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The Christian Question

by Dale Linton  
10/15/2011 / Bible Studies

There is a question that can reveal whether we as Christians are trying to exercise our power through God, or allowing God to exercise His power through us. These two methods of operation are exposed in the following verse:

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Allowing God to exercise His power through us is of faith, while trying to exercise our power through God is sin. Being unaware, or crossing over from what would be an operation of faith to that of an operation of sin, is a possible threat. Such a threat would exist because the atmosphere surrounding the more intense spiritual battles of our lives, are battlefields obscured with fog and smoke, making it hard to reference our proper position in the Lord. This Christian question reveals our position and in doing so, the Lord gives us an opportunity to reposition, as the battle is then won inwardly and outwardly through Him.

The question which reveals our spiritual position, whether in faith or in sin, is this; in any given circumstance of my life am I living as I should, or living as I please? The question appears to have one of two possible selections, but in the reality of truth it does not. Appearing as the more appropriate answer, living as I should, has in it an attempt and an error of living by the law. Living as I please has an attempt and an error of living in the flesh. Even though the question appears to not have a truthful answer; it in fact suggests two conditions which reveal a powerful truth, and the proper answer. The correct spiritual answer is this; I have a God given desire to do what I should. The answer has an operational accomplishment in unification. The law, or acting as I should; and the flesh, or doing what is pleasurable to me; need elements of each other to be a success. If my choices result in actions that are lawful and my desire is creatively aligned with my will to make these choices; then a marriage of unity occurs within me. My dilemma is that what pleases me, and acting as I should, tend to naturally oppose one another. Through Gods supernatural working, a marriage occurs within me, bringing harmony and a working order of my wants and my needs. Rather than the usual opposing of what I want and what I need, the two join hands becoming an unstoppable force. This force is called faith and here is how God identifies it, which is His accomplishment in me:

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Contained in the word liberty is the God given desire to do what is spiritually constructive. The Lord links liberty to a new law; a perfect solution to the destructive aim of sin. Notice how liberty is linked to hearing, with an associated action. Through the aspect of hearing, faith becomes the descriptive umbrella of this verse.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


Here is another scripture with a corresponding description of Gods desire and designated way to give us victory over our enemy, through faith:

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

In John 8:32, the word free is the same Greek word as make. The inferred definition is an abiding or continuing in liberty. Another English way to say it is, set at liberty. The operative word in John 8:32 is truth; it is what is known and what makes free. See how truth is related to faith through Jesus later in the Gospel of John:

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.


So, the hearing of the truth can now be defined in the building blocks of what is faith. Faith is linked to liberty which is the unification of desire to constructive actions. Knowing truth makes me free, which sets me at liberty; meaning I continue in this supernatural reasoning. Why wouldn't I if what I desire to do lines up with what I need? God gives me a truthful place where I find I may exercise the desires inherent in my reasoning, because it's His reasoning I've inherited. In other words, the truth inwardly produces desire that becomes an inherent part of my reasoning, by which my flesh is persuaded to act wisely . This is called faith. Faith then defeats an outward influence and operation of lies, which by the gateway of my flesh enters in and further produces desires that are inherent in my natural way of reasoning. This reasoning persuades me to act in folly or foolishness. This is called sin.

I have a desire to see the body of Christ edified. Within the broad spectrum of edification I feel there exists a great need and opportunity for spiritual education at foundational levels. Please contact me about speaking at your church. Dale Linton 410-378-5035 or [email protected]

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