Some people would say that they do not see how it can be possible because of the sin in every believer that makes daily confession absolutely necessary. (Google image, Who were the disciples of Christ?)
Others might answer that although such a standard is possible for Paul and other spiritual men, it is not within the reach of all. Such a life is not for everyone.
A large majority content themselves with the thought of an attractive yet unattainable ideal which exercises its elevating influence on those who remain far below it.
Surely Paul meant in all sincerity not only to testify of what God had shown him by revelation but had actually accomplished within him. He speaks in chapter one of the revelation of the Spirit to make us know the greatness of God's power through our faith in Christ raised from the dead and seated on the throne.
In chapter three he tells of our being strengthened by the Spirit in the inner man, so that the great miracle of grace is perfected in us. Christ dwells in our heart, filling us with all the fullness of God.
He finally adds the ascription of praise, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory" (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Paul undoubtedly means that this was his own experience, and he confidently urges his readers to believe that it can be theirs.
An Ideal or an experience?
The greatness of God's power working in the heart from moment to moment, day by day, is the ground on which the standard of devotion rests. Paul holds this standard out to us.
Unceasing prayer is required to know this power, to believe it, and to receive it. Without prayer, we will regard the standard as an impractical one and continue in ignorance of what is offered for our acceptance.
Why is this mighty power of God working in us seldom taught and rarely experienced? Is the whole Church in error in resting content with far lower standard than what Paul's letter holds out to us? The answer to these questions will lead us to the root of the evil from which the Church is suffering.
We all know God gave Abraham to Israel as the great example of faith in Him. Abraham believed that God was able to raise the dead, both in his own case and in the sacrifice of Isaac.
Yet we know how Israel, from the beginning of God's dealings in Egypt, continually grieved Him by unbelief.
Their unbelief condemned them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Psalm 78 tells us their story and shows how they continually limited God by unbelief.
We know, too, how our Lord Jesus continually sought to cultivate faith in His disciples as the one condition for them seeing the power and the glory of God. He set Paul forth as a witness to the power of faith, not only in justification, but in the whole of our spiritual life and service.
Yet just as Israel, despite the example of Abraham, utterly failed in trusting God, so in the Church it became plain how little man knows to receive his salvation based on trust in God alone.
We know how terribly the Galatians failed. The letter to the Hebrews warns above everything against unbelief. The Church of the second century was brought into bondage under the law. The human heart naturally turns from grace and faith to the law and works.
In the lives of the Church fathers we find, with all their earnestness, how little they understood faith in the power of God as the one secret of a life pleasing to him. They developed a religion in which the grace of God was connected with the confession of endless sins.
The voice of Paul and his faith in God's mighty keeping and saving power was seldom heard. The generations that heard the gospel of justification by faith hardly understood that sanctification is also by faith.
The power of a holy life for victory over the world and the flesh can only be found in an unceasing exercise of faith in the greatness of God's power in us. We should not be surprised that one of the great causes of feebleness in the Church today is the unbelief in the mighty power of Jesus.
(Chapter 18, pp.90-93, italics added)
Unceasing prayer is required to know this power, to believe it, and to receive it. Without prayer, we will regard the standard as an impractical one and continue in ignorance of what is offered for our acceptance.
Why is this mighty power of God working in us seldom taught and rarely experienced? Is the whole Church in error in resting content with far lower standard than what Paul's letter holds out to us? The answer to these questions will lead us to the root of the evil from which the Church is suffering.
We all know God gave Abraham to Israel as the great example of faith in Him. Abraham believed that God was able to raise the dead, both in his own case and in the sacrifice of Isaac.
Yet we know how Israel, from the beginning of God's dealings in Egypt, continually grieved Him by unbelief.
Their unbelief condemned them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Psalm 78 tells us their story and shows how they continually limited God by unbelief.
We know, too, how our Lord Jesus continually sought to cultivate faith in His disciples as the one condition for them seeing the power and the glory of God. He set Paul forth as a witness to the power of faith, not only in justification, but in the whole of our spiritual life and service.
