Could not sharing the Gospel effect your salvation?

[tdidymas]

God did make us all different. Some he made to be ears, some he made to be hands, some he made to be a mouth and some he made to be feet.
If you are an ear, listen to people's problems and then tell them the Gospel.
If you are a hand, mow someone's law and weed their garden and then tell them the Gospel.
If you are a mouth, teach people and then tell them the Gospel.
If you are feet, walk to the parks or down the street and then tell people the Gospel.

Obviously, you want everyone to be a personal evangelist. I disagree with that.

We do have different giftings and abilities and with these, we should bring Glory to God. We should not use our gifts as an excuse not to give God glory.
I am a foot. I often choose to go to the parks and give God glory. Sometimes I am a hand and I share the Gospel. Sometimes I listen to people and then I tell the Gospel.

If we are using our gifts, we are giving glory to God. Your implication that if we aren't being personal evangelists that we are not giving glory to God is a false premise. Again, you're an evangelist who is wanting everyone to be one.

Once again, we do have different giftings that God has given us.
Many people often say my gifting is one of helps. So, they are a hand. They spend year after year doing good deeds and then never speak about the awesome thing that God did for them. So, nobody knows what this person believes in. If God is not spoken of, their good deeds do not give glory to God. We need to learn to open our mouths to speak of His awesome sacrifice.
In saying this, many believers do not know how to say the Gospel clearly and effectively. So, if you truly believe that your neighbour is under God's wrath, take the time and prepare a defence for the hope that is within you. I had to do this and it took me months to be able to say it.

You said: "If God is not spoken of, their good deeds do not give glory to God." I disagree. Mat. 5:16 is clear that doing good gives glory to God. When we love one another, Jesus said that by doing so all men will know we are His disciples. Therefore, your idea that if we aren't talking about God, then God is not glorified, is a false premise.

Gospel means, "Good Speil". Or Good Talk. Or as we now say it, Good News.
If we tell of Jesus' great sacrifice, and what He did for us, then we are talking about the testimony of Him. So, we are saying the Gospel. That is, we have sinned and deserve death, but He took our place by dying on the cross for us.
Many people only tell their own testimony. Your testimony is not the power of God unto salvation. It is only a reason for your belief in Him. For instance, a person may say, "I believe in God because I heard His voice late one night". This answers why the person believes, but it does not say who God is. The Gospel says who He is. He is our saviour.

I commend you for your commitment to speak of the gospel to everyone. You likely have the gift of evangelism, and the day of judgment will reveal it, since it is the day when all things will be revealed. It only stands to reason that in your enthusiasm about it, you want everyone else to be an evangelist.

So we do not have to preach the Gospel to all creation? Who do I obey, you or Jesus? I will stick with what Jesus told us to do.

Christians don't have to conform to your version of "preaching the gospel" in the way you describe it, for them to obey Jesus. For you to imply that people who don't preach the gospel as you present it are disobedient to Christ is a false premise.

In my town, everyone has taken the same approach as you and so for the last 40 years, nobody has taken the Gospel in the streets or parks. We have all just left the lost to be lost
Also, you missed the second part of Eph 4:11 because it continues to verse 12. The gift of evangelism is, "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ". So, the gifting is for the saints. It is for the church so that we can equipped to go out and share the Good News. We are all to evangelise but someone with the gift of evangelism will have the ability to teach others to do so as well.

If you have a passion to take the gospel to the streets, then you should do so. Be an example. But what I'm objecting to is your implication that everyone has to do the same. You said "we are all to evangelise," but nowhere in the scripture does it command every Christian to evangelize. This is merely your interpretation of certain verses taken out of context, because of your bias.

"For the equipping of the saints" is not limited to evangelists, but is also of apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers. It appears to me that your bias is showing here.

I do not believe that 2ndTim was saying that. He was saying that if you have a true belief, then it would be wrong not to share the Gospel.

What verse are you referring to? I'd like to see how you justify this statement.

