“…For it is God who WORKS IN
YOU…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John
14:10 KJV).
*
A DEPENDENT is someone who
RELIES upon another for support, assistance, or their supply of needs. “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1
Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The support, assistance, or
supply of needs, for the dependent, are necessary. The dependent can’t rely on
their own strength, alone. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
A dependent usually cannot
sustain themselves, but would be dominated by weakness, without the help of
another. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
A dependent willfully
chooses to rely upon the benevolence of another. “,,, The answer is in Jesus Christ (the
benevolent Savior) our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Jesus said… I am the LIFE (the benevolent one)…..”
(John 11:25 KJV). “… choose life (my
help)…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19)
A dependent, therefore, is
NOT self-sustaining and is at the mercy of caregivers, family, friends,
strangers, paid professionals, or other types of benfactors for their support
or supply. “….Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Commonly, a dependent is a
child, parent, or spouse, but it can also be someone who is disabled, sick,
jobless, elderly, or helpless.
A dependent’s very
existence and ability to survive is contingent on someone or something else. A
dependent is the total opposite of someone who is self-autonomous
A self-autonomous person thinks of themselves as
self-sufficient and not controlled by forces outside of themselves.
A self-autonomous person believes they do not need
assistance, support, or anyone to help them supply “their” needs.
The autonomous person is aware they have human will and
therefore, have the ability to make choices or do whatever they please, with
their lives, without outside interference.
An autonomous person relies upon themselves, but a dependent
relies upon something or someone else.
ALL TRUE BELIEVERS ARE DEPENDENTS. Depending on God (walking
by faith) through Jesus Christ is foundational for the Christian life. “….Apart from [Jesus],
you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). Therefore, depend upon Jesus, with ALL your
heart. “…Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “….Without faith (without depending upon God’s
WORD) it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).
God informs his people, he is their CAREGIVER,
therefore, “…
[They] can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [them]…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…[They] ... will
live by
“his” faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “… [They]
live by “the faith of” the Son of God. …” (Galatians
2:20 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in [THEM] “he doeth” the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
God’s people are empowered by the indwelling Spirit of faith to DEPEND upon God for everything they
NEED. “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will
supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…God will generously
PROVIDE all you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…The Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want …”
(Psalms 23:1 KJV). “… You will always have everything you need …”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). JEHOVAH –JIREH means:
"The Lord Will Provide."
“… The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH,
Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces (SUPPLIES) this kind of fruit in [y]our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith….” (Galatians 5 NLT). HOW? “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the HOLY SPIRIT), you can “DO” nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…The Son …sustaining ALL THINGS by his powerful word…” (Hebrews 1:3
NIV). “…in him (Jesus) ALL THINGS hold
together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV).
DEPENDENCE upon the HOLY
SPIRIT began with salvation and the “pouring” out of spiritual FAITH. ““…The grace
(unmerited FAVOR) of our Lord was poured
out on me (or transferred to me) abundantly, ALONG WITH
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to depend upon God) … that are “IN” Christ Jesus (the WORD of GOD)…” (1
Timothy 1:13-14 NIV). …BY GRACE have ye been saved through (by way of)… FAITH (the empowerment of the HOLY
SPIRIT)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “… [The WORD)… is the power of God at work (or the HOLY SPIRIT at WORK), saving everyone who believes
(depends upon his word)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT). “…saved … NOT OF YOURSELVES ... not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…[salvation]… IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
“…So the promise (salvation) is received by faith (the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 4:16 NLT). “…we have obtained our introduction by faith (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit)
into this grace (unmerited FAVOR) in which we stand (salvation)…” (Romans
5:2 NASB). “…the promise (of salvation
comes) by faith
(the empowerment of the Holy SPIRIT) in Jesus Christ (the WORD)
might be given to those who believe (depend upon HIS Word)…” (Galatians
3:22 NASB). “…The Father
that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works (he doeth the
WORD of salvation)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“...
