GOD'S GLORY IS WITNESSED THROUGH "YOUR" OBEDIENCE!

        IS GOD’S GLORY WITNESSED THROUGH YOUR OBEDIENCE?

 “... The [invisible]...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).“…The [invisible] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of goodness) IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). "… [The]… Father is glorified (his presence is made known or WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit (such as the fruit of GOODNESS), and so PROVE to be [his]… disciples” (John 15:8). 

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God’s GLORY is WITNESSED in the GOOD way he CARES for and sustains the VAST universe. It is WITNESSED in the smallest gesture of GOODNESS he demonstrates and offers to the least . Thus, "… [The]… Father is glorified (his presence is made known or WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” (like HIM) bear much fruit (such as the fruit of GOODNESS), and so PROVE to be [his]… disciples...” (John 15:8).

One of the “…The fruit of the Spirit is … goodness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). The FRUIT of GOODNESS works in the believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit and transforms their character. “…God who works in you …” (Philippians 2:13 NIV),

 “…Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature: …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… we all (new creations) … are changed into the same image [of Christ] …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). SO “...Be… imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV).

When Jesus was upon the earth,“… …he went around ... doing good  …” (Acts 10:38 NIV).“…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…all things are BECOME NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…God’s [invisible] ...Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB).  “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

God’s GLORY is WITNESSED when “HIS” GOODNESS is displayed “in” and “through” his people. “…The [invisible] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of goodness) IN and THROUGH [his people]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). "… [The]… Father is glorified (his presence is made known or WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit (such as the fruit of GOODNESS)...” (John 15:8).

“... The [invisible]...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV).

In order to allow God, the invisible Holy Spirit to work “in” and “through” THEM, God’s people willfully CHOOSE to cooperate with him through OBEDIENCE. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (obey)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

Many seem to think obedience is gained through meticulously following the list of rules, regulations, biblical instructions, or commandments God gives to his people to guide their ethical or religious behavior. “...This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me...” (Mark 7:6 KJV).  “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV).

Those who follow or adhere to the list of rules, regulations, biblical instructions, or commandments greater than others consider themselves MORE holy or righteous.“… Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!  I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted…” (Luke 18:9-14 NLT).

The problem with MERELY following or adhering to rules, regulations, biblical instructions, and commandments is that it MAY help regulate BEHAVIOR, but “NOT” the human heart. It is the heart that matters to God.“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).

Obedience NEVER comes from the outside in, but from the inside out. God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

“…What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world (through ethical behaviors), and lose his own soul?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV).

True OBEDIENCE comes from a sanctified HEART. “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “…No one needed… to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT).

A sanctified HEART comes from the indwelling Spirit which also EMPOWERS God’s people to obey his Word. . “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ  …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

True obedience will EMPOWER you to follow and adhere to God’s commandments, but it is NOT gained by self-effort or duty-bound behavior. “….apart from Me (the invisible, indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

True obedience is EMPOWERED by trust in, dependency upon, and cooperation with the invisible, indwelling Holy Spirit. “…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… God  … work[s] … in … [you] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

You TRUST IN the indwelling Holy Spirit to WORK obedience “in” and “through” you.“…The [invisible] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of obedience) IN and THROUGH [his people]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).“...The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to enable obedience) THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

You DEPEND UPON the indwelling Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower you to obey. “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ (by depending upon him)  which strengtheneth me …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). ^“…God …works in you TO WILL and TO ACT  (obey) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

You COOPERATE with the indwelling Holy Spirit by willfully choosing to follow and adhere to God’s instructions (WORD). “… Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (by choosing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit). Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV).

Jesus trusted in, depended upon, and cooperated with God, the invisible Holy Spirit.. “...He (Jesus) gave Himself over to Him (God, the invisible Holy Spirit who judges) ...justly...” (1 Peter 2:23 KJV).

 “…I (Jesus,) do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me (Jesus), he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). HOW? “…God (the invisible Holy Spirit) anointed (empowered) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and POWER, …” (Acts 10:38 NIV).

 “…Jesus of Nazareth ... went around doing good and healing all  (HOW?)...because …God [the invisible holy spirit]… was with him…” (Acts 10:38 NIV).

“…The [invisible Holy] ...Spirit of the Lord (of Jesus)  … anointed [empowered HIM] to preach the gospel to the poor ... [empowered him] to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).

REMEMBER, “… [Jesus was EMPOWERED by the invisible Holy Spirit and he] went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; [BECAUSE] ...GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV). “…Apart from [God, the invisible Holy Spirit] YOU can do nothing….” (John 15:5 KJV).

Was God’s GLORY WITNESSED through Jesus’ obedience? “…Jesus saith  … he that hath seen me hath SEEN THE FATHER…” (John 14:9 KJV).  “…The Son is … the EXACT representation of his being (glory, presence)…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “...Jesus explained, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does...” (John 5:19 NLT).

Jesus was a WITNESS for God’s GLORY by what he DID in OBEDIENCE to God’s invisible, indwelling Holy Spirit. “…The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).

Jesus was a WITNESS to God’s GLORY because they were also UNITED in a covenant relationship. "...I and my Father are one.,," (John 10:30 KJV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…for GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses of all things which he did …” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).

God’s MANIFESTED GLORY backed up and empowered, or PROVED Jesus’ was WHO he claimed to be. “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV). “…God (the invisible Holy Spirit) publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. …” (ACTS 2:22 KJV).

 “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

Jesus, had an earthen vessel, just like YOU, so WHO “actually” DID the WORKS, through HIM?

The Holy Spirit, within Jesus, actually DID the WORKS. “…[Jesus said]…the Father (the invisible Holy Spirit) that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).  “... The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know [those with the invisible, indwelling Holy Spirit]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

“…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he (she) bears much fruit … ” (John 15:1-11 NASB). "… [if you] ...bear much fruit, [you] ... PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).  “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God (the invisible Holy Spirit) publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. …” (ACTS 2:22 KJV).

God backs up Jesus’ claims with the demonstration of his POWER, and GOOD nature. For instance, JESUS saves through God’s power and kind nature “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). 

GOD’S GLORY IS WITNESSED THROUGH  YOUR WILFULL OBEDIENCE, WHICH WITNESSES HIS POWER AND GOODNESS. “... The [invisible]...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“…The [invisible] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of goodness) IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). "… [The]… Father is glorified (his presence is made known or WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit (such as the fruit of GOODNESS), and so PROVE to be [his]… disciples” (John 15:8).

Godspeed,

Dr. Pensacola