Future Grace / Battling Unbelief, Session 01

Foundational Passions, Part 1

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(This seminar is based on the book Future Grace. The video was released in conjunction with an adaptation of Future Grace titled Battling Unbelief.)

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See the rest of this seminar:

• Session 2: Foundational Passions, Part 2
• Session 3: Is It Biblical? Part 1
• Session 4: Is It Biblical? Part 2
  
• Session 5: How Does It Work for Holiness? Part 1
• Session 6: How Does It Work for Holiness? Part 2
• Session 7: How Does It Work Against Sin? Part 1
• Session 8: How Does It Work Against Sin? Part 2
• Session 9: How Does It Work Against Sin? Part 3
• Session 10: How Does It Work Against Sin? Part 4
  

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Seminar Notes

1. Why Does It Matter?
2. Is it Biblical?
3. How Does It Work for Holiness?
4. How Does It Work Against Sin?

1. Why Does It Matter?
The Passions Behind Faith in Future Grace

Passion #1: A Passion for the Supremacy ofGod

Bethlehem's MissionStatement

We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in allthings for the joy of all peoples.

Why? God's Zeal for the Supremacy ofGod

God is infinitely committed to preserving and displaying hisglory in all that he does from creation to redemption. And in thiscommitment we see his zeal and love and satisfaction in his glory.The person that opened my eyes to this Biblical truth was JonathanEdwards in his amazing book, Dissertation Concerning the Endfor which God Created the World. There he piles text on text— hundreds of them — to show that God exults in thedisplay of his glory in all that he does from beginning to end.

Jonathan Edwards'Conclusion

For it appears, that all that is ever spoken of in the Scripture as an ultimate end of God's works, is included in that one phrase, the glory of God; which is the name by which the ultimate end of God's works is most commonly called in Scripture; and seems most aptly to signify the thing (Paragraph 264 in The End for Which God Created the World).

Three Key Biblical Texts to Show God'sPassion for His Glory

Isaiah 48:9-11

9 For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sakeof my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut youoff. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not like silver; I havetried you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For my own sake, formy own sake, I do it, for how should my name beprofaned? My glory I will not give to another.

Romans 1:18-23

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against allungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth inunrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God isevident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For sincethe creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternalpower and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understoodthrough what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 Foreven though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or givethanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and theirfoolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they becamefools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for animage in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footedanimals and crawling creatures.

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge ofGod! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became hiscounselor? 35 Or who has first given to him that it might be paidback to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him areall things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen

Preliminary Texts to Show that Living ByFaith in Future Grace Highlights and Magnifies the GloriousAll-Sufficiency of God and so Expresses Our Passion for theSupremacy of God in All Things
(By Faith in His Grace, We Get theHelp, He Gets the Glory)

Act 17:25

God served by human hands, as though He needed anything, sinceHe Himself gives to all life and breath and all things.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,and to give His life a ransom for many.

1 Peter 4:11

Whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which Godsupplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through JesusChrist, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.Amen.

Romans 4:20

With respect to the promise of God, [Abraham] did not waver inunbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.

Psalm 50:15

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and youwill glorify Me.

Passion # 2 : A Passion for Joy

Is this a Biblical Passion?

Psalm 100:1-2

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Serve the LORD withgladness; come before Him with joyful singing.

Psalm 32:11

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones, and shoutfor joy, all you who are upright in heart.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for sothey persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those whoweep.

Philippians 3:1; 4:4

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lordalways; again I will say, rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice always.

1 Peter 4:13

But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keepon rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you mayrejoice with exultation.

Is Passion #1 at Odds with Passion#2?

Jonathan Edwards' answer:

God in seeking his glory seeks the good of his creatures, because the emanation of his glory implies the happiness of his creatures. And in communicating his fullness for them, he does it for himself, because their good, which he seeks, is so much in union and communion with himself. God is their good. Their excellency and happiness is nothing but the emanation and expression of God's glory. God, in seeking their glory and happiness, seeks himself, and in seeking himself, i.e. himself diffused...he seeks their glory and happiness (The End for Which God Created the World, paragraph 114)

Thus it is easy to conceive how God should seek the good of the creature even his happiness, from a supreme regard to himself; as his happiness arises from the creature's exercising a supreme regard to God in beholding God's glory, in esteeming and loving it, and rejoicing in it (The End for Which God Created the World, paragraph 277).