[SALVATION]... NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to CLEANSE their hearts. “…cleansing
their hearts by faith (the
empowerment of the HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Acts 15:9 NASB). “…I WILL GIVE you a NEW heart, and I will put a NEW
SPIRIT in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…The Father that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works (he doeth the WORK of cleansing the heart)…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to SANCTIFY them. “…who
have been sanctified by faith (by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) in Me (in the WORD)…” (Acts 26:18 NASB). “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY
you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “…The
Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Father
that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works (he doeth the
work of sanctification)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to make them RIGHT with God. “…He that
is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17
KJV). “…A right relationship with
God that comes by faith…”
(Romans 4:13 NASB). “…A person is made right
with God by faith
(the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) in Jesus Christ (in the WORD)…” (Galatians
2:16 NLT).
“…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…God
has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…The Father (the HOLY SPIRIT) that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). "…No one can undo
what I have done” (ISAIAH 43:13 NLT
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to supply RIGHTEOUSNESS. “…The righteousness which is by faith (the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 9:30 NASB). “…I am the Lord
who …brings …righteousness to the earth…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24
NLT). “….not having a righteousness of my own
… but that which is through faith in
Christ, the righteousness
which comes from God on the basis of faith…”
(Philippians 3:9 NASB). “…The Father (the SPIRIT) that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT “DOES” the WORK of EMPOWERING your fruit of faith. “…The Holy Spirit produces (EMPOWERS) this kind of
fruit in [y]our lives….”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…God is Spirit …” (John
4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Father (the Holy Spirit) that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works (he doeth the WORK
of empowering “your” FAITH)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to JUSTIFY them before God. “…A man is justified
(made right with god) by faith (by the empowerment of the holy spirit)…” (Romans 3:28 NASB). “…Ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the SPIRIT of our
GOD…”
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV). “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Father (the HOLY
SPIRIT) that dwelleth in [YOU] he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
The NEW convert depends upon the Holy Spirit to do the
WORK of SALVATION by empowering spiritual
faith. They also depend upon the Holy Spirit to continually EMPOWER them
with the FRUIT of FAITH. “The
fruit of the Spirit is …FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces (SUPPLIES) this kind of
fruit in [y]our lives….”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…The
Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The righteous will live by [this]... faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…The
righteous man shall live by faith (by the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 1:7 NASB). “… [They] walk by faith (by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit)…”
(2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB). “... [They]
live by faith
(the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) [that’s] in the
Son of God (that’s in the WORD)…” (Galatians 2:20 NASB). “…
[They] live; yet not [NOT them], but Christ liveth (the WORD lives) IN [THEM]…”
(Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…For it is God
who WORKS IN [THEM]…” (Philippians 2:13
NIV). “…The Father
that dwelleth in [them] he doeth the works (he doeth
the WORK of empowering the fruit of faith)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
God’s people depend upon the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT to DO the WORK of FAITH “IN” and “THROUGH” which
empowers them to obtain the promises and provisions “IN” HIS Word. “…
[The Spirit of] FAITH
COMETH (is activated) by hearing … the word of God”
(Roman 10:17 KJV) “… [The indwelling
fruit of] FAITH IS [activated by HEARING the WORD and becomes]... the substance (certainty) of things
hoped for (EXPECTED in the promises o HIS WORD)…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “… [The indwelling fruit of] FAITH IS (is also
activated and becomes) … the
evidence (PROOF) of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). THE HOLY
SPIRIT “WILL” DO WHATEVER THE WORD SAYS! “…The Spirit of God dwell … [with]in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…This is the confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask any thing according
to his will (HIS WORD), he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV). God
is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…He has granted to [you]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As
many as are the promises of God, in Him (IN THE WORD) they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching over [his[…
word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [his]… word be that goeth forth out
of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish (THROUGH THE
ACTIVATED WORD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper (THROUGH THE ACTIVATED
WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah
55:11 KJV). “…The Father
(the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT) that dwelleth in [YOU] he doeth the works (THE HOLY SPIRIT “DOETH” THE WORKS)…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
The HOLY SPIRIT DOES
the WORK of faith “IN” God’s people by empowering them to DEPEND and EXPECT God
to meet and supply their needs according to HIS WORD. “…My God will supply all [my need]… according
to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…what
is the riches of the glory…; …CHRIST IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:25-28 KJV).
