May 16th 2021
Yes, It Is True God Is Pleased With You Because You Have Faith That He Exists!
Romans 8:9 (NIV)
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Note that in this one verse the Holy Spirit is called both “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ.” Thus, the two terms are synonymous, which means that Christ is God, and so is the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is not comprehendible to mankind, and thus, must be believed by faith. My best understanding of it is to think of it as being like three personalities, which can be in different physical locations at the same time. Of course, from mankind’s perspective it is still confusing as we are not capable of being in more than one place at a time. However, God is not controlled by laws of natural existence, as we are. When Jesus walked this earth as a member of mankind, He did have a human body brought into being the same way you were, through birth by a female member of mankind.
This idea of indwelling of the Spirit into every believer is also somewhat mysterious and difficult to understand as the Spirits of God are. To me, if you are indwelt by a Spirit of God, then you will be changed, and you will, or at least can know, that you have been changed. You may not be able to speak in tongues, or be able to heal diseases, but you are now open to the knowledge that you have been changed. Paul wrote about this change. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). As is stated in the selected verses, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” Before you were saved, and anyone now who has not yet been saved through God’s grace, is still being controlled by their sinful nature.
However, do not forget everyone still has a sinful nature inherited through Adam’s sin that brought suffering and death into the perfect world Jesus originally created! Which is the reason Jesus had to come into this cursed world to offer salvation through grace to all sinful members of mankind that are willing to humble themselves so they can acknowledge their need for salvation through grace! The writer of Acts teaches us about this wonderful indescribable gift. Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Since we do have a sinful nature that is why we may swerve off the narrow path that leads us to Jesus Christ, when we die.
Paul wrote to help us understand more about this gift of freedom from the oppression of sin, so that we may be able to get back on the right path, or even stay on that path, because of God’s grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Note the emphasis here on letting us know that our salvation is NOT being granted because we are good people. Actually, it is just the opposite, we are being granted salvation, because we do NOT deserve it, and thus cannot earn it.
Salvation by grace enables us to want to do good deeds. Without first being granted salvation mankind is not capable of doing good deeds and wanting to become a good person. Becoming Christ-like can only start after you have been granted salvation, and thus, have become a child of God. A bonus, so to speak, of gaining your salvation causes the Holy Spirit to indwell you, and offer you understanding of what God desires you to do in this lifetime. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:13-14).
The question is, just how do we know that we have the Holy Spirit? The answer is because His Word says so! Jesus told us His followers this truth. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24). Furthermore, we have the testimony of internal peace and assurance. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16).
Finally, the indwelling Spirit will increasingly be growing His eternal fruit in our lives—the ninefold fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23). Thus, we can testify to others that we do indeed have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this lifetime it is difficult to think in terms of the unseen blessings we may receive from God because we believe in Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote about what your faith needs to be based in. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). What we see in this world does not offer a possible reward for us trying to lead a good life and being willing to want to help others.
Our hope in this lifetime must be based on why God has chosen you to be considered by Him to be His child. Our real hope for eternal life with Jesus is not based on this mortal life, and any accomplishments we did during our lifetime. We will be rewarded for the good deeds we did during our mortal lifetime, if we were awarded salvation attained through us becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. Salvation must come first just because we believe, before we can be rewarded for good deeds done in this lifetime. Do good people go to heaven? No, only sinners can go to heaven, and that is what our faith must be based on! Our hope is then based on the unseen more then on the things this world offers, or it should be. People who do not believe in God or who do not follow Jesus base their hope only on this world, and how it may be improved.
Your faith in God/Jesus during this earthly lifetime makes the difficult times be less of a burden because we know that our death is not the end, but instead a new beginning. The writer of Hebrews teaches about how our faith allows us to please God, even when we are not at our best. It also tells us our rewards are based on our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).