Even Charles Spurgeon understood this. He said, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!"
Our actions substantiate our true beliefs. People can fool themselves into thinking that they believe in something just by saying "I believe", when in fact, they don't truly believe. For instance. If you are going skydiving for the first time, while you are on the ground you may say, "I am not afraid, I trust my parachute." But then when it comes down to the crunch and you are up at 10000 feet about to jump, you may say, "On second thoughts, it is a long way down and I don't want to die." So, your actions substantiate your true beliefs. Those truly believe will act in accordance with that belief. So, if you truly believe your neighbour is under God's wrath, then you will act accordingly. You would warn them. It would be unloving not to warn them.
James 2:24 says "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."

Here again, your bias is showing - you quote Spurgeon and think he is talking about evangelism. Yet quotable quotes are often taken out of context, the same as scripture verses. Can you prove to me that he was talking about evangelism and nothing else? You don't think a person can actually perform acts of love for others without "preaching the gospel" and be wanting them to be saved?

But if a person has true Biblical faith, they do want others to be saved, and they do whatever the Spirit lead them to do in reference to that, whether it is preaching the gospel or not. You seem to be implying that if a person is not preaching the gospel to everyone, that they are not obeying God, and not even saved! Is this what you are saying here? If so, you are completely wrong in that matter.

 

[Oneofhope]

People are changed when GOD places His anointing upon them and The Holy Spirit then rests upon them in power. That's when major moves of GOD happen

At what point does being released from the captivity of the Devil with the express purpose of doing his evil will become a part of change?

 

[Oneofhope]

I thought I made that clear. You said:

I am objecting to you claiming that determining if we are saved (or not) depends on whether or not we are "spreading the message".

Well, perhaps I should have first asked you what exactly do you mean by "spreading the message." Can you describe this in detail?

Children who are humble are accepting, not rejecting.

Interesting post. Alright, well I am absolutely maintaining that a person who is a genuine believer [will] speak about the Saving Plan of Jesus Christ based upon the below three passages.

2 Timothy 2:25-26 NLT - "Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."

2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT - "But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume."

When a person is held captive by anything, it means they are controlled by "it" and choices are not an option. If choices are an option, then there is no captivity.

 

[ARBITER01]

At what point does being released from the captivity of the Devil with the express purpose of doing his evil will become a part of change?

Rephrase the question please, I'm not sure what you're asking me.

 

[ARBITER01]

Christians don't have to conform to your version of "preaching the gospel" in the way you describe it, for them to obey Jesus. For you to imply that people who don't preach the gospel as you present it are disobedient to Christ is a false premise.

Correct.

Not everyone is born into the kingdom as a preacher, there are other jobs that GOD has His people doing also. Not everyone has a soul winners heart.

 

[Oneofhope]

Rephrase the question please, I'm not sure what you're asking me.

You bet. Most people don't acknowledge that those who are not saved are actually held captive by Satan to perform his evil will.

2Ti 2:25-26 NIV - "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

Wouldn't this be the moment that the biggest change takes place? When a person is taken from the captivity of Satan and placed into the captivity of the Lord . . . this is where the biggest change takes place. And as indicated, Christians need to start incorporating the Adamic Curse into their Biblical discussions. After all, it is the Purpose of Christ. The Adamic Curse is the focus of Christ's work, and it is the Work of Christ that produces a Holy Effect.

 

[Oneofhope]

Not everyone has a soul winners heart.

How do you know that? If a person has been given the same Love that God has for Jesus, they're going to talk about it. There is no way around it.

John 17:25-26 NLT - "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."

 

[tdidymas]

Interesting post. Alright, well I am absolutely maintaining that a person who is a genuine believer [will] speak about the Saving Plan of Jesus Christ based upon the below three passages.

2 Timothy 2:25-26 NLT - "Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."

2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT - "But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume."

When a person is held captive by anything, it means they are controlled by "it" and choices are not an option. If choices are an option, then there is no captivity.

