is the part when I am in the furnace of affliction; how many times do I need to be in there? As many times as are necessary; God will be glorified in spite of my desires. I am not a patient man, but I know I am more patient than I was one year ago; I am not a loving man, but I know I am more loving than I was last year; I am not a forgiving man, but I know I am more forgiving than I was before; I am not an obedient man, but I know I am more obedient than I was before; I am not a humble person, but I know that I am less prideful than I was before; God is still working in me, and I trust that He will make me what He wants me to be, there is no doubt about that.
What an amazing fact this is, God is still working in me. The same way that He reigns and works in me, He does so in my brothers and sisters, and I know they cry out to Him the same way I do: God please be merciful to me, a sinner; God please be patient with me; God please help me; Father please forgive me, oh God please....fill in the blank.
In all this crying out, and in all this walking, and believing, and trusting, and denying myself when I do, I know all of it is His work, and it is His work done His way, and in His schedule, for His glory alone, period. And in all this, His grace and mercy are showered upon me every single day of my life; and on top of that He even answers my prayers, what a magnificent condescension; in spite of my sin and because of Jesus, He answers my prayers. That just blows my mind.
If God is working, and He is working all the time, He is doing it in the best possible way; He never does anything half way, He always finishes what He starts, and I rejoice in that. Everything that happens is His doing, and I mean everything, from the movement of a grain of sand on the beach to the ruling of kings across the earth, He controls everything. That is a very comforting thought, as I said at the beginning, because I know that all things will work out for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.
Suffering is a fact of this life, and according to Paul it is actually a gift from God: Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. The work that God has foreordained for me to do includes suffering, there is no escape from that fact; any time I am to do something for God's glory, I will suffer opposition; and many times this opposition even comes from my own brothers; but God is wise and He knows what I need, and so I will walk with Him to the best of my ability.
I can complain, and I often have, and I can grumble and curse, as I often have, and get angry when things are not what I want them to be (and things are never what I want them to be, that is a fact); I can demand answers and explanations as to why people behave the way they do, or why they have done or not done something that I think needs to be done, I can question their motives, etc etc; and all this accomplishes absolutely nothing in the end, except stroke my pride and feel better about myself, or get irritated even more than I was when I started. That is pure arrogance and pride. My complaining and grumbling is only a clear indication of an ungrateful heart, it only screams that I don't like what God has given, and it is a grievous sin, I think, because I dislike the way God is working, I don't like the way He reigns; it is the clay asking the potter why is He making it like this.
Walking with God requires that I swallow my pride and that I humble myself under His mighty hand; I can do that willingly, or He will do it His way, the furnace is always hot and ready; He reigns supreme over all things and beings, and He will accomplish all His purpose, with or without me. It has always been this way, and it will always be this way; this is reality in His kingdom; you don't have to agree with me, but if you read the bible you will have to agree with Him.
This blog is too long, I know, but that's how my mind works, in long streams of thought. All I want to say is to acknowledge that God is sovereign, that He reigns over all His creatures, and that He is at work in me to will and to perform of His good pleasure, sometimes I don't like it, but I don't have to like it or even approve of it; my Father knows best, so I pray for humility and for willingness, and I am sure that I pray according to His will and He will keep me humble, and willing.
I leave you with Jude's doxology: Jude 1:24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, (25) to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Have a nice day.
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