If you have faith, it is possible for you to please God! Yes, it is true God is pleased with you because you have faith that He exists, and that He loves you! We have a friend and brother in Jesus Christ!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Romans 8:9 (NIV)
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Note that in this one verse the Holy Spirit is called both “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ.” Thus, the two terms are synonymous, which means that Christ is God, and so is the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is not comprehendible to mankind, and thus, must be believed by faith. My best understanding of it is to think of it as being like three personalities, which can be in different physical locations at the same time. Of course, from mankind’s perspective it is still confusing as we are not capable of being in more than one place at a time. However, God is not controlled by laws of natural existence, as we are. When Jesus walked this earth as a member of mankind, He did have a human body brought into being the same way you were, through birth by a female member of mankind.
This idea of indwelling of the Spirit into every believer is also somewhat mysterious and difficult to understand as the Spirits of God are. To me, if you are indwelt by a Spirit of God, then you will be changed, and you will, or at least can know, that you have been changed. You may not be able to speak in tongues, or be able to heal diseases, but you are now open to the knowledge that you have been changed. Paul wrote about this change. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). As is stated in the selected verses, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” Before you were saved, and anyone now who has not yet been saved through God’s grace, is still being controlled by their sinful nature.
However, do not forget everyone still has a sinful nature inherited through Adam’s sin that brought suffering and death into the perfect world Jesus originally created! Which is the reason Jesus had to come into this cursed world to offer salvation through grace to all sinful members of mankind that are willing to humble themselves so they can acknowledge their need for salvation through grace! The writer of Acts teaches us about this wonderful indescribable gift. Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Since we do have a sinful nature that is why we may swerve off the narrow path that leads us to Jesus Christ, when we die.
Paul wrote to help us understand more about this gift of freedom from the oppression of sin, so that we may be able to get back on the right path, or even stay on that path, because of God’s grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Note the emphasis here on letting us know that our salvation is NOT being granted because we are good people. Actually, it is just the opposite, we are being granted salvation, because we do NOT deserve it, and thus cannot earn it.
Salvation by grace enables us to want to do good deeds. Without first being granted salvation mankind is not capable of doing good deeds and wanting to become a good person. Becoming Christ-like can only start after you have been granted salvation, and thus, have become a child of God. A bonus, so to speak, of gaining your salvation causes the Holy Spirit to indwell you, and offer you understanding of what God desires you to do in this lifetime. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:13-14).
The question is, just how do we know that we have the Holy Spirit? The answer is because His Word says so! Jesus told us His followers this truth. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24). Furthermore, we have the testimony of internal peace and assurance. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16).
Finally, the indwelling Spirit will increasingly be growing His eternal fruit in our lives—the ninefold fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23). Thus, we can testify to others that we do indeed have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this lifetime it is difficult to think in terms of the unseen blessings we may receive from God because we believe in Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote about what your faith needs to be based in. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). What we see in this world does not offer a possible reward for us trying to lead a good life and being willing to want to help others.
Our hope in this lifetime must be based on why God has chosen you to be considered by Him to be His child. Our real hope for eternal life with Jesus is not based on this mortal life, and any accomplishments we did during our lifetime. We will be rewarded for the good deeds we did during our mortal lifetime, if we were awarded salvation attained through us becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. Salvation must come first just because we believe, before we can be rewarded for good deeds done in this lifetime. Do good people go to heaven? No, only sinners can go to heaven, and that is what our faith must be based on! Our hope is then based on the unseen more then on the things this world offers, or it should be. People who do not believe in God or who do not follow Jesus base their hope only on this world, and how it may be improved.
Your faith in God/Jesus during this earthly lifetime makes the difficult times be less of a burden because we know that our death is not the end, but instead a new beginning. The writer of Hebrews teaches about how our faith allows us to please God, even when we are not at our best. It also tells us our rewards are based on our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).
If you have faith, it is possible for you to please God! Yes, it is true God is pleased with you because you have faith that He exists, and that He loves you! We have a friend and brother in Jesus Christ!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak