It begins with sovereignty, really, which is a constant theme throughout Scripture.
setst RE: No Christian sect that I am aware of denies the Sovereignty of God.
The question is, does ones understanding of God's Sovereignty harmonize with all the Scriptures in context.
God does whatever he wants, and none of us have anything to say about it.
setst RE: Does God reveal what He wants as regards the Gospel Revelation?
Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in
keeping with the revelation of the
mystery hidden for long ages past,
- 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings
- by the command of the eternal God,
- so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith —
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
IT IS GOD who works in you both to will and to do according to his good pleasure.
setst RE: God accomplishes this as we faithfully work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB)
12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
If we believe in Lord Jesus, then we will follow him (
Matthew 28:19-20).
As we follow Jesus, we are obligated to live, walk, and sow to the Spirit of God so that God may lead us (by His Spirit) to do His good work (
Romans 8:12-14;
Galatians 6:7-9;
Galatians 5:24-25) whom we receive by faith so that God may do His work in us.
Romans 8:12-14 (NIV)
Writing to the Church in Rome
12 Therefore,
brothers and sisters,
we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Galatians 6:7-9 (WEB)
Writing to the Church in Galatia
7
Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also
reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit
reap eternal life. 9
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will
reap in due season,
if we don’t give up.
"Apart from me, you can do nothing" I didn't make that up either.
If we do not resist God's Spirit who indwells us by faith, but instead live and walk by the Spirit (
abide in Him), then God will do all His work in us.
Acts 7 (WEB) 51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always
resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.”
Isaiah 63:10 (WEB) 10 But they
rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.
Psalm 106:32 (WEB) Bolding mine…32 By the waters of Meribah they angered the Lord, and trouble came to Moses because of them; 33 for they
rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips.
Ephesians 4:30-31 (WEB) Bolding mine… 30 Don’t
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
Hebrews 10:29 (WEB) Bolding mine… 29
How much severe punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has
insulted the Spirit of grace?
Therefore, for God to lead us by His Spirit for good, then we are obligated to live, walk, and sow to the Spirit
who indwells us by an obedient faith:
Acts 5 (WEB) 32 We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the
Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
John 14:15-17 (NIV)
15 “
If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17
the Spirit of truth.
Blessings