“…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Father (the SPIRIT) that
dwelleth in [them] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…My God will supply
all [my need]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB).
The indwelling HOLY
SPIRIT DOES the WORK of faith by empowering HOPE and EXPECTANCY. For
instance, they are FILLED with the HOPE for eternal. “…We through the Spirit, by faith
(empowered by the holy spirit), are
waiting for the hope of righteousness…” (Galatians 5:5 NASB). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…And
in the world to come that
person will have
eternal life…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). “…And being made perfect, he became author of eternal salvation unto all them
who obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). ““…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). …The Father (the HOLY
SPIRIT) that dwelleth in [you] he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“… the
substance (certainty) of things hoped
for…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “… the evidence (PROOF) of things not
seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
The indwelling Holy
Spirit empowers the believer to depend upon God
for EVERY spiritual PROVISION and NEED, including FAITH! “…[One of]... the fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces (EMPOWERS) this kind of fruit in [y]our lives….” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP
you with everything good [through the Holy Spirit,]… for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “….Without faith (the empowerment of the Holy
Spirit) it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep … may he work in us (through the Holy Spirit)
what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ (the WORD)…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “For it is God which worketh IN YOU both to will (to empower) and to do (to enable) of his good pleasure”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… [God] …
grant[s]… you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…The Father (the HOLY
SPIRIT) that dwelleth in [you] he doeth
the works (he doeth the works of empowering your faith)…” (John
14:10 KJV).
God KNOWS he is dependable, so HE won’t try to prove he is
dependable. God is NOT to be tested.
“…Don’t you dare test the Lord your God…” (Matthew 4:7 MSG). “…Do not put the Lord your God to the test…”
(Matthew 4:7 NIV). “…You must not test
the Lord your God…” (Matthew 4:7 NLT).
God’s people are empowered and enabled, by the HOLY SPIRIT,
to depend upon God when the WORD of God is HEARD. “…Faith cometh (is activated) by HEARING… the WORD of God…”
(Roman 10:17 KJV). “…That
great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP you
with everything good [the HOLY SPIRIT,]… for doing his
will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The Father (the HOLY SPIRIT) that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
However, God’s people voluntarily or willfully CHOOSE to
HEAR the WORD of God in order to be empowered and enabled, by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, to DEPEND
UPON and EXPECT from God’s WORD. “…Faith cometh (is
activated) by HEARING… the WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “… choose life…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19) “…Jesus (the WORD)
said… I am the LIFE…..”
(John 11:25 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…It shall be done to you according to your faith (part of the
Holy Spirit)…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
“… [The fruit of] FAITH COMETH by hearing … the word of God…”
(Roman 10:17 KJV) “… [The indwelling
Holy Spirit empowers the] FAITH [that
is] IS the substance
(certainty) of things hoped for (EXPECTED for God’s WORD)…” (Hebrews
11:1 KJV). “… [The indwelling Holy Spirit
empowers] FAITH [that] IS … the evidence (PROOF) of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
“…It shall be done to you according to your faith (which is
empowered by the Holy Spirit)…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
Jesus (the WORD) sets you free from sin. “..Who will free me from this life that is
dominated by sin? …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our
Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
When Jesus (the WORD) FREES you from sin, you are NOW
empowered to respond to HIS WORD, through the HOLY SPIRIT. Your heart is CLEAN
and OPEN, through the HOLY SPIRIT and you can NOW respond to the gospel. “…One of those listening …was
a worshiper of God. The Lord OPENED her heart to respond to Paul's message…”
(Act 16:14 NIV). “…God …sent forth the
Spirit of His
Son “INTO” [Y]OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God
has given [you] HIS Spirit as PROOF that … he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…The
Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “It is God which
worketh IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13
KJV). “…The righteous will live by “his” faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…The Father (the HOLY SPIRIT) that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“…God
[is the ONE who has GIVEN] to every man THE measure of FAITH…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). “…BY
GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT
IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should
glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…This is the work of God, that ye believe on
Him...” (John 6:28-29 KJV). “It is God which
worketh IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13
KJV). “…The Father that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…The righteous will live by “his” faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…by the grace of
God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
“… [I NOW] live by the faith of the Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20 KJV).