I agree with what the apostle Paul wrote in these verses. What I don't agree with is the exaggeration and legalism of condemning people who aren't evangelists.

 

[Oneofhope]

I agree with what the apostle Paul wrote in these verses. What I don't agree with is the exaggeration and legalism of condemning people who aren't evangelists.

Speaking of exaggerations . . . you're now saying that I have personally condemned. I haven't condemned anyone to anything, for I do not have that Power. However, what I [did] do, is quote the Bible and gave a reasonable explanation of the texts.

Do you have a Transformation story that is bursting to be told to everyone you know? The ways in which you have changed beyond your own choice and Power . . . do you find it irresistible to talk about them? To know what it feels like to be held captive by the Devil only to be transferred to the captivity of God the Father . . . wow, what a difference!! Do you also find it nearly impossible to not talk about these things?

With your knowing the full Story of God in a timeline, chronological order . . . does this story compel you to speak to others about it . . . even at church (where few talk about God)? Having learned the difference between the Story of God and the Saving Plan of Jesus Christ, do you share that difference with others?

 

[ARBITER01]

You bet. Most people don't acknowledge that those who are not saved are actually held captive by Satan to perform his evil will.

2Ti 2:25-26 NIV - "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

Wouldn't this be the moment that the biggest change takes place? When a person is taken from the captivity of Satan and placed into the captivity of the Lord . . . this is where the biggest change takes place. And as indicated, Christians need to start incorporating the Adamic Curse into their Biblical discussions. After all, it is the Purpose of Christ. The Adamic Curse is the focus of Christ's work, and it is the Work of Christ that produces a Holy Effect.

That's just the first step in a Christians walk (and the easiest), there are many others after that which are harder to obtain.

 

[Oneofhope]

That's just the first step in a Christians walk (and the easiest), there are many others after that which are harder to obtain.

Perplexing, but ok.

 

[1Tonne]

People are changed when GOD places His anointing upon them and The Holy Spirit then rests upon them in power

Yes. Those who believe, who have the Holy Spirit will have an overflowing come out of them. What is within them will overflow out of their mouths just as in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came down. They spoke with power, clarity and boldness.
We who are believers, who have the Holy Spirit should be telling as many people as possible the good news. Whether this is at the workplace, parks, streets or at school. We should overflow with love for the lost and we should have a great desire to obey God.

If we are using our gifts, we are giving glory to God. Your implication that if we aren't being personal evangelists that we are not giving glory to God is a false premise.

If a believer has a gift of helps. How do we distinguish between a believer who does good deeds and a non-believer who does good deeds if the believer chooses to keep God's great gift a big secret? We can't see any difference. The only glory that is given, is given to the person who does the deeds. Not God.

I commend you for your commitment to speak of the gospel to everyone. You likely have the gift of evangelism

What I have is a big love for God and a big love for the lost. I love God and so I want to obey Him. I love my neighbour enough that I am willing to go out there and tell them of the condemnation they are under. It would be disobedient and unloving not to. So, it is love that drives me. Not a gift of evangelism.

Christians don't have to conform to your version of "preaching the gospel" in the way you describe it, for them to obey Jesus.

I don't mind how they say it. As long as they tell of His awesome sacrifice.
I suppose I should get one thing sorted here. When I say the word "preach", I do not mean to stand on a box and yell out. I simply mean to speak to others about what Christ has done for us. We should all want to tell our neighbour what Christ did. It should be overflowing because you love God and your neighbour. Love will cause you to do these things.

If you have a passion to take the gospel to the streets, then you should do so. Be an example. But what I'm objecting to is your implication that everyone has to do the same.

I have not said that they need to do the same. You misinterpret.
Some will say the Gospel in the parks and streets as I do. But some will say it in the schools, workplaces and sports teams, or simple one-to-one with friends. But we should all be looking for those opportunities to say it. We should even be trying to create situations so that we can say it. It would be unloving not to.

You said "we are all to evangelise," but nowhere in the scripture does it command every Christian to evangelize. This is merely your interpretation of certain verses taken out of context, because of your bias.

