Almighty God Gets What He Desires
Posted May 31, 2018
The catalyst for this post was an email I received from a known heretic attempting to persuade me once again of the error of my ways. Using no scripture and repeating the oft-repeated lies everyone learns in orthodoxy, I was told it is up to man to choose to repent, and only then will the Lord save us. This heretic, like the heretic we all are at first before we are dragged into truth, just cannot see what we are so blessed to see in our Bibles. Here is one such giant verse.
Psa 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.
The heretic did not get an answer, having long ago received his two admonitions (Tit 3:10, 2Jo 1:10). This unsolicited event brought to my remembrance how profound the basic truths we in the Body live by as we search for the deeper things which our Bibles reveal. I share now with the brethren to stir their memory.
2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
Getting past the lie of free will is essential to come to see the marvelous truth of the promise of the salvation of all men. Those who cling to the false doctrine of man having a free will have a very small God. Such a God would, therefore, be dependent upon his own creation and their actions to accomplish the Lord’s will in their life. But is that what the scriptures teach? Most certainly do not as this post will touch on the basics.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
When the myth of free will is destroyed, then the Lord’s purpose in using evil to bring about good becomes clear and many false doctrines are instantly consumed in the fire that is the truth (Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28, Ecc 1:13 CLV). The will of God, the sanctification of all men (1Th 4:3), is being accomplished on schedule.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
That glorious event which occurs in the lake of fire has already been declared from the very beginning. The Lord is a powerful God, unlike the ones our carnal minds cannot help but invent.
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
The Lord is in charge of all things, and His pleasure is getting done all the time. Almighty God, our Lord and Savior does not need anyone’s help to accomplish His will in the earth and in the hearts of men. He is working all things and is sovereign over all His works. Lords and Kings rule over their kingdom and so does our Lord.
Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
1Ti 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate (Ruler/Authority), the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Yet carnal minds don’t and can’t believe this unless and until the Lord opens spiritual eyes and gives faith.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.Joh 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
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.
Only a few are given the ears to hear and eyes to see the truth of God’s plan for mankind. These truths and the plan of salvation of all are foolishness to the natural man not given the precious gifts of faith and spiritual understanding.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
A common pushback those speaking the truth face is responding to those claiming it is up to man to repent and choose himself to believe the gospel. While some scriptures taken by themselves seem to say this (e.g. Jos 24:15), the real truth is found only in the SUM OF THE WORD (Psa 119:160) and applying Peter’s warning here about making doctrines out of one verse.
2Pe 1:20 (CLV) knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture at all is becoming its own explanation.
Choosing today whom we shall serve does not change the truth that all of our choices, be they good or evil, are all choices the Lord of Lord’s is causing us to make. That is the truth and what the Sum of the word declares. We have matter of fact verses telling us we have nothing to do with choosing to follow the Lord.
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me
The Bible is chock full of verses which tell us to choose the right way and to obey the Lord. Yet we are also told that our choosing righteousness is not in ourselves. It is 100% the Lord’s work in each of us and in the times He has ordained.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Men do not choose to have faith. True faith is indeed a gift of the Lord (Eph 2:8), and all of our works are really His works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The multitudes that know another Jesus (2Co 11:4) cannot see that faith is never OUR faith, it is always about the faith OF Jesus Christ. Big difference!
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith OF Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Php 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:
The faith we are given is a measure of faith. Not all get the same and this, too, is the Lord’s work that we learn in respecting where the Lord has every man in His hands.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
The pillar of truth that was used to open my eyes was coming to see the sovereignty of the Lord in all things. We truly can do nothing apart from the Lord. It is everywhere in our bibles, but we just can’t see it before our time to see it arrives.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Pro 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Even the bad things we do are His work in us (Isa 45:7). Here is an article/post which covers the bad things we do and who is causing them.
Blessed are the eyes of the few given to know these mysteries and the symbols and parables by which the Scriptures are written to keep the multitudes blinded. The heavens, earth and deep places primarily speak to what the Lord is doing IN YOU as all these words are signified and are Spirit (Joh 6:63). Yet many multiple witnesses speak to the immutable truth of the limitless power of God’s authority over the affairs of men.
Psa 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
The Lord needs nothing from His pieces of clay He is molding. He has already declared it, and we and every man are just living it out now.
Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Act 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
It is the Lord’s desire to bring every man to repentance and save every man. That He will do by the means He has devised from the very beginning.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2Sa 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him (i.e. Saved).
The way of salvation is by us living an experience of evil and then being judged by the Word we are so blessed to hear and that which is alive with us. Thus, the true grace of God is being made manifest to those the Lord has chosen to be His House in this age.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The Old Testament spoke clearly of this as well. The way God’s people are redeemed is through many tribulations (Act 14:22), which is the judgment of God.
Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Judgment is the fire that will burn up the unclean, consume the wood (carnal mind) and sanctify us in Christ. The judgment of the old man is the blessing for the new man and the means of salvation. It is also known as the strange act (Isa 28:21-22) that will consume all of God’s adversaries in the earth.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Turning our hearts back to the Lord (repentance) is the Lord’s work in us, just as the turning of our hearts away from Him was in the first place. As clay in His hands, the Lord turns us to destruction on purpose in order to then turn us back (grant repentance); but only in the appointed times.
Psa 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return (REPENT), ye children of men.
Isa 63:17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
New Testament witnesses agree, and it is through these multiple witnesses that every truth is established.
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
Even repentance is in the “box of all things” the Lord is working in the hearts of all men.
Act 5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Act 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Only those blinded by God could speak confidently and repeatedly in arguing that our choosing the Lord and repenting are all the choice of man’s supposed free will. Not that more proof is needed, but we have lots more once we see this with God-given eyes.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me drag [draw] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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 promise of the New Covenant expressed through the prophets shows the hand of God involved in every aspect of salvation. There is no “we must do anything” in this promise, it is all “I WILL, SAYS THE LORD”
Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.
Eze 36:24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
Eze 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Eze 36:28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.
Eze 36:29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you.
It is 100% the Lord accomplishing all things. The circumcision of our hearts is done by His hands and not the delusion of man’s free will doing it.
Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ
Those who think it is up to them are not the true circumcision, as such ones still have confidence in flesh and, by extension, the delusion of free will.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Those whom the Lord has blinded in this age will stay blind until the Lord has ordained them to see and to hear the things of the Spirit. One of the hardest things we first learn is this principle and that we cannot give to anyone else what the Lord has given to us.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The Lord is working to bring about His good and perfect will in the lives of every man who has ever lived. He will do it and bring it all to pass exactly on schedule beginning with the chosen few, the Elect (Mat 22:14), who are given to believe now.
Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (now).
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
These are essential truths upon which the house of God is built and the process of salvation works within our heavens and our earth. Good to remember and be able to give answers to those precious few the Lord will put in our path.
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
