God's Grace vs. God's Favor and Blessing

prass1

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I’ve been in discussions lately concerning God’s favor and blessing. I have found that many believers confuse God’s grace with God’s favor.

What is grace? Grace is undeserved favor or kindness. All believers are entitled to God’s grace, but only a handful will receive God’s Favor or blessing. Why is that? It is an issue of carnality and spirituality. God will not bless a carnal believer.

It is like receiving peas or steak on your plate. It seems that most believers are satisfied or content with peas. Why is that? One reason is they are confusing it with God’s blessing. They believe that peas are all they are entitled to. Yet, God has steak, lobster and chicken waiting for them.

God’s grace is a wonderful thing, but he is not satisfied with just serving you peas. He wants to serve you the good stuff – he wants to bless you abundantly. It is his nature to love and bless – REWARDS is what he has for those who walk in love. For those of you who are parents, you should understand this concept.

People – He is a loving Father who owns everything and can do anything. The favor, gifts and blessings he has for you are almost endless.

By remaining in a state which only warrants His grace, you are depriving Him of something he loves to do – blessing you.

It is his hearts desire to abundantly bless each and every one of us. What is the nature of that blessing – how does God bless?

These are the blessings that he has for you:

Perfect health – not just good health, but perfect health.

Material and financial wealth – Including enough money that you can be a blessing to many.

Family unity – God will fix your family problems.

Spiritual gifts – Incredible gifts of the spirit – actually walking in the Power of God as Elijah did.

God’s favor in everything you do.

Those who mature spiritually, those who mature in God in a spiritual realm will receive all those blessings. It is promised! AND, these blessings will also fall on your entire families and close friends.

Some people may say they don’t want all of that, but God STILL wants to give it to them. Will you continue to deprive your Father of blessing you?

Some will say that money is the root of all evil. In the hands of a carnal man, yes it is. BUT in the hands of a spiritual man it becomes a blessing to many. That is why God will not bless a carnal believer.

Many in the church are becoming theologically fat while remaining as spiritual infants. Please consider taking the next step in you growth. Reach out for God’s blessing. It is all about walking in love always. It is not initially easy, but any of you can do it.

Being spiritually mature is being like Jesus – walking in love. It is what God wants for all of us.
 

prass1

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You have some great truths prass!
But i am trying to understand why you say that
if you're "spiritually mature" this or that.

Thanks
When a person grows spiritually, there is a process he goes thru that will bring him closer to God. During that process there is a change in the nature of the believer where the believer will end up sharing the nature of God. Also, thru the spiritual connection, the believer will receive a great wisdom which will bring him into a place where he will actually think like God. God want's all of us to be like him - What good and loving Father would not want that? That can only be accomplished thru spiritual growth. Theological growth is knowledge. Spiritual growth is the manifestation of that knowledge into a new nature. A spiritually mature person is a person who has reached the pinnacle of the perfect relationship.
 
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prass1

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When a person grows spiritually, there is a process he goes thru that will bring him closer to God. During that process there is a change in the nature of the believer where the believer will end up sharing the nature of God. Also, thru the spiritual connection, the believer will receive a great wisdom which will bring him into a place where he will actually think like God. God want's all of us to be like him - What good and loving Father would not want that? That can only be accomplished thru spiritual growth. Theological growth is knowledge. Spiritual growth is the manifestation of that knowledge into a new nature. A spiritually mature person is a person who has reached the pinnacle of the perfect relationship.
Sunlover1 - Did you get this?
 
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sunlover1

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Sunlover1 - Did you get this?
Hi Prass.
Yeah, I meant to get back to you on this one.
This is such a neat subject!

When a person grows spiritually, there is a process he goes thru that will bring him closer to God.
I think this is the part that throws me a bit because we are told to draw near to God.
He said, "Draw near to me" (and I will draw near to you) Now for me, drawing near
to God is simply a matter of getting into that sweet spot... Used to be praying in
the spirit for a bit, entering His gates with thanksgiving/entering His courts with praise..
type of thing. Lately, it seems like we open our mouths to address God (I pray with my
three teenage boys daily besides my own prayer time) and bam, He is right there,
right now with an almost tangible anointing.... (Trying to understand your idea of a
process..I think we're miscommunicating somehow)

During that process there is a change in the nature of the believer where the believer will end up sharing the nature of God.
Again... now isn't that when we are in Christ
(As He is in the world, so are we)

Also, thru the spiritual connection, the believer will receive a great wisdom which will bring him into a place where he will actually think like God. God want's all of us to be like him - What good and loving Father would not want that? That can only be accomplished thru spiritual growth.
Amen. thru the spiritual "connection"
Now this is also how it's worked in my own life.