Therefore, “…A right
relationship with God …comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…A person is made right with God by faith in
Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).
The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT becomes activated from HEARING the gospel and
the gospel is “…the POWER of God (the WORK of
the HOLY SPIRIT) unto salvation to everyone that believeth (depends upon the invitation
of his WORD)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “… [The] Good
News about Christ. It is the power of God at work (the HOLY SPIRIT at WORK), saving everyone who believes
(depends upon his word)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).
Jesus Christ is the “WORD of GOD;” by listening to it and
learning from it; God’s Holy Spirit
WILL draw you to HIM. “…And I, if I (the
Word) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me….” (John 12:32 KJV). “…This is the work
of God (the work of the Holy Spirit), that ye believe on Him
(that you are empowered to DEPEND upon HIM)...” (John 6:28-29 KJV).
“…The Father …
he doeth the works (he doeth the WORKS of empowering
your dependency)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
NO ONE can
come to God UNLESS the HOLY SPIRIT draws them. “… No man can come to me, EXCEPT the Father (the HOLY SPIRIT) which hath
sent me (sent the WORD) draw him…” (John 6:44). Drawing YOU “depends” upon
the WORK of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Everyone “who HEARS”
and “learns” of God, will come to
him, because he will draw them. "It
is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the
Father, cometh to me…” (John
6:45 KJV). “…No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”
(John 6:44 KJV). “…No
man can come unto me, except it were
given unto him of my Father…” (John 6:65 KJV). “…John answered and said, A man can receive
nothing, except
it be given him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…He
(Jesus) went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them…”
(John 6:65 NIV). Yet “…Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the
Father, cometh to me…” (John
6:45 KJV).
Again, EVERYONE who HEARS and LEARNS of the “good news” of the gospel will
come to him. “…Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John
6:45 KJV). “…Faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…One
of those listening …was a worshiper of God. The Lord OPENED
her heart to respond to Paul's message…” (Act
16:14 NIV). “…BY GRACE have ye been
saved through… FAITH; and
that NOT OF
YOURSELVES, IT
IS THE GIFT OF GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
“…This is the work of God, that ye believe
on Him...” (John 6:28-29 KJV). “…by the grace of
God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The Spirit of Faith
COMES when it HEARS the WORD or the “good news.” When it COMES the Spirit of Faith enables YOU to
experience the “…power of God unto salvation…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…This is the work of God, that
ye believe on Him...” (John
6:28-29 KJV). “…Every one that hath HEARD and hath
LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John
6:45 KJV). “…No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John
6:44 KJV). “…The Lord OPENED her heart to respond to
Paul's message…” (Act 16:14 NIV). “…God …[sends] forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [Y]OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6
NASB). “…BY GRACE have ye been
saved through… FAITH; and
that NOT OF
YOURSELVES, IT
IS THE GIFT OF GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV).
Therefore, “…A right relationship with God … comes by faith…”
(Romans 4:13 NASB). “…A person is made
right with God by
faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT). “…BY
GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH;
and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that
no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
It ALL “DEPENDS” on the Work of God’s HOLY SPIRIT!!
The dry bones in Ezekiel chapter 37 was ENABLED to live
again when they HEARD the WORD “…He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said
to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘dry bones, hear the word of the lord! ….So I prophesied as I was
commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the
bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and
tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no
breath in them. Then …breath
entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). .“…Faith cometh by hearing …the word of God”
(Roman 10:17 KJV).
The HOLY SPIRIT is
given by God as a gift. “…you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit….”
(Acts 2:38 NASB). “…it is the gift of God …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). You
cannot earn a gift.
