Is it safe to say that faith is immeasurable? We either have it or we don’t. Also since we are “in Christ” do we not have His faith? Part of the “Gift”.
I’m glad you got this answered! It’s one of those questions that can be self-defeating just by asking it. With our eyes on Jesus, our faith is everything it needs to be!
Trust more in God's ability to lead you than in your own ability to follow. Trust more in God's ability to sanctify you than in your own ability to live a holy life. Trust him as your Good Shepherd, and rejoice that we get to be dumb sheep who simply know his voice (see John 10:4)
The paragraph in Chapter 6 that starts with, " … if there is something in your life that is "off limits" to God, …" was surprising - shocking - given the wonderful message the book has so far conveyed. That part has a "Lordship salvation" ring to it.
Reading that gave rise to conviction in me just as it does in the verses in Matthew 7 you quoted. I doubt I'm alone in this. All Christians on earth must have multiple vices or "off limit" areas we wish to do away with (repent of) but cannot bring ourselves to let go. Some are on the surface and visible. Others not so visible. We're not perfect yet.
Is there another way of stating your message in this paragraph?
You’re most definitely not alone in this. I would say most Christians struggle to understand how they can be totally confident in their salvation whilst still fearing the Lord and vice versa.
To help clarify, I’d like to address your comment below:
“All Christians on earth must have multiple vices or "off limit" areas we wish to do away with (repent of) but cannot bring ourselves to let go. Some are on the surface and visible. Others not so visible.”
I think we need to make a distinction between the way we feel vs. what we choose to set our minds on. It seems to me that you’re placing an emphasis on feelings. For instance, you may feel that you still desire to [insert sin], and you may even find yourself continuously struggling with that sin and falling into temptation. As a result of this, you might reason that this area of your life is “off limits” to God, or that you haven’t repented. But then you’d be judging yourself according to the flesh, which is a mistake.
The real question is, in this very moment, can you look to God in your heart and say, “God, I desire to overcome this, and I intend to do so with your help.”?
In this case, it isn’t off limits to God. You have repented. It doesn’t matter what you feel. It matters that you’re coming into agreement with him as he reveals his will to you.
Truthfully, I can say before God that I desire wholeheartedly to obey him. I don’t always feel that way, and I don’t always even know what that means. And I’m certainly still growing. But if Jesus were standing before me in the flesh and told me to do something, there is literally nothing I wouldn’t do. That’s not maturity; that’s just the definition of being a Christian.
There may be more to work through here, so please tell me if you still feel unresolved. I think I can help you make sense of what I’m trying to say.
Never mind, question answered in first part of chapter 7!!!! I can’t stop reading!!!
Is it safe to say that faith is immeasurable? We either have it or we don’t. Also since we are “in Christ” do we not have His faith? Part of the “Gift”.
I’m glad you got this answered! It’s one of those questions that can be self-defeating just by asking it. With our eyes on Jesus, our faith is everything it needs to be!
Trust more in God's ability to lead you than in your own ability to follow. Trust more in God's ability to sanctify you than in your own ability to live a holy life. Trust him as your Good Shepherd, and rejoice that we get to be dumb sheep who simply know his voice (see John 10:4)
Absolutely 😁
Honestly walk in faith. Awareness of what Kingdom I'm living in!
The paragraph in Chapter 6 that starts with, " … if there is something in your life that is "off limits" to God, …" was surprising - shocking - given the wonderful message the book has so far conveyed. That part has a "Lordship salvation" ring to it.
Reading that gave rise to conviction in me just as it does in the verses in Matthew 7 you quoted. I doubt I'm alone in this. All Christians on earth must have multiple vices or "off limit" areas we wish to do away with (repent of) but cannot bring ourselves to let go. Some are on the surface and visible. Others not so visible. We're not perfect yet.
Is there another way of stating your message in this paragraph?
Hey brother (or sister?)! GREAT question…
You’re most definitely not alone in this. I would say most Christians struggle to understand how they can be totally confident in their salvation whilst still fearing the Lord and vice versa.
To help clarify, I’d like to address your comment below:
“All Christians on earth must have multiple vices or "off limit" areas we wish to do away with (repent of) but cannot bring ourselves to let go. Some are on the surface and visible. Others not so visible.”
I think we need to make a distinction between the way we feel vs. what we choose to set our minds on. It seems to me that you’re placing an emphasis on feelings. For instance, you may feel that you still desire to [insert sin], and you may even find yourself continuously struggling with that sin and falling into temptation. As a result of this, you might reason that this area of your life is “off limits” to God, or that you haven’t repented. But then you’d be judging yourself according to the flesh, which is a mistake.
The real question is, in this very moment, can you look to God in your heart and say, “God, I desire to overcome this, and I intend to do so with your help.”?
In this case, it isn’t off limits to God. You have repented. It doesn’t matter what you feel. It matters that you’re coming into agreement with him as he reveals his will to you.
Truthfully, I can say before God that I desire wholeheartedly to obey him. I don’t always feel that way, and I don’t always even know what that means. And I’m certainly still growing. But if Jesus were standing before me in the flesh and told me to do something, there is literally nothing I wouldn’t do. That’s not maturity; that’s just the definition of being a Christian.
There may be more to work through here, so please tell me if you still feel unresolved. I think I can help you make sense of what I’m trying to say.