God's respect to the creature's good, and his respect to himself, is not a divided respect; but both are united in one, as the happiness of the creature aimed at is happiness in union with himself (The End for Which God Created the World, paragraph 278).

My answer:

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied inhim.

The chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying himforever.

One aim of this course is to show that living by faith in futuregrace is the way of life that unites passions #1 and #2.

Passion #3: A Passion for PracticalHoliness

Why Do We Have a Passion forHoliness?

It is the only pathway to eternal pleasure in God. No holiness,no heaven.

What do I Mean by PracticalHoliness?

• Obedience to God's Word in the everyday life.
• The fruit of the Holy Spirit.
• Genuine love for other people.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for oneanother, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so thatHe may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before ourGod and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all Hissaints.

Key Texts to Show that PracticalHoliness is Necessary for Final Salvation

Hebrews 12:14

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification (holiness)without which no one will see the Lord.

John 5:28-29

Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all whoare in the tombs shall hear His voice, 29 and shall come forth;those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life,those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection ofjudgment.

Galatians 6:8-9

For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reapcorruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from theSpirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not lose heart in doinggood, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being byitself.

1 John 2:4

Theone who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keepHis commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethrenbeloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginningfor salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in thetruth.

Matthew 6:15

But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgiveyour transgressions.

Romans 8:13

If you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but ifby the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, youwill live.

1 John 3:14

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because welove the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

1 John 1:7

If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we havefellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Soncleanses us from all sin.

The Problem Raised by the Necessity ofHoliness

If we are justified once for all by grace through faith apartfrom works at the point of true conversion, then how can our finalsalvation be conditional upon a transformed life of holiness?

Romans 3:28

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart fromworks of the Law.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law butthrough faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in ChristJesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not bythe works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh willbe justified.

The Solution Given by the WestminsterConfession, Chapter XI

(1) Those whom God effectually calleth he also freelyjustifieth; not by infusing righteousness into them, but bypardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their personsas righteous: not for anything wrought in them, or done by them,but for Christ's sake alone . . . (2) Faith, thus receiving andresting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument ofjustification; yet is it not alone in the person justified, but isever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is not deadfaith, but worketh by love.

In other words, we are justified by faith alone,but that faith never remains alone. Therefore, justifying faith isalways and inevitably accompanied by good works.

So the crucial question now is:Why does practical holiness (i.e. love) inevitably accompanyjustifying faith?

Preliminary answer: faith itself is the agent of the works. Theydo not merely accompany faith. They come through or by faith. Faithis the agent that produces the works. And it does so necessarily.Thus the works are evidence of true faith, and are not the means ofour salvation the way faith is. They are the evidence that faith isreal and thus are necessary for final salvation, though not theground of it, as the death and righteousness of Christ are, or themeans of it, as faith is.

Thomas Watson's way of putting it: using the word "repentance"for the practical change in life that has to happen for forgivenessof sin to be given, Watson says, "Not that repentance merits theforgiveness of sin. By repentance we please God, but we do notsatisfy him. Repentance is a condition, not a cause. God will notpardon for repentance, nor yet without it" (Body ofDivinity, p. 557).

Analogy of How God will Assess Works atthe Judgment (1 Kings 3:16-27)

Recall the story of how two harlots brought a baby to kingSolomon, each claiming that the baby was hers. They asked kingSolomon to act as judge between them. In his extraordinary wisdom,he said that a sword should be brought, and that the baby should bedivided, with half given to the one woman and half to the other.The true mother cried out, "O, my lord, give her the child, and byno means kill it" (v. 26). Solomon said, "Give the first woman theliving child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother" (v.26).

What was Solomon looking for? He was not looking for adeed that would earn the child, or would create arelationship that did not already exist. He was looking for a deedthat would demonstrate what was already true, namely, thatthe child was truly this woman's child by birth. That is the wayGod looks at our deeds on the judgment day. He is not looking fordeeds that purchase our pardon in his judgment hall. He is lookingfor deeds that prove we are already enjoying the fruits of ourpardon. He is looking for the practical evidences of our living byfaith in future grace. The purchase of our salvation was the bloodof Jesus, sufficient once for all to cover all our sins. We do notadd to the worth of his atoning death or of his righteousnessimputed to us by God (which we call justification). But the meansby which we receive this gift is faith (= being satisfied with allthat God is for us in Jesus). That kind of faith frees us fromlifelong slavery to the fear of death and works through love.

