The Creative Power of God

[brakelite]

Genesis 1:1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth......
....9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
27 ¶ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Hebrews 1:1 ¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Colossians 1:9 ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Ephesians 1:15 ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 4:14 ¶ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 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,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness......
.....5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

From the above scriptures we may ascertain a number of points.

• The same power that created all things is directed toward them that believe.
• That power is made effective through God's word.
• That word is both written, and personal in the form of our Saviour. It is thus a living Word.
• It is the Word's purpose to re-create that which was ;lost through sin.

We can conclude therefore that the mighty creative power, that same power that established the universe with all its myriad of stars and unkown life-forms, and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; that same power that raised jesus from the dead; it is that vewry same mighty power that enebles men and women of God to be overcpomers. That power is inherent in the life of God's Son, Jesus, "for all power is given unto Me". As we abide in the vine, Jesus, that very power and life force flows through the branches and bears fruit. That same power makes us new creatures. Creatures fashiones and re-created in the image of our Creator. A creature of righteousness and true holiness.

So how do we, as mere mortal sinful fallen flesh;ly rebellious agents of the devil, attain to such an exulted status? By being born again by the Spirit of the Living God...by abiding in Christ...by believing in His word: His promises.

The righteousness of Christ is not a coat to cover our unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a priciple of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is the same as sanctification. Sanctification is complete surrender, giving oneself wholly and without reservation body, soul, and spirit to God. It is to love God without regard to self or self-interest.

See Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thess. 4:7; Levit. 20:7; Heb. 12:14; Eph. 5:25-27; Rom. 6:17-19; 1 Thess. 5:23,24; 2 Cor. 7:1.

The gospel is not a lifeless theory. It is not just forgiveness of sin. It is not jsut a "get out of jail free card". The gospel is a living vital mighty force that changes lives. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Philipians 1:9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Hebrews 12:1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

With all that mighty, creative transforming power of God promised and at our disposal, what excuse is there for any Christian to continue in sin? What ezcuse for not forsaking every known habit and defect of character not in harmony with the rightoeusness of Christ? What [ossible reason, in the face of all the evidence presented, is there for believeing that sin cannot be completely overcome?
Only one. That the power of sin is greater than the power of God. That the power of God. the power of the same Word that created all things, must bow and relent and pay homage to and admit defeat in the face of human lust and passion.

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein

Psalm 24:1 ¶ « A Psalm of David. » The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

 

[Brother Paul]

I am a little confused by this? Is there a particular sin you continue in? Does that mean all do continue in some sin...perhaps the one that easily besets us (perhaps being different for each one)? Do not sin but IF you do, know that you have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ...therefore confess it (agree with Him about it calling your good, good, and your evil, evil) and He is just and faithful to forgive it and cleanse you...

Now I do know some who have alleged to have come to Christ that continue in sin (there has been no transformation) but many who do not (not that it does not happen at some times or another...Romans 7)

So, not being contrary but I humbly admit I am not getting the point. Are those who say they are Christs who live sinful lifestyles without contrition really saved? I do not know, I am not their judge, but Jesus said you shall know them by their fruit.

In His love

Brother Paul

 

[brakelite]

So while you aren't disagreeing with what I wrote, you are wondering why I wrote it? Because its too obvious? Is that the reason for your confusion? Stay around this forum a while longer and you will understand. Though it may be obvious to us, that bearing fruit is a natural result of abiding in the Vine, there are some who would seem to disagree. Suggesting that sin can and should be overcome to many is like speaking a foreign language. They automatically link such an idea to idealism and legalism. My post above I believe refutes such claims.

 

[Brother Paul]

So while you aren't disagreeing with what I wrote, you are wondering why I wrote it? Because its too obvious? Is that the reason for your confusion? Stay around this forum a while longer and you will understand. Though it may be obvious to us, that bearing fruit is a natural result of abiding in the Vine, there are some who would seem to disagree. Suggesting that sin can and should be overcome to many is like speaking a foreign language. They automatically link such an idea to idealism and legalism. My post above I believe refutes such claims.

Indeed, I must have misunderstood you. My apologies! No, we must not sin, and we must strive not to sin, but my point was one cannot achieve a sinless perfection this side of glory. If any man says He has no sin in His life (this verse 8 is present tense making us a liar as opposed to the past tense in verse 10 by which we make God a liar) he is deceived and the truth is not in him.
I assume you are not saying you or anyone you know has reached this crescendo?

With all that mighty, creative transforming power of God promised and at our disposal, what excuse is there for any Christian to continue in sin?

None! We are without excuse. Thank God for the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.

What ezcuse for not forsaking every known habit and defect of character not in harmony with the rightoeusness of Christ?

Clearly this should be our goal (it’s a form of running the race). Thank God that because of His great love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What [ossible reason, in the face of all the evidence presented, is there for believeing that sin cannot be completely overcome?

Because God’s word indicates it will not by any person other than Christ and we are IN HIM.

Only one. That the power of sin is greater than the power of God (God forbid!). That the power of God. the power of the same Word that created all things, must bow and relent and pay homage to and admit defeat in the face of human lust and passion. (God forbid!)

No…the man who He loves so much is totally unworthy and barely capable of turning to Him when He makes Himself known or convicts us through the Spirit or the word…Christ did not bow to it or pay homage to it…He destroyed sin, sickness, and death, by the blood of His cross and by His bodily resurrection from the dead (and this WILL BE fully actualized at the parousia). So man should and must do all they can do trusting in God to do what is what He wants from us as we are not our own any longer. That which He began in the Spirit would He then end in the flesh? Again I say...God forbid! It is the work of the word and the Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us. Only God can truly make something Holy (set apart for His purpose). The closer we as individuals get to our Father the more aware we are of our utter unworthiness and how great is such an incomprehensible love that He has for us...some are just more honest in humility than others.

Overcoming this sin or that sin is merely reformation not repentance. Repentance is much, much, more than an action, it is an attitude...a humble and contrite heart He will not despise. Repentance is a way of life for the transformed soul...a continuous battle...so when you reach your sinless perfection let me know but as far as I know only Jesus achieved this and yet He being in me the hole of glory I know one day I shall be like Him, in the mean time I trust, I rely on, and I cleave to Him who is my only hope of salvation. One comes and says "Hev mercy on me oh Lord as I am a sinner" and another points and says "I am glad I am not like him"...which one does Jesus say gets into the Kingdom? There are two sons...one who did everything his father said and the other who though he went rogue returns in shame and contrition...does the father love one above the other? Does one merit more favor than the other? Both are sons my brother and neither is the enemy of the father...if one has less to be forgiven for and another much, which will love the more when forgiven?

So if you find fault with anything I have said here, please feel free to point out the error, but will I say that if I or you or all Christendom is incapable (save by His grace) of overcoming all sin in their life this side of glory, that God is somehow not powerful enough to accomplish this? Can I agree with this knowing what He has done just in my life? He is capable if it is His will I assure you. But if He does not, this does not mean He is incapable? Is He less or inadequate because He makes it so only by Christ alone and by His finished work? Nay! I say even more gracious proving greater love and grater capability. But feel free to disagree my brother...siblings do not always see eye to eye.

In His name

Brother Paul