Yet just as Israel, despite the example of Abraham, utterly failed in trusting God, so in the Church it became plain how little man knows to receive his salvation based on trust in God alone.
We know how terribly the Galatians failed. The letter to the Hebrews warns above everything against unbelief. The Church of the second century was brought into bondage under the law. The human heart naturally turns from grace and faith to the law and works.
In the lives of the Church fathers we find, with all their earnestness, how little they understood faith in the power of God as the one secret of a life pleasing to him. They developed a religion in which the grace of God was connected with the confession of endless sins.
The voice of Paul and his faith in God's mighty keeping and saving power was seldom heard. The generations that heard the gospel of justification by faith hardly understood that sanctification is also by faith.
The power of a holy life for victory over the world and the flesh can only be found in an unceasing exercise of faith in the greatness of God's power in us. We should not be surprised that one of the great causes of feebleness in the Church today is the unbelief in the mighty power of Jesus.
(Chapter 18, pp.90-93, italics added)
by Andrew Murray
Copyright © 1984
Copyright © 1984
by Whitaker House
Used by permission
Let's pray-
Father-God, in the name of Jesus I abide in You — and Your words remain in me and continue to live in my heart. Therefore, I ask whatever I will, and it shall be done for me. When I produce much fruit it brings great glory to You Father, in the name of Jesus, I commit to a new adventure in prayer and I will not give up. Jesus, You understand my weaknesses. So in Your name I come boldly to the throne of God to receive mercy and find grace to help when I need it.
There are times I do not know what I ought to pray for, especially when I’m praying for others. Holy Spirit, I submit to Your leadership and thank You for interceding for me with groans that words cannot express. Search my heart and reveal the mind of the Spirit to me because You intercede in accordance with God’s will. Therefore, I am assured and know that all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for my good and the good of others, because I love God and am called according to Your design and purpose.
I resist the temptation to be anxious about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition [definite requests] with thanksgiving I continue to make my wants known to You. Whatever I ask for in prayer, I believe that it is granted to me, and I will receive it. The effectual prayers of the righteous avail much, and I come with a heart of thanksgiving for You were made sin so that I could be made righteous. In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.
Prayers That Avail Much dailyprayers@prayers.org Germaine Copeland
Today's Bible verses-
God without faith. Anyone who wants to come
to him must believe that God exists and that
he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."
~ J. Wilbur Chapman- Secrets of Bible Study in Five Sentences
Study it through. Never begin a day without mastering a verse.
Pray it in. Never leave your Bible util the passage you have studied is apart of your very being.
Put it down. The thought God gives you, put it in the margin of your Bible or your notebook.
Work it out. Live the truth you get through all the hours of the day.
Pass it out. Seek to tell somebody what you have learned."
[Taken from Herald of His Coming newspaper, Vol 79, No 1 (937), p. 4. Used by permission.]
Words of wisdom-
Words of wisdom-
~ We gain confidence when we memorize God's Word. Maybe do it with someone. [Saturday's I give 5 you can work on with me]
~ Whatever holds you down and keeps you bound, is a secret demonic bondage. You can turn to the Stronghold of hope, Jesus. The Father wants us to be free! He has ordained that the blood of Jesus is for our freedom.
Today's popular post-
In my opinion this "JOY" only became
apparent in my life once I'd repented
of my sins, was born again and began
to understand who I was in CHRIST
JESUS.
apparent in my life once I'd repented
of my sins, was born again and began
to understand who I was in CHRIST
JESUS.
Bonnie Champagne: You may ask,
"WHAT IS THE KEY TO JOY. REAL GENUINE JOY?"
List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam NY church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Upcoming posts-
#38 Reasons for Power Failure
6th- Thursday's post by Andrew Murray
Consider for a Moment . . .
8th- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#39 Harmony Between God and Man
11th- Tuesday's post by Andrew Murray
#40 The Source of Spiritual Blessing
13th- Thursday's post by Andrew Murray
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