Therefore, faith is not only the means ofjustification, it is also the agent ofsanctification.

How, Then, does Faith Do this Great Work ofSanctification?

Preliminary Answer: faith severs the root of sin. Sin has powerby promising a better tomorrow (or at least a better this evening)and by promising superior satisfactions. But true faith is of sucha nature that it severs the root of sin by embracing a betterfuture and providing a deeper satisfaction. The future grace of Godis the deeper satisfaction and the better future. When you live byfaith in future grace, the power of sin is broken by the power of asuperior satisfaction and a better future.

Our Three Passions Raise Three Questions

1. What kind of life will magnify the supremacy of God most?

2. What kind of life will forever satisfy the deep longings ofour soul?

3. What kind of life will produce a practical holiness that isnecessary for final salvation, but do it in such a way that ourjustification is still by grace alone, through faith alone, basedon Christ's death and imputed righteousness alone?

Our answer to all three questions is: living by faith in futuregrace.

2. Is It Biblical?
The Foundations of Sanctifying Power

Faith is the Great Worker

1 Thessalonians 1:3

[I] Constantly bear in mind your work of faith and labor of loveand steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presenceof our God and Father.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

To this end also we pray for you always that our God may countyou worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodnessand the work of faith with power.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethrenbeloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginningfor salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in thetruth.

Acts 26:18

[I send you] to open their eyes so that they may turn fromdarkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in orderthat they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance amongthose who have been sanctified by faith in Me.

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcisionmeans anything, but faith working through love.

1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and agood conscience and a sincere faith.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to aplace which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out,not knowing where he was going.

Romans 9:31-32

Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive atthat law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith,but as though it were by works. They stumbled over thestumbling stone.

The Grace We Have Faith in is Not OnlyGod's Disposition to Save the Unworthy, But the Power of GodExerted to bless Us in the Future with All that WeNeed

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward medid not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yetnot I, but the grace of God with me.

1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord JesusChrist.

1 Corinthians 16:23

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

2 Corinthians 8:1-3

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the graceof God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that ina great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deeppoverty overflowedin the wealth of their liberality. 3 For Itestify that according to their ability, and beyond their abilitythey gave of their own accord.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that alwayshaving all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance forevery good deed.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, forpower is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I willrather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ maydwell in me.

Acts 4:33

And with great power the apostles were giving witness to theresurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon themall.

Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing greatwonders and signs among the people.

Therefore, though grace was given to us in eternity past (2Timothy 1:9) and was the disposition of God that moved him to sendhis son to die for us (Romans 3:24), it is also a power exerted byGod in the future to meet all our needs. On this we rely. On thiswe depend and trust. Faith is not just faith in the past events butthe future grace of God.

Faith Is Future-Oriented, It Trusts in Future Grace

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, theconviction of things not seen.

Romans 4:16-24

For this reason it is by faith, that it mightbe in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may becertain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of theLaw, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is thefather of us all, 17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONSHAVE I MADE YOU") in the sight of Him whom he believed,even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into beingthat which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, inorder that he might become a father of many nations, according tothat which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." 19 Andwithout becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now asgood as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and thedeadness of Sarah's womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise ofGod, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, givingglory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what He had promised,He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TOHIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written,that it was reckoned to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom itwill be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus ourLord from the dead.

Colossians 1:22-23

He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, inorder to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyondreproach — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmlyestablished and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of thegospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creationunder heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

John 14:1

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also inMe.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of ouraffliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdenedexcessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even oflife; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves sothat we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises thedead.

Therefore, faith is future-oriented and embraces a futuregoverned by God's grace and is therefore superior to the futurepromised by sin.

The Function of Bygone Grace: SolidGround Under Faith in Future Grace

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for usall, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Romans 5:9-10

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shallbe saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For ifwhile we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the deathof His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved byHis life.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed throughthe heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with ourweaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as weare, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near withconfidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy andmay find grace to help in time of need.

