Does God expect his children to be worthy of him and his Kingdom?
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 2 Thess. 1:4-5
Paul says:
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power: 2 Thess 1:11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering--"
The Thessalonians didn't "have to do" anything to make themselves 'worthy.' They were already worthy because God Himself loved them and accounted them 'worthy.'
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
That is the essence of grace. God accounts us "worthy" when we were truly worthless. He then goes on to transform us by His grace to make us into a vessel "worthy of honor" (Romans 9:21-23).
I know that I do not have any holiness of myself, just as the moon has no light. However, I always strive to accurately reflect the holiness of God, without going through phases as the moon does. (I sometimes fear that my reflection is all too often cyclical.)
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I am an Apostolic Pentecostal. Apostolic in teaching, and Pentecostal in experience.
If one is automatically worthy why did Paul pray always that they WOULD BE counted worthy?
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Of course the way he does it is by his power and grace. But again if theres nothing for us TO DO why would Paul waste his time always praying about it?
The term; Counted worthy, is a term to mean, acknowledge someone, or pay attention to them because of their efforts. It means to be recognized.
It has nothing to do with salvation but rather a result of the fact that you are saved does it come forth.
To offer one a medal of recognition in the presences of their fellows.
If one is automatically worthy why did Paul pray always that they WOULD BE counted worthy?
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Of course the way he does it is by his power and grace. But again if theres nothing for us TO DO why would Paul waste his time always praying about it?
Can you mention some of the things we need to do?
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...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
Holiness is a lifelong process wherein one is lovingly conformed into the very image and likeness of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. And this process doesn't end until that final stretch on one's death bed. This process is known doctrinally as "sanctification". We stand in a justified state as we are sanctified by the power of God through the Holy Spirit.
Salvation isn't about not doing this or that in order to go to Heaven.
Salvation is about being conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus through the Holy Ghost, our "oneness" with God.
Jesus being formed in us is our salvation. Not a code of conduct or dress.
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering--"
The Thessalonians didn't "have to do" anything to make themselves 'worthy.' They were already worthy because God Himself loved them and accounted them 'worthy.'
"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
That is the essence of grace. God accounts us "worthy" when we were truly worthless. He then goes on to transform us by His grace to make us into a vessel "worthy of honor" (Romans 9:21-23).
Am I worthless?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering--"
The Thessalonians didn't "have to do" anything to make themselves 'worthy.' They were already worthy because God Himself loved them and accounted them 'worthy.'
Where does it say that?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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