Theological growth is knowledge. Spiritual growth is the manifestation of that knowledge into a new nature. A spiritually mature person is a person who has reached the pinnacle of the perfect relationship.
Okay, interesting way of saying it.

I think I am getting a bit confused, forgive me.
Because I keep going back and forth (in my thoughts) from levels of maturity,
to stages ,.. to knowledge and understanding.
So I feel it's getting a bit too philosophical for me LOL.

I am wondering if you'd like to discuss it from a more "supernatural" POV..
Or isn't that what you're getting at?

Here's what I am thinking.

All of the promises of God are yes and amen in Him.
But in order to "manifest" those blessings.. one must
have faith that it's true.
So while I have the same Bible as the neighbor guy,
we are experiencing very different results...

ALL dependent upon .... what we believe.

Is THIS what you mean?

:wave:
 
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prass1

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Hi Prass.
Yeah, I meant to get back to you on this one.
This is such a neat subject!


I think this is the part that throws me a bit because we are told to draw near to God.
He said, "Draw near to me" (and I will draw near to you) Now for me, drawing near
to God is simply a matter of getting into that sweet spot... Used to be praying in
the spirit for a bit, entering His gates with thanksgiving/entering His courts with praise..
type of thing. Lately, it seems like we open our mouths to address God (I pray with my
three teenage boys daily besides my own prayer time) and bam, He is right there,
right now with an almost tangible anointing.... (Trying to understand your idea of a
process..I think we're miscommunicating somehow)


Again... now isn't that when we are in Christ
(As He is in the world, so are we)


Amen. thru the spiritual "connection"
Now this is also how it's worked in my own life.


Okay, interesting way of saying it.

I think I am getting a bit confused, forgive me.
Because I keep going back and forth (in my thoughts) from levels of maturity,
to stages ,.. to knowledge and understanding.
So I feel it's getting a bit too philosophical for me LOL.

I am wondering if you'd like to discuss it from a more "supernatural" POV..
Or isn't that what you're getting at?

Here's what I am thinking.

All of the promises of God are yes and amen in Him.
But in order to "manifest" those blessings.. one must
have faith that it's true.
So while I have the same Bible as the neighbor guy,
we are experiencing very different results...

ALL dependent upon .... what we believe.

Is THIS what you mean?

:wave:

The "process" is a process of improving and growing the relationship. I'm going to post something that may be very controversial It is called: "How to replace your sinful nature with a love filled heart."

Most believers have to act like Christ, as their nature remains as carnal. By becoming spiritual the nature of Jesus becomes your nature so you wil never have to act out the Nature of Jesus. Instead of trying to act like jesus, or instead of having to turn your Jesus Nature on when you need it, you will actually be like Jesus, sharing his nature. Being spiritual is about walking in love always.

The "What Would Jesus Do?" movement pretty much died because it was basically carnal believers trying to act righteous. They were trying to turn on a nature that they really didn't possess.

It is not based on your faith or what you believe. It is based on the depth of your love. Faith only opens the door for growth and blessing. Love is required to get thru the door.

Sunlover1, I will discuss it in any point of view that suits you.

Sunlover1 - you are primed for growth. :clap: That is because you are reaching out for it. Many believers look at it as nonsence as stated in
1 Corinthians 2
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 
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sunlover1

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The "process" is a process of improving and growing the relationship. I'm going to post something that may be very controversial It is called: "How to replace your sinful nature with a love filled heart."
Everything is 'controversial at GT ;) .. I look forward to reading it.

The "What Would Jesus Do?" movement pretty much died because it was basically carnal believers trying to act righteous. They were trying to turn on a nature that they really didn't possess.
Right. Rather than WWJD, they should have
done what Jesus did, which is to stay in close contact with His source of strength:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up,
left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.


It is not based on your faith or what you believe. It is based on the depth of your love. Faith only opens the door for growth and blessing. Love is required to get thru the door.
sounds right to me, For love is of God, and everyone who
loveth is born of God and KNOWeth God. :amen:

Sunlover1, I will discuss it in any point of view that suits you.
It's a very deep subject and any and all is fine with me.

That is because you are reaching out for it. Many believers look at it as nonsence as stated in
1 Corinthians 2
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I think that many are a bit scared of the supernatural, and our God is Spirit so we
have to learn to 'see' with our spiritual eyes, rather than our 'natural' imo. Our
God is no nonsense ...