Faith Is a Being Satisfied WithHeartfelt Valuing and Treasuring All that God Promises to be for Usin Jesus, Not Just an Assent to Truths (Past orFuture)

Philippians 3:8-9

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of thesurpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish inorder that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not havinga righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but thatwhich is through faith in Christ, the righteousness whichcomes from God on the basis of faith.

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Meshall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 7:37-38

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesusstood and cried out, saying, "If any man is thirsty, let him cometo Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said,'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'"

John 3:19-20

And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world,and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deedswere evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesnot come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But hewho practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may bemanifested as having been wrought in God.

John 5:40

You are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.

John 6:37

All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one whocomes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

1 John 5:3-4

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; andHis commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of Godovercomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome theworld — our faith.

Therefore faith includes love for God in the sense of delight inhim and valuing him and treasuring him above all else. And so faithis a being satisfied in all that God is for us—and promisesto be for us in Jesus. Therefore faith severs the root of sin whichis the promise sin makes for a better future and a bettersatisfaction.

What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit inEnabling Obedience?

Galatians 5:22-23a

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcisionmeans anything, but faith working through love.

Galatians 3:5

Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and worksmiracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearingwith faith?

Why Does the Spirit Unite Himself toFaith as a Way of Bringing about the Works of Love?

The answer seems to be that the Holy Spirit loves to glorify theall-satisfying dependability of Christ and his Word (John 16:14 "Hewill glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will discloseit to you"). If the Holy Spirit simply caused acts of lovein the human heart without any clear, on-going causal connectionbetween love, on the one hand, and faith in Christ's promises, onthe other hand, then it would not be plain that Christ'sall-satisfying dependability is honored through love. But theSpirit is utterly committed to getting glory for Jesus. Therefore,he keeps himself quietly beneath the surface, as it were, and putsforward "hearing with faith" as the conscious cause of love.

1 Peter 1:3-6a

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whoaccording to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to aliving hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishableand undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvationready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatlyrejoice,

John 7:37-39

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesusstood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come toMe and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said,'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."' 39But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Himwere to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given,becauseJesus was not yet glorified.

What Is the Role of Gratitude in theMotivation of Obedience?

Nowhere in the Bible is gratitude connected explicitly withobedience as a motivation. We do not find the phrase "out ofgratitude" or "in gratitude" for acts toward God.

Christian obedience is called the "work of faith," never of the"work of gratitude" (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians1:11).

We find expressions like "live by faith" (Galatians 2:20) and"walk by faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7), but never any expression like"live by gratitude" or "walk by gratitude."

We find the expression "faith working through love" (Galatians5:6), but not "gratitude working through love."

We read that "the goal of our instruction is love from a pureheart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5),but not "from sincere gratitude."

We read that sanctification is by "faith in the truth" (2Thessalonians 2:13), not that it is "by gratitude for thetruth."

We read that "faith without works is dead" (Jas. 2:26), but notthat "gratitude without works is dead."

And when Jesus deals with the disciples' hesitancy to seek thekingdom first because they were worried about food and clothing, hedid not say, "O men of little gratitude," he said, "O men of littlefaith" (Matthew 6:30).

Faith in future grace, not gratitude, is the source of radical,risk-taking, kingdom-seeking obedience.

The temptation to say: "God has done so much for me, what can Ido for him?" is very great. But it is very dangerous for threereasons:

1. We can never pay God back — not one penny's worth — because every move we make in love and holiness is a move that God himself supplies (1 Corinthians 15:10), and so we are simply going deeper in debt to grace by our obedience, not paying any of the debt off. A better way to think is to say grace pays our debts to God which sin creates.

2. If we could succeed in paying God back for all he does for us, or for any of it, to that degree we would nullify grace and turn it into a business transaction. Grace is free or it is not grace. Grace does not establish an amortization schedule of obedience payments.

3. Thinking of obedience as empowered by gratitude directs our attention backward to bygone grace rather than forward to future grace. In this way the debtor's ethic tends to divert us from the wealth of grace yet to be known and distracts us from the very power of obedience we need — future grace. You can't run your car on gratitude for yesterday's gas.

Therefore, Our Passion for HolinessInvolves a Fight for Faith in Future Grace. We Battle Against Sinby Battling against Unbelief.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life towhich you were called, and you made the good confession in thepresence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I havekept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crownof righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will awardto me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who haveloved His appearing.

