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?
I don't believe that one is "automatically worthy," in the sense that there is not action involved from either side of the "transaction." God extends grace and then by faith, a believer extends faith in the saving power of that grace (Hebrews 11:6).
Paul's admonition that saving grace should bear fruit in the lives of the believers doesn't abrogate those conditions. Rather, he is admonishing the believers to allow the work of grace to bear its fruit so that they might not frustrate grace [Romans 6 (ESV)].
You've really answered your own question when you quoted, "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthyof his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power..."
Paul isn't praying that the Thessalonians DO anything here. He is praying that GOD does something here. That's is, he is praying that GOD would make the Thessalonian believers worthy.
The truth is our santification/holiness must be total.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 7:1
15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter:1-15-16
Be holy like the Father is holy. Thats the standard for each Christian.
I am not holy enough. My wife wont let me grow a beard.
bible says you are supposed to have one.
Stand up to her and tell her IT IS IN THE BIBLE and that AtlantaBishop has one and that makes it alright! You are SUPPOSED TO HAVE ONE! AMEN!
If you just GO to a Union Church (even if it is in a house) I think it might be LEGAL if you are not actually a member or if you don't get on the platform.
Actually, I am not sure God accepts your TITHES in a Union Church if you have growing a beard in your heart! You better ask the Pastor about that - He will probably say that God accepts them - just DON"T GET ON MY PLATFORM!
The truth is our santification/holiness must be total.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 7:1
I am not against total sanctification. However, I believe if we have the HolySpirit, he will sanctify us. I believe, a person who is led by the Spirit will naturally do the comandments of Jesus such as loving God, loving their neighbors, witnessing to the lost...
I believe that a person DOES these things because he/she is filled with the Spirit NOT because he/she is trying to be saved.
That's why some of us here do not seem to agree with what you're saying or maybe implying.
You seem to imply that we should do things to get validated by God.
I believe we do things that are pleasing in God's eyes because he's already validated us.
__________________
...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
Linear Mode
