The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "Experimental Salvation" by A.W. Pink

I believe the problem may be in the articulation, I didn't see anything contrary to what I believe in your last post. The only point of possible difference (I think this is just my failure to grasp what you are saying) is that I would say we are made willing, the love of Christ contrains us to be obedient. It is at that point we do His will and are obedient. My will is to do His will as a result of His Spirit within me guiding and instructing.

How do we know it is God working through us and not our own efforts?

When it is a work that glorifies Him being done out of "Love". How often do Christian workers keep working at something but it is being done out of obligation or pride, but not out of love? But someone will say they love God and that is why they are doing the work, but is that really true? most likely they continue to do the things because they feel an obligation to do it or they don't want to appear weak or for some other carnal reason. Do we quit when we become weary? No, but we need to search our hearts as to what our motive and attitude is.

My greatest excitement is when I see christians doing things because of the love of God within them, not out of any obligation. These people will plod on no matter what the discouragements or difficulties (I am speaking to myself, because when my love wanes, I DO become frustrated and discouraged, and instead of doing it for Him, I look at myself and what is happening around me than doing it because I love Him and it pleases Him no matter if I have results or not) Look at my previous topic, that was exactly where I was. What I do for Him is His working in me, do I sit back and let God, No, I follow where He leads. I believe the problem with Ephesus was this very thing. They were working in their own strength, having drifted from Christ, maybe doing the work in order to gain His acceptence or out of fear or even to prove something, but they weren't works based on love.

Rev. 2:2-5 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.5 ‘Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. NASB

I do not disagree that it requires our desires and wills in order to be obedient and do the things requied of us, but I also believe that those things are changed through the power of the word and the Spirit which promotes the love in us which constrains us to obediance (our desires and wills are moved to obedience out of love to Him).

The issue I believe is that I am speaking of the source of our works where you are speaking of their outworking. (attitude vs action) I was saying that our desires, affections and wills are changed by the spirit of God through His Word, I don't think you would disagree with that. It is after those things are changed that we do His work and are obedient doing those things that please Him out of a proper heart. Basically He changes us in order that we do the works He has prepared for us.

Martha and Mary are other examples of this. Martha was busy about many things, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. I think there are a lot of Martha churches out there, busy at a lot of things, but they rush off without hearing what Christ has to say. Many pulpits give marching orders (moral lessons) but we see very little of Jesus (worship) so there is very little love behind the work the church does.

Does what I said leave room open to misunderstanding or error? I hope not, because that wasn't my intent. I thought the explanation was clear, but I guess only in my own mind.

In His Grace,
Hisalone