Subject: release and faith |
Bible Note: "My answer is: Yes, God would have been able to do what He did even if the people did not have faith. God's power and ability are not dependent on anything in man. For example, if the Lord had kept His promise to Abraham throughout the generations based on the faith of the Israelites, they never would've survived as long as they have" Explain this statement scripturally. What promise are you speaking of? The one I see promised his seed would continue forever.. Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. Acts 13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, The promise to Abraham regarding his seed extended to Christ and then with Christ birthed the body of Christ...both Jew and Gentile who are of faith are Abraham's. "God is perfect and complete in Himself. He needs nothing from man. He needs nothing -- period. If He did, then He would not be perfect and complete in Himself." It is misconception that the WOF teaches that God is not sovereign. I have had lengthy conversations regarding this. The difference in what you are sayong and what I am saying can be summed up in this statement. You say God is sovereign regardless of His Word, and I say God is sovereign through His Word. The Word of God is all we have to base our faith upon...if we base our faith on anything other than the Word, we are subject to great misconceptions of God's nature and will. God states throughout the Bible and especially the New Testament how every move He makes in the earth with mankind is through FAITH. Had Abraham not had the faith to act on the Word God spoke to him, he would not have not been the father of the promise. God would have sought another who would believe Him and act upon His Word. Yes, His will would have been done but not through Abraham... Acting upon God's Word by faith is OBEDIENCE, acting on the Word by faith is OBEDIENCE. God speaks His Word...Do this and be blessed, or do that and be cursed...We choose to place faith either in the promised blessing and step in faith into the promised blessing, or we choose to place our faith in the curse and step into the promised curse. Is God's will fulfilled when we reject Christ? No, scripture tells us it is the will of the Father that all be saved 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Will all of God's prophesies be fulfilled? Absolutely...but God will accomplish it through men and women of faith. The question is...Who will believe His Word as Peter did...when he challenged Jesus "If it is you, beckon me to come". There is a powerful statement here...Peter knew when Jesus spoke a command he would be empowered to accomlish the task...apart from the Word spoken into our spirit by the Holy Spirit and us responding by faith...we can receive nothing from God, and not because it is not His will, but rather because we did act by faith in the Word. Yes Radioman, we are brothers and sisters in Christ and will always be. We are here to grow.. God bless |