I believe Mark 16:15 says that we all should tell as many people as possible the Gospel. "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Your interpretation of this verse is that it was only for the disciples and therefore we can stay silent about the awesome thing that He did for us. So that is your bias.

What verse are you referring to? I'd like to see how you justify this statement.

I was not meaning the book, 2 Timothy in the bible. I was defending your attack on the username 2ndTimothyGroup.
But what 2ndTimGroup was saying, was that if we truly believe that people are going to hell, then we would act accordingly. So, we would warn them. Just as you would warn someone who is in a house that is on fire. You wouldn't just let them burn. That would be wrong.
If you do not warn, then you would either not believe that they are under God's wrath, or if you do believe that they are under God's wrath, then you are unloving towards your neighbour. So, in James 4:17 it says "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." And also, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." If we truly believe, we will act according to our beliefs.

But if a person has true Biblical faith, they do want others to be saved, and they do whatever the Spirit lead them to do in reference to that, whether it is preaching the gospel or not. You seem to be implying that if a person is not preaching the gospel to everyone, that they are not obeying God, and not even saved! Is this what you are saying here?

Once again, you misinterpret.
Some will say the Gospel in the parks and streets as I do. But some will say it in the schools, workplaces and sports teams, or simple one-to-one with friends. But we should all be looking for those opportunities to say it. We should even be trying to create situations so that we can say it. After all, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
And yes, some will be led to do other things in a support role. Such as, I do a BBQ on the streets and the person running the BBQ often does not have time to say the Gospel. But they direct people to me. Or, a wife may say to her husband, you can go out today and share the Gospel as I will look after the kids. She is supporting him while he shares.

To not warn others of the condemnation they are under would show a blatant disregard for their life. It would show a lack of love towards your neighbour and God. We should all be saying it or getting into a supporting role (as I have said right from the very first post)

 

[1Tonne]

On a side note.
I have been collecting quotes over the last couple of years that are really good quotes for either sharing the Gospel, about the Gospel or they have something to do with repentance.

The great commission is not an option to be considered. It is a command to be obeyed. Hudson Taylor

We shall have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but we have only one swift hour before the sun sets in which to win them. Robert Moffatt

If their houses were on fire, you would run and help them. And will you not help them when their souls are almost at the fire of hell Richard Baxter

It has always been difficult to understand those evangelical Christians who…say they serve the Lord, but they divide their days as to leave plenty of time to play and relax and enjoy the pleasures of this world. They are at ease while the world burns. A. W. Tozer

The world is not so much hardened to the gospel as it is ignorant of the Gospel. Because the gospel is not being preached. Paul Washer

Being an extrovert isn’t essential to evangelism. Obedience and Love are.

Evangelism should not be measured by the counting of conversions, but by the proclamation of the Gospel.

Jesus died for sinners. Cannot we live for them? Charles Spurgeon

The early disciples were fishers of men. While Modern disciples are often little more than aquarium keepers.

We talk of the second coming; half the world has never heard of the first. Oswald J Smith

It is a sad testimony to our lack of love that we had to be commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature. Ray Comfort

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for. Charles Spurgeon

The greatest sound of praise is the sound of feet taking the Gospel to the lost.

If your Gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you.

Churches that have lost their heart for evangelism are living out their last chapter. Anthony G Pappas

The only alternative to soulwinning is disobedience to God. Curtis Hutson

“We are saved by faith and grace alone, but we will be judged by works” John Mcarthur

To evangelise, does not mean to win converts. But simply to announce the Good News irrespective of the results. John Stott

If you downplay the radical depravity of man, then you downplay the Glory of the Gospel. Paul Washer

If you are fearful to share your faith, don’t pray for less fear, pray for more love. Ray Comfort

Preaching that downplays Gods wrath does not enhance true evangelism, it undermines it. John Mcarthur