God bless you more and more prass!
:hug:
 
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razeontherock

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Because I keep going back and forth (in my thoughts) from levels of maturity,
to stages ,.. to knowledge and understanding.
So I feel it's getting a bit too philosophical for me LOL.

I am wondering if you'd like to discuss it from a more "supernatural" POV..

You mean like the difference between white robes, white raiment, and white linen, clean and pure?

All of the promises of God are yes and amen in Him.
But in order to "manifest" those blessings.. one must

If I may, I think a better Scripture more directly getting to what Prass is saying is in the first chapter of 2 Peter:

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 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: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."

Not to give our RC brethren more ammo, but I think this passage just might be the best claim for Peter's supremacy. What aspect of the Gospel was not just addressed? :holy: That lays things pretty bare!
 
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razeontherock

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The "process" is a process of improving and growing the relationship. I'm going to post something that may be very controversial It is called: "How to replace your sinful nature with a love filled heart."

;) Read the last quote in my tagline. Harry comes out with gems like that on a regular basis!
 
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sunlover1

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You mean like the difference between white robes, white raiment, and white linen, clean and pure?
Yes lol. About like that.

If I may, I think a better Scripture more directly getting to what Prass is saying is in the first chapter of 2 Peter:
Maybe so.. I may have misunderstood.
Not to give our RC brethren more ammo, but I think this passage just might be the best claim for Peter's supremacy. What aspect of the Gospel was not just addressed? :holy: That lays things pretty bare!
I don't see where you get that (claim for P's S).. or did you mean just the part in red?
 
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sunlover1

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I think this is a valid way of viewing "Faith."
Hi Ray.
Amen... Hebrews, I believe.
TBH I was speaking of everything we consider.
We must be looking through the spiritual eyes...
We are "new creations" in Christ and we are
now very important 'assets' in the kingdom.
(I use that word loosely)

Jesus was here in His physical body,
Now WE are His "physical" body...


So as the Head (Jesus) leads, we follow.
(As Christ is in this world.. so are we.)
And we do have the "mind" of Christ..

ANY decision we make, no matter how seemingly
trivial, could be a huge one and so it's essential
that we hear His voice.
(IIRC you are Calvinist and so this may offend
your sensibilities if so, sorry)
Anyhow, this is why we go to the throne of Grace
continually, not just for peace and fellowship,
not just to worship and adore, but also to get
our Spirit on ;)

Anyhow.. this is how it all works for ME in MY life.
For you, it may be totally different :)
God is way bigger than the sum of our thoughts lol.

:wave:
 
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razeontherock

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Nothing against our OP, but this conversation just can't really take place w/o our Sister, Fireinfolding. Anybody know if she like took a vacation or something? Otherwise I fear she's away because she's in a world of hurt.

TBH I was speaking of everything we consider.
We must be looking through the spiritual eyes...
We are "new creations" in Christ and we are
now very important 'assets' in the kingdom.
(I use that word loosely)

Jesus was here in His physical body,
Now WE are His "physical" body...

:thumbsup: As usual, you're not striking a note of discord but helping me develop my point. Our body has eyes, and in a manner of speaking there's no reason to think our soul and spirit don't have eyes too. In that sense, we could think of our Spirit's "eyes" as Faith, and certainly that affects everything. The only variable is our awareness. And as usual, there's a song that expresses this better than I ever could:

YouTube - Casting Crowns - If We Are The Body

ANY decision we make, no matter how seemingly
trivial, could be a huge one and so it's essential
that we hear His voice.
(IIRC you are Calvinist and so this may offend
your sensibilities if so, sorry)

Perish the thought! I did examine Calvinism upon discovering CF, as nowhere else have I ever encountered anyone willing to admit they follow his teachings. There was a thread in TAW where all the EO's were essentially recoiling in horror at a Calvinist interacting in a thread there, which is one of the things that drew me to consider their POV, along w/ consistently dynamite contributions from them in our Outreach after I had been pretty much the lone Christian voice in NCR.

Anyhow, this is why we go to the throne of Grace
continually, not just for peace and fellowship,
not just to worship and adore, but also to get
our Spirit on ;)

Anyhow.. this is how it all works for ME in MY life.
For you, it may be totally different :)

Nope, no difference at all. Unity! Here's one of my hallmark verses:

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it."

I haven't begun whipping that on Mr FaithPleases yet ^_^
 
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