2 Corinthians 1:24

Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with youfor your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

Philippians 1:25

And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continuewith you all for your progress and joy in the faith.

3. How Does It Work for Holiness?
The Origins of Radical Love

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcisionmeans anything, but faith working through love.

1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and agood conscience and a sincere faith.

Matthew 5:43-44

You have heard that it was said, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORand hate your enemy." 44 But I say to you, love your enemies andpray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake ofrighteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed areyou when people insult you and persecute you, and falselysay all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and beglad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way theypersecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 7:7-12

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asksreceives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will beopened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks fora loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he willnot give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know howto give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Fatherwho is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! 12 Ineverything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them totreat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 14:12-14

And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, Whenyou give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or yourbrothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they mayalso invite you in return and that will be your repayment.13 But when you give a reception, invite the poor,the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed, since they do not have the meansto repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of therighteous.

Luke 12:32-33

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosengladly to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and giveto charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, anunfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor mothdestroys.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, theconviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 10:32-34

But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, youendured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made apublic spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly bybecoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showedsympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of yourproperty, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possessionand a lasting one.

Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called theson of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to endureill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passingpleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greaterriches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to thereward.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnessessurrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sinwhich so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance therace that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the authorand perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured thecross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand ofthe throne of God.

Hebrews 13:12-14

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people throughHis own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out toHim outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do nothave a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which isto come.

4. How Does It Work Against Sin?
Battling the Forms of Unbelief

Battling the Unbelief of Anxiety

Definition: The loss of confident security in God owingto feelings of uneasiness or foreboding that something harmful isgoing to happen.

Battling Anxiety in General

Matthew 6:25-34

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life,as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor foryour body, as to what you will put on. Is not life morethan food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds ofthe air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, andyet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worthmuch more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add asingle hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried aboutclothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do nottoil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon inall his glory clothed himself like oneof these. 30 But if God soclothes the grass of the field, which is alive today andtomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much moreclothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then,saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What willwe wear for clothing?" 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all thesethings; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all thesethings. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, andall these things will be added to you. 34 So do not worry abouttomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enoughtrouble of its own.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For Hiscompassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyondwhat you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way ofescape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Deuteronomy 33:25

As thy days, so shall thy strength be(KJV).

Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer andsupplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known toGod. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Battling Anxiety About Being Useless

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, alwaysabounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is notin vain in the Lord.

Isaiah 55:9-11

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are Myways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do notreturn there without watering the earth And making it bear andsprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will notreturn to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, Andwithout succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Battling Anxiety about FeelingWeak

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, forpower is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I willrather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ maydwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, withinsults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, forChrist's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Battling Anxiety about DifficultDecisions

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shouldgo; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 25:8-9

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners inthe way. 9 He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches thehumble His way.

Battling Anxiety about Opponents

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is forus, who is against us?

Battling Anxiety aboutAfflictions

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivershim out of them all.

Romans 5:3-5

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 andperseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 andhope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been pouredout within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given tous.

Battling Anxiety aboutAging

Isaiah 46:3-4

Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the houseof Israel, you who have been borne by Me from birth and have beencarried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I will bethe same, and even to your graying years I will bearyou! I have done it, and I will carryyou; and I will bear you and I will deliveryou.

Battling Anxiety about Not Perseveringto the End in Faith

Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He whobegan a good work in you will perfect it until the day of ChristJesus.

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near toGod through Him, since He always lives to make intercession forthem.

Jeremiah 32:40

I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will notturn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Mein their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.

Battling Anxiety aboutDeath

Romans 14:7-9

For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies forhimself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, wedie for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are theLord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that Hemight be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Battling the Unbelief of Covetousness

Definition: Desiring something not for God's glory orin such a way that we lose our contentment in God.

Is Covetousness Idolatry?

Colossians 3:5

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead toimmorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, whichamounts to idolatry.

Exodus 20:3 (First of Ten Commandments)

You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:17 (Last of Ten Commandments)

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covetyour neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant orhis ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Hebrews 13:5 -6

Make sure that your character is free from the love ofmoney, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said,"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," 6 so thatwe confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches inglory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content inwhatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humblemeans, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and everycircumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and goinghungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can doall things through Him who strengthens me.