“…you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….”
(Acts 2:38 NASB). The bible clearly emphasizes the HOLY SPIRIT as a “GIFT” and eliminates
any misunderstanding that the credit, for the WORKS of the Holy Spirit, goes to
anyone BUT God. “…it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
For instance, no “man
should glory” or boast that they did ANYTHING to obtain salvation. “…BY
GRACE (unmerited FAVOR) have ye been saved through… FAITH (the
empowerment of the HOLY SPIRIT); and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF
WORKS, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
The GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT is the WAY in which God bonds
with the believer through his perfect love, reveals himself to them, confirms
his WORD to them, establishes himself as
the Lord, their God and CAREGIVER, provides for them, and takes care of them.
Because of the finished work of Christ on the cross, God’s
people are first of all, saved through the POWER of the Holy Spirit (activated by God’s WORD), and also empowers faith “…Even when we were dead in our
transgressions, MADE US alive together]with
Christ (by
GRACE (unmerited FAVOR) you have been saved (by God, the HOLY SPIRIT, himself),
….and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put
to death the enmity…” (Ephesians 2:5, 16 NASB).
“…God
hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH (given to you through the HOLY SPIRIT)…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). “…It is the GIFT of God …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “… [One
of]… the fruit of the Spirit… is…FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Apostle Paul provides an example of how he obtained “FAITH” and totally understood it was
GRACED to him by God via SALVATION. “…Even
though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown
MERCY (instead of deserved punishment) because I acted in ignorance and
unbelief. The GRACE (undeserved FAVOR) of our Lord was poured out on me
abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH (the empowerment of
the HOLY SPIRIT TO depend upon God’s WORD to SAVE me) and love (God is LOVE) that are in Christ
Jesus (revealed in his WORD)…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).
The HOLY SPIRIT is
a Gift of saving GRACE. The WORD
activates the WORK of the Holy Spirit
which comes to DWELL in us, WORK “IN” us and “THROUGH” us. “…The
[HOLY] Spirit of God dwell in you…”
(Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The … HOLY SPIRIT
…does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT
DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…This is the work of God, that
ye believe on Him...” (John
6:28-29 KJV). “…It is the gift of God …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT until the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6 KJV). “…Jesus [is]… the AUTHOR
and FINISHER OF
[your indwelling FRUIT of]… FAITH…” (Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…The Father …
he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“… I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I,
but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20-21 KJV). “…by the GRACE
of God I am what I am…” (1
Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
Salvation was obtained BY the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT along with the GIFT of FAITH. “…The GRACE of our Lord was poured out on me
abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV). “….For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1
Corinthians 4:6 NIV). “…For
what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you?
And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
The
BIBLE SAYS: “…God hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). One of “…the
fruit of the Spirit… is…FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Hebrews 11 gives WITNESS to how the HOLY SPIRIT empowers FAITH, enabling God’s people TO DO, TO
RECEIVE, and TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S EXPECTED PROMISES:
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) we understand …
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) …Abel brought
…
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) …Enoch was taken up…
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit …Noah BUILT …
BY HIS
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) Noah CONDEMNED. …
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) …Abraham obeyed …
he lived
there BY FAITH (by the empowerment of
Holy Spirit)—
BY
FAITH (by the empowerment by the Holy Spirit) …SARAH WAS
ABLE TO
HAVE A CHILD…
BY
FAITH (by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) …THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE
RED SEA
BY
FAITH (by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit) …the people of Israel MARCHED
AROUND JERICHO
FOR SEVEN
DAYS…
BY
FAITH (the empowerment of the HOLY SPIRIT) these people
overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what
God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire,
and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned
to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to
flight. Women received their
loved ones back again from death….”
(Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
“…I will show you MY FAITH (that is empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT) by my
deeds (BY MY EMPOWERED WORKS)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).
