God's Expectations of Us

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Oct 6, 2020
58
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#1
It seems to me, that the Lord does not have any expectations for us other than that which is a product of the work he is doing within us.

…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

There exists within us a strong urge to set up images of the qualities of character that make up the character of Christ, and to strain after this ideal. But no matter how hard we try it is impossible to walk in the glory of that which has been provided for us in Christ until the Lord himself brings about a transformation within my inner being.

This can cause sincere Christians much unnecessary anxiety and pain. This has been unnecessary because the moment he completes a particular phase of this eternal project we find ourselves to have entered into his rest (Hebrews 4:9‑11). In other words, we outwardly display what he has done within our spirit without any conscious effort on our part. What he has accomplished is now a part of our being. It is then that we understand that “I no longer live but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). We stop focussing upon our own efforts and “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

And when the Lord carries out these profound inner changes, he seldom does it in the ways or in the timeframe we have imagined. But he is in complete control, he knows what he is doing and what he does surpasses our ability to conceive or hope for.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20‑21, NIV)

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Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,678
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#2
16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18
 
Oct 6, 2020
58
67
18
87
New South Wales
#3
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

We are created for intimate fellowship with Almighty God, the creator and sustainer of this universe, nothing less. We were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb so that we could walk freely and without condemnation in partnership with him. We are being transformed into his likeness so that this fellowship can be real and meaningful. This is happening in us right now and is not a hope for some far off age. How God longs for our fellowship. What overwhelming joy this fellowship (indeed “friendship” John 15:13‑15) brings to his heart of infinite Love.

Turn your eyes from me;
they overwhelm me. (Song of Songs 6:5, NIV)

Surely, to bring this satisfaction to our Father’s heart is our highest calling. This is truly where our heart finds its Sabbath rest.

Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment. (Song of Songs 8:10, NIV)


What brings him pleasure is produced by what he is creating in us (2 Corinthians 5:17) and has nothing to do with what we achieve through our own devices however well-meaning. He wants us to embrace the Isaacs, (what he is producing in us in response to our simple child-like trust) and to leave behind the Ishmaels (what we have tried to produce by our own efforts, wisdom and good intentions).

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Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,249
25,719
113
#4


Matthew 11:28-30 :)
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#5
16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18
The ' it ' is Israel here .
13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away
 
Oct 16, 2020
58
23
8
#6
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24

46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6

You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:14

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Sam 15:22
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...but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

(((I can go on and on and on.)))
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
113
#7
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24

46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6

You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:14

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Sam 15:22
----------------------

...but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

(((I can go on and on and on.)))
Jesus Christ spent his entire ministry to the Jews under the Law. The cross is the dividing line between the commands and demands of the old covenant and the freedom and grace of the new covenant.

Try as you might, you will still be guilty of breaking Laws, for if we even think a sin, we are guilty of it.
In using obedience as a club to ensure salvation, the blood of Christ is slandered.
Works salvation is depressing! How would one ever have the confidence of eternal security?\
How many good works do you need? Do bad works cancel out good works?
Who decides what a good work is?

Colossians 2:13-14
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

I have no debt because Jesus Christ paid it in full for me.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,424
113
#8
The ' it ' is Israel here .
13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away
It seems to me that Christ told of that veil when Christ explained the rules given by Moses for us to follow. Moses gave the rules in stone, hard and fast. Christ said those rules were to come from the spirit. We were all given the Holy Spirit to help us.

Christ gave illustrations of the difference between following rules in stone and rules in the spirit. One was the story of the Good Samaritan. The Pharisee followed the rule in stone, no work on the Sabbath. The Good Samaritan followed the rule of love for others in the spirit.
Jesus Christ spent his entire ministry to the Jews under the Law. The cross is the dividing line between the commands and demands of the old covenant and the freedom and grace of the new covenant.

Try as you might, you will still be guilty of breaking Laws, for if we even think a sin, we are guilty of it.
In using obedience as a club to ensure salvation, the blood of Christ is slandered.
Works salvation is depressing! How would one ever have the confidence of eternal security?\
How many good works do you need? Do bad works cancel out good works?
Who decides what a good work is?

Colossians 2:13-14
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

I have no debt because Jesus Christ paid it in full for me.
No Christian ever has worked for salvation, and no Christian has ever refused to work for the Lord. Being a Christian means we do these things.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#9
It seems to me that Christ told of that veil when Christ explained the rules given by Moses for us to follow. Moses gave the rules in stone, hard and fast. Christ said those rules were to come from the spirit. We were all given the Holy Spirit to help us.

Christ gave illustrations of the difference between following rules in stone and rules in the spirit. One was the story of the Good Samaritan. The Pharisee followed the rule in stone, no work on the Sabbath. The Good Samaritan followed the rule of love for others in the spirit.
No Christian ever has worked for salvation, and no Christian has ever refused to work for the Lord. Being a Christian means we do these things.
What if a Christian does no work for the Lord ?