Gracious Warnings about the Dangers ofDesiring Money and Things

Abundance of Possessions is Not Life

Luke 12:15

Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard againstevery form of greed; for not even when one has anabundance does his life consist of his possessions."

Desire for Riches Chokes the Word

Mark 4:19

The worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, andthe desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and itbecomes unfruitful.

Loving Money Spans All Kinds of Sins

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and someby longing for it have wandered away from the faith and piercedthemselves with many griefs.

Desiring to be Rich Destroys the Soul

1 Timothy 6:9

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snareand many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin anddestruction.

Money Is No Final Help in Death

1 Timothy 6:7

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot takeanything out of it either.

Pray for a Heart for the Truth and Not for Money

Psalm 119:36

Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to gain.

Battling the Unbelief of Lust

Definition: Pursuing illicit thoughtsor images in the mind with a view to stimulating sexual pleasures- with or without external stimuli.

Lust Grows out of Suppressing theKnowledge of God and His Promises

Ephesians 4:22

Lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordancewith the lusts of deceit.

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lustswhich were yours in your ignorance.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5

Each of you [should] know how to possess his own vessel insanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentileswho do not know God.

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine powerhas granted to us everything pertaining to lifeand godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us byHis own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to usHis precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you maybecome partakers of the divine nature, having escaped thecorruption that is in the world by lust.

It Is a Lie that Losing Sex Is LosingSomething Essential

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace andglory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walkuprightly.

The Gain through Purity isUnspeakable

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Unfought Lust Will Destroy theSoul

Matthew 5:28-29 (See Future Grace, p. 329)

I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust forher has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 "Ifyour right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it fromyou; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of yourbody, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

1 Peter 2:11

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain fromfleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

Luke 8:14

The seed which fell among the thorns, these are theones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are chokedwith worries and riches and pleasures of this life, andbring no fruit to maturity.

Be Killing Sin Or It Will Be Killing You(John Owen)

Romans 8:12-13

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, tolive according to the flesh — for if you are living accordingto the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting todeath the deeds of the body, you will live.

Battling the Unbelief of Bitterness and an UnforgivingSpirit

Definition: Holding a grudge or savoring the thought ofgetting even with no true desire for the salvation andreconciliation of the offending person.

A Crucial Consideration of BygoneGrace

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

The Blessing You Will Receive Cuts theNeed for Vengeance

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecuteyou, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for inthe same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1 Peter 3:9 (compare 2:21)

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving ablessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that youmight inherit a blessing.

The Promise of God's Vengeance ReleasesYou from that Role

1 Peter 2:21-23

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ alsosuffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in Hissteps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HISMOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return;while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting to Himwho judges righteously.

Romans 12:19

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for thewrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, IWILL REPAY," says the Lord.

In the End There Will Be NoUnrecompensed Sins

They will all be duly punished, either in the cross (Isaiah53:6) or in hell (2 Thessalonians 7-10). We may leave that finallyto God.

Battling the Unbelief of Impatience

Definition: Murmuring againstProvidence when we are forced to walk the path of obedience in anunplanned place or an unplanned pace. ("Do all things withoutgrumbling or disputing" Philippians 2:14.)

Examples of Extraordinary Patience andPerseverance (Future Grace, p. 171)

1. The story of Joseph

Genesis 45:7

God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in theearth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

Genesis 50:20

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant itfor good in order to bring about this present result, to preservemany people alive.

2. Benjamin and Annie Kinkead Warfield

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for goodto those who love God, to those who are called according toHis purpose.

B. B. Warfield: "He will so govern all things that we shall reaponly good from what befalls us." (Faith and Life, p.204)

God Works While We PatientlyWait

Isaiah 64:4

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who works for the one whowaits for Him.

Jeremiah 32:40-41

I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will notturn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Mein their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. 41 I willrejoice over them to do them good . . . with all My heart and withall My soul.

Isaiah 30:18

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore Hewaits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God ofjustice; how blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heardmy cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out ofthe miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footstepsfirm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man isdecaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 Formomentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weightof glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at thethings which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; forthe things which are seen are temporal, but the things which arenot seen are eternal.

Colossians 1:11

[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to Hisglorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness andpatience; joyously

William Cowper's Hymn, "God Moves in aMysterious Way"

God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
and works his sovereign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.

His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
©Public Domain

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