God gave every believer THE measure of faith. “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). One
of “…the
fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, FAITH….”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
God gave every believer instructions on how to activate
their “measure of faith.” (Romans
12:3 NIV). “…FAITH COMETH BY
HEARING, and hearing by
the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces (when the WORD is HEARD) this kind of fruit in
[y]our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith….” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Faith cometh (is activated or starts to WORK) by HEARING… the
WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “….Apart from [the WORD of God, which activates the WORK of the
HOLY SPIRIT] you can do nothing…”
(John 15:5 NIV).
After “HEARING” the WORD, the believer is empowered to
DEPEND upon God, through the Holy Spirit, TO DO, TO RECEIVE, AND TO EXPERIENCE
THE PROMISES IN HIS WORD. “It is God which
worketh IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13
KJV). “…The Father that dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…The righteous will live by “his” faith…”
(Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…by the GRACE of
God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The
HOLY SPIRIT begins to work “IN”
them, “THROUGH” them, and “FOR” them.
“…It is God which WORKETH in [them]… both to
will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians
2:13 KJV). “… [They
NOW] live by the faith of the
Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20 KJV). One of “…the fruit of the [indwelling] Spirit is… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
“ … That
great Shepherd of the sheep …may he WORK IN US what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…[May he].. strengthened [you]…with might by his Spirit in the
INNER MAN…”(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [You]
can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [you]….”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Remember
“…It was BY FAITH (EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY
SPIRIT) that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood.
He obeyed God (he depended upon God’s WORD), who warned him about things that
had never happened before….” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
The HOLY SPIRIT
empowered Noah to do a WORK of Faith:
By FAITH, empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT, Noah BUILT. The HOLY SPIRIT empowered Noah’s work of faith to be “clearly seen:” HOW? Noah built A BOAT.
The HOLY SPIRIT is activated by God’s
WORD and becomes the CERTAINTY of what is HOPED “FOR:” Noah HOPED for and EXPECTED
his family to be SAVED from the flood and they WERE.
When the HOLY SPIRIT
works “IN” you it will EMPOWER you TO DO something God’s WORD has SAID TO DO.
Noah built.
When the HOLY SPIRIT
works “THROUGH” you it will be “clearly
seen” by your actions, because of the WORK of Faith - empowered by the HOLY
SPIRIT - will ENABLE you to DO what God’s WORD says to do. Noah built or MADE a
boat that EVERYBODY could clearly see. “…God’s INVISIBLE
QUALITIES—HIS ETERNAL POWER ... —have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE…” (Romans 1:20 NIV)
When the HOLY SPIRIT works
“FOR” you; you are EMPOWERED to HOPE in and EXPECT from God - to DO, to
RECEIVE, or to EXPERIENCE whatever he
has PROMISED in his WORD – no matter how LONG it takes. “…“…you will abound in HOPE by the
power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB). “…God, the source of HOPE, will
fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NLT). “...And in
the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO
PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
God promised to SAVE
Noah’s family from the flood 120 years BEFORE it actually happened. AND Noah’s
whole family was the ONLY family saved from the flood. “…I will show you MY FAITH (my empowered of the
HOLY SPIRIT) by my deeds (by my EMPOWERED actions)...” (JAMES 2:18
NIV).
Every Believer “WILLING” to CHOOSE to depend upon the Holy Spirit “WILL” be EMPOWERED to walk or live by the FRUIT of FAITH. “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…It is God who works in you…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the
sheep, … work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through
Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The
God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with
everything good for doing his will…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [true believers]… to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “... God ... does the
work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…BY THE WORD of the Lord [the HOLY SPIRIT is activate TO DO the WORK of FAITH “IN” and “THROUGH” you] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).
“…BY THE WORD of the Lord [the HOLY SPIRIT is activate TO DO the WORK of FAITH “IN” and “THROUGH” you] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).
“… I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20-21 KJV). ““… I [AM EMPOWERED TO] ... live by the faith of the Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20-21 KJV). “…by the GRACE
of God I am what I am…” (1
Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
“….Apart from [the HOLY Spirit], YOU CAN “DO” NOTHING!!…” (John 15:5 NIV).
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