Not of Yourself But God

Eph_6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

2Cor_10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

Foreword

People (believers and unbelievers alike) tend to believe those things that they heard, or taught and learned... and thoughts that are seemingly within the bounds of their own righteous  reasons…

Most especially when the majority believe on something.

But when it comes to spiritual truths, we believe:

not because most people hold on to what they believe, 

but because it is what the Lord, thru the Holy Spirit, is speaking and teaching us through His word. 

The Word

Written to Spoken

It must be the written word speaking in our hearts. 

Not just the knowledge of the word and then holding on it without experiencing the word.

Life and Spirit

The ‘word’ must become life and spirit to us (John 6:63). .  

We need Him, thru the Holy Spirit, teach us the meaning of His word... to impart His life to us

God knows the heart of all Men

1Ki 8:39  ....give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) 

Act 1:24  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen

Act 15:8  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;

God knows the heart....

1Sa 16:7  …for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

1Ch 28:9  ....for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: ….

1Ki 8:39  …..and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) 

Psa 44:21  God .....knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Jer 11:20  ....O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest (exposes) the reins and the heart, .....

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 

Examples: When the Lord asked Peter in Joh 21:17 and the Rich young Ruler in Mat. 19:16-24

The elusive and very subtle deceptive tactic of Satan

The deceptive tactics of Satan are very elusive and subtle and aimed to divert the attention of every believer (...who are taken captive by him to do his will, 2Ti 2:26) from the truth of the gospel of grace of God towards human ability and efforts (which is pride) which don’t reconcile with the very words of God (John 1:12-13; Eph. 2:8-9): 

The First Temptation

Insinuation No.1 -‘Perhaps, if Adam and Eve didn’t disobey God,...or if they just acknowledged their sin when the Lord asked them...then we should not be like what  we are  now...

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field .... And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 

Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 

Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 

Insinuation No.2 - If Judas chose to live according to the teaching of the Lord..

Insinuation No.3 - If  the rich young ruler chose to obey the Lord to sell his properties and he gave to the poor..
Those arguments are trying to explore the fallen nature of men... to make him prove that he can (and has his own part) for his salvation.

Heb_13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; ....

Judas Escariot

Joh 6:64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him (also Joh 13:11). 

Joh 2:25  And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man. 

Joh 6:65  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 

The Story of the rich young ruler
Mat 19:16  .... Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

Mat 19:17-19  ... keep the commandments. ..Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 

Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

Luk_12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

The Verdict of God to Man

Man’s Heart Far from God

Mat_15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me (also Isa 29:13 ). 

Act 28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; ....

Our Own Ways are not Acceptable to God

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; .....

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; 

The Verdict .......

Under the Power of Satan

Joh_12:46 ... people abide in darkness.    

Act_26:18...  under the power of Satan 

Eph_6:12....  under the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in  high places. 

Totally Lost in His Sight

Joh_12:35...  walks in darkness knows not where he go.

Luk_1:79....  in the shadow of death

Joh_1:5 .... darkness can not comprehend the light. 

Rom 3:11... none that understand, ... none that seek after God. 

2Ti_2:26...  at the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 

Do mind the things of the flesh -  Rom 8:5  

Rom_10:3..

Ignorant of God's righteousness, try to establish their own righteousness, don’t submit to the righteousness of God –

NOW, CAN A MAN (WHO IS SPIRITUALLY DEAD) DECIDE TO COME TO THE LORD?

WILL THE LORD GIVE HIM AN OPTION TO DECIDE?

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. 

Rom 7:19  For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. 

Rom 7:20  But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 

HE GAVE US THIS PROMISE...
Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; .... I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Eze 36:25  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Now, Do we have option to choose?

Jos_24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; .... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 

Pro_1:29  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 

Isa_56:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 

Isa_65:12  .....because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

Men by nature don’t  Choose God 

Isa_5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 

Isa_44:18  They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 

Isa 44:20  ... a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, ....

Isa_66:4  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; .....but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. 

Unless God work in our lives

1Ki 8:58  That He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments.... 

1Ki 8:59  .....I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that He maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of His people Israel at all times, .....

Deu 31:8  And the LORD, He   is that go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. 

He is the God who Choose..not us

Joh_15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

Our Spiritual Eyes are Darkened

Joh_12:40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them (also Isa 6:10 ). 

Isa 29:10  For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes:....

Rom 11:8  ....God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day. 

Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 

HIS PROMISE...DOESN’T REQUIRE ANYTHING  FROM US

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy….(also Eph 2:4)

Tit 3:6  which He poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 

Tit 3:7  that, being justified by His grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Eph 2:5  we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Rom 9.11...that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 

Rom 9:15  For He saith…., I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 

Rom 9:17  ....saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth (His Name be glorifed – Rev. 14:7;

2Co 10:5  ..... every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God....) 

Rom 9:18  Therefore He show mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. 

Righteousness by Faith

Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Rom 4:6  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 

Rom 4:13  For the promise, ...was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Rom 4:15  Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 

Righteousness by Faith

Phi 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith..

Rom 4:6  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, …..

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

AND THIS PROMISE...HE REVEAL TO THE BABES....WHOM GOD CHOOSE 

Mat 11:25  …Jesus answered ….I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 

Mat 11:27  …no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 

1Co 1:27 ….God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong (1Co 1:28)

1Co 1:29  that no flesh should glory before God (Eph. 2:8-9). 

Num_16:5  …Even tomorrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 

Psa_33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 

Mar_13:20  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 

Act_1:2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 

Act_1:24  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 

Act_9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

Act_10:41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 

To Choose: The Work of God and Not Us
God Choose People

Num_16:7  …..and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: 

Sa_2:28  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, …..

Neh_9:7  Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, ….

Psa_25:12  What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall HE teach in the way that he shall choose.

Isa_14:1  For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 

Zec_2:12  And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. 

Joh_15:16  “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I selected you so that you would go and produce fruit, and your fruit would remain. Joh_13:18  .. I know whom I have chosen: 

Jas_2:5  …God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom ..

Leaders and Kings

Deu_17:15  Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. 

Money and Place

Deu_14:25  …Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: 

Deu_16:16  … all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; ….and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: 

God choose according to His foreknowledge

Rom 8:29  For whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

1Pe_1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father....

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Now Therefore.... God’s Admonition
Jos 24:14  Now therefore fear God, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve God…

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

 Rev 14:7  …. Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters…. 

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up (mature; leave the old rudiments of this world) into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up (mature; leave the old rudiments of this world) into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

 Rev 14:7  

Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters…. AMEN!