Repentance is not a work. It is a change of the heart. A change of the mind. Just like faith has works or it is dead, so too repentance has works. Bringing forth fruit worthy of repentance. So, if you have truly repented, then your emotions, your actions, your will, everything will change. Paul Washer

"Doctor. You are too delicate to tell the man that he is ill. You hope to heal the sick without their knowing it. You therefore flatter them. Your delicacy is cruelty, your flatteries are poisons you are a murderer. Shall we keep men in a fool's paradise? Shall we lull them into soft slumber from which they will awake in hell? Are we to become helpers of their damnation by our smooth speeches? In the name of God we will not." Charles Spurgeon

The Gospel is not something to be hoarded. But rather something to be shared Ray Comfort

Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you’re not saved yourself. Be sure of that! Charles Spurgeon

Lower the Law and you dim the light by which man perceives his guilt; this lessens the likelihood of his conviction and conversion. If you set the law aside, you deprive the gospel of its most powerful weapon; that is the tutor that brings men to Christ. Therefore, the Law serves a most necessary purpose, and it must not be removed from its place. Charles Spurgeon

The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who proclaim it. George Orwell

Judge not unless you be judged. Twist not the scripture lest ye be like satin.

You are willing to save yourself, but you do not love your neighbour enough to warn him of Gods wrath to come. Instead, you bless him with acts of kindness. If he joins the fellowship, what was his reasoning? Friendship or has he come under the grace of God?

“Your testimony is not the Gospel.” R. C. Sproul

The highest service that men may attain to on earth is to preach the word of God. John Wycliffe

“Evermore the Law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the church with false converts.” Charles Finny

If there is no sorrow in a person after you have told them the Gospel, it is because of the lack of knowledge as to God’s law.

As pastors, we encouraged our people, we didn’t equip them. The Five Fold Ministries job is to equip the saints. Not to pamper them. We were so happy that we had a crowd that we forgot that we have an assignment to raise an army. See Eph 4:11-12

"I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.” Penn Jillette

If you know of everlasting life, and you know of everlasting death, how much do you have to hate somebody to not tell them of it? Penn Jillette (Altered)

Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?” Leonard Ravenhill

It is easier to denature plutonium than it is to denature the evil spirit of man. Only God can change the evil spirit in man. He can take a hateful heart and replace it with love. That is the fruit of genuine conversion. Ray Comfort.

The Law produces terror but the Cross produces contrition. Ray Comfort

Churches need to be warned. Your activity not only reflects upon you. It reflects upon God. So, if you are in the world, stop it. If you are living for yourself; cease and turn back to Him in repentance and faith. Paul Washer

Logging truck analogy
If I was to say that on my way here, I stood on the road was hit by a logging truck doing 100 miles an hour, you would say, “That’s absolutely absurd. It is impossible to have an encounter with something as large as a logging truck and not be changed."
And then my question would be to you what is larger, a logging truck or God.
How is it that so many people today profess to have had an encounter with Jesus Christ and yet they are not permanently changed. Paul Washer

If I were to pay you $100 for every person you spoke the Gospel to, how many people would you tell the Gospel? Now, why does money motivate you to tell the Gospel but your love for God does not?" (Not the exact quote. Ray Comfort)

If you have cried, “For me He dies”? Horror mingled with unspeakable gratitude will drive you to your knees, and you will whisper, “Oh, God, because You did that for me, I will do anything for You!” This zeal for God will produce in you a zeal for the lost. Ray Comfort (Altered a little to shorten the quote)

We need to pray for our nation like never before, and then put legs to our prayers and preach the gospel. To pray for the lost and at the same time ignore that command to preach the gospel to every creature, is nothing but empty hypocrisy. It is to honor God with our lips and have cold hearts that are far from Him. May He give us a love that moves us from the pews into the streets, and from our homes into our universities. God save us from the cozy comfort of lukewarm contemporary Christianity. Ray Comfort

The friendly preacher who fails to warn of the reality of Hell, betrays the Son of God with a kiss. Ray Comfort

Like sand through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives. But don't let the sands of time get into the eye of your vision to reach the those who sit in darkness. They simply must hear."

If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be full reward for all our labour, for a soul is of countless price.” ~Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon

"Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words" is like saying "Feed the hungry and if necessary, use food."

"The church today lacks this. The Holy Spirit descended as a tongue. It is the Spirit that transforms our tongues. Those that couldn’t talk became preachers. The disciples received a message. They received power, clarity and boldness and they started preaching the Gospel." Brother Yun

The church should gather to worship and scatter to witness.

"It's easy to take a stand on something if there's no risk involved. It's easy to give a quarter to a poor man if you keep a dollar for yourself. It's easy to take a stand against the war so long as nobody asks you to make a real sacrifice. Likewise, it is easy to be a Christian as long as we do not have to tell strangers the Gospel."

Samsons strength was in his hair. Our strength is in Jesus and the Gospel. When we don't go out and share it, it's like getting our hair cut and losing that fire.

Prophecy need not be telling the future. It may simply be giving scripture in a new light that speaks directly to people. Now, the Gospel is certainly foremost in this.

I do have more but people would be reading for a very long time.

 

[trophy33]

The great commission is not an option to be considered. It is a command to be obeyed. Hudson Taylor

A command given to the apostles (the word "apostle" even means "being sent").

There is no command for a common Christian family or worker to travel to the "whole world" to preach the gospel. The nomadic life style of an apostle is not commanded to all Christians.

 

[Oneofhope]

A command given to the apostles (the word "apostle" even means "being sent").

There is no command for a common Christian family or worker to travel to the "whole world" to preach the gospel. The nomadic life style of an apostle is not commanded to all Christians.

There is no reason to travel any distance at all to find people to witness to. As they say, there's a church on nearly every corner in America.

 

[trophy33]

There is no reason to travel any distance at all to find people to witness to. As they say, there's a church on nearly every corner in America.

Sure, there is no reason for us, common folk. But thats not the great commission:

The Great Commission​

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mt 28:16-20

 

[Oneofhope]

Sure, there is no reason for us, common folk. But thats not the great commission:

The Great Commission​

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mt 28:16-20

The good thing is that we don't need to question the Potter. He will shape us according to His predetermined use. We have no choice in the matter.

 

[ARBITER01]

The good thing is that we don't need to question the Potter. He will shape us according to His predetermined use. We have no choice in the matter.

That's very true.

He takes us from faith unto faith, and leads us every step of the way. We do what He tells us to do, and if we are truly obedient, He will raise us in due time. It's our job to be faithful in whatever area He chooses us to operate in.

 

[ARBITER01]

Yes. Those who believe, who have the Holy Spirit will have an overflowing come out of them. What is within them will overflow out of their mouths just as in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came down. They spoke with power, clarity and boldness.
We who are believers, who have the Holy Spirit should be telling as many people as possible the good news. Whether this is at the workplace, parks, streets or at school. We should overflow with love for the lost and we should have a great desire to obey God.

You worry about what Jesus has you doing, I'll worry about what He has me doing.

 

[Oneofhope]

That's very true.

He takes us from faith unto faith, and leads us every step of the way. We do what He tells us to do, and if we are truly obedient, He will raise us in due time. It's our job to be faithful in whatever area He chooses us to operate in.

Did you catch your own words? You wrote that God takes us from Faith unto Faith. You then said that He leads us each step of the way. You then said that we "do what He tells us to do," but then you used the phrase, "if we are truly obedient."

How can this be? If God has taken us from Faith to Faith (not sure what that means), if God leads us each step of the way, why would the "if" condition exist?

If we study the Old Testament, we will find that God is Powerful and that we are not. We would find that God controls the thoughts of people and even animals. Constantly, God is controlling people and the things they do. Those who belong to God were prepared in advance to do His good will. But those who still belong to Satan, are held captive by the Devil to do his evil and ugly will. We all obey our Spiritual Father, whether it is God the Father, or Satan. If we belong to God, we will obey Him. If we belong to Satan, we will obey him.