Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Work consciousness is Self righteousness

‎2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ... Well, what do you say about this?
November 27 at 7:19pm · · ·
    • Mark Boyce Maybe a lot of "ministers" should get a job?
      November 27 at 8:04pm · · 3 people
    • DAwn Rubin Mark.LOL...
      Pang.I think it means people need to work...LOL.
      they can still work and REST IN HIM
      November 27 at 9:07pm ·
    • Pang William
      I am sure you heard this one preached before? Tell me which is easier for you to do... to work or not to work? Or should I put it like this... shall we take Grace for granted and not to work? Isn't it like Rom 6:1 ... Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? How often do you hear preaching saying... Rest! It is finished! Yet on the other hand you hear... don't be lazy, work if you want to eat. Sound very much contradictory! Please don't get me wrong... I'm not saying to quit your job or resign from your ministry.
      November 27 at 9:18pm · · 1 person
    • Pang William So what? Which is easier... to work or not to work? The answer depends on your faith. Mat 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Do you have enough faith to believe that our Father still feed you even if you don't work?
      November 27 at 9:24pm · · 1 person
    • Tina Patitucci Yes i belive and i never judge people and God loves us all no matter what.
      November 27 at 9:36pm via Facebook Mobile · · 2 people
    • Pang William The key point here is Faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Grace is given but we received by faith and not by work. If you work for the money, then the money is not considered grace but pay. Rom 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
      November 27 at 9:50pm · · 1 person
    • Tina Patitucci Love ur post thank you.
      November 27 at 9:56pm via Facebook Mobile · · 1 person
    • Mark Boyce
      Paul is speaking of people that are "busy bodies" going around interfering in others lives and at the same time being a burden to others because they expect hand-outs from everyone. They play on people and make them feel guilty if they don't give to them, or their cause. They even throw in the idea that if you don't do so, you're not showing the love of God. That's a load!

      Paul is saying each man should work and provide bread for his own table and don't be a bum when you are entirely capable of working. There is rest in working with one's given talents, trade, or profession when Jesus is the focus and He is invited into that work. It will not be a grind!

      As far as judging is concerned, Paul said in verse 14 that you are to take special not of such a person and not associate with them. Hmm. Don't treat them as an enemy, but admonish, (warn) him as your brother that his belief system is wrong. We don't do such things today because political correctness says that is "judging". But there it is in verse 14. This is speaking of earning a living and not sponging off of others. You ARE showing him the love of God by pointing it out to him and not associating with him! We have to stop going to extremes and ask for wisdom.

      The other kind of work is the religious kind of self-righteousness based on the law, or any other kind of rule-keeping - the "do, do, do" for Jesus stuff. "It is finished," means exactly that! He won't accept the works of religion. Self-righteous works of any kind have no place in grace. It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory, not us in Christ that is the hoping He will get glory from works. The "work" is the Holy Spirit transforming us into His image. We just let Him do it! In this kind of work it is all Jesus, none of man. The only way we enter into that REST is to cease from our own works of trying to please God. We are already PLEASING to HIm because we are in Christ! His power working in us produces eternal results - they last! WE are His work!
      November 27 at 10:12pm · · 3 people
    • Don Griffin ‎1 Cor 15:10-But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
      November 27 at 10:25pm · · 5 people
    • Ellen Daigle Crandall Working is a blessing! its so wonderful to be healthy and to be a productive person. I think to not work would be a curse. God made us in his image and when I look at the world around me I see an Industrious god!
      November 27 at 11:30pm · · 1 person
    • Pang William Thanks Mark for your comment and you have made it so clear that no one can dispute. And that also my point by putting it... shall we take Grace for granted and not to work? But there are some in the grace camp uses this verse... "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" to justify their works either related or non related to the finished work of Christ particularly those working in the church.
      November 27 at 11:52pm · · 2 people
    • Pang William Hi Ellen, I can't deny it is a blessing that one being able to work and be productive but I also can't deny it is a curse that because of his ability, he see no need of God. Luk 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
      November 28 at 12:33am ·
    • Sandy Crosby Pang THERES ABIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING TO EARN RIGHTEOUSNESS and working a job to earn a living!
      November 28 at 1:28am · · 2 people
    • Sandy Crosby Rest is a spiritual resting in Grace for salvation and ceasing from working for it.
      November 28 at 1:33am · · 1 person
    • Sandy Crosby ps, also besides the point, but God gave Adam a job to do, before the fall, there was no toil or sweat(Josep Prince said something about this), but an enjoyable effortless job. --- to do give names to all the animals I think, I cant remember what joseph Prince said.
      November 28 at 1:33am · · 1 person
    • Ellen Daigle Crandall Everyone is different and it's okay if some people don't want to arise early and get things done. I personally enjoy it. And when I say a curse. i mean for those that are unemployed right now trust me for them its a curse. I'm praying for several people to find jobs. If it were not for working people Jospeh Prince would have no ministry for us to watch!!! :)
      November 28 at 1:48am · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Please don't get me wrong... as I have said it earlier, I'm not saying to quit your job or resign from your ministry or one must not work. The key point here is Faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God.

      Actually after we have received Grace, it is no longer about what we do but rather what we believe. It is like a paradox... We work yet like we don't work because we don't work of the work but of the desire and pleasure of our hearts. For that desire is the fruit of the Spirit that produces the pleasure in us. It is like the posting I am doing now out of the desire of my heart and I get great pleasure doing it because I believe the Spirit is speaking for me. That's faith!

      1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. ... If it is freely given then how can we work to earn it? We can only receive it by faith. Shalom.
      November 28 at 3:53am · · 1 person
    • Pang William Dear Sandy, to me there is no difference between a work for righteousness and a work for a living. All must be generated from the fruit of the Spirit. I have been a web master for many years and I really enjoy the work I do and I enjoy even more whenever there are challenges because only then I really depend on the Spirit for inspiration and creativity. However lately I began to lose that desire and I believe the Lord is bringing me to a new thing... may be videography because a fresh desire is born there.
      November 28 at 4:11am · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Dear Ellen, I understand your point... There are people who are just born lazy and there are many who work two or three jobs a day and still struggle through life. But that doesn't mean the lazy guy isn't blessed and the one with two or three jobs is blessed.

      All blessings come from Grace, only if we abide in Him, we shall have Life and Life more abundantly. God is good, He always meet where our faith is because not everyone has faith to believe that he doesn't need to work to be blessed.

      Generally it is good to pray jobs for others but sometime it may not be. Like Pastor Prince once said... the worst thing to do is to feed the prodigal son when he saw that even the pig food look good. The answer is by the Holy Spirit. And I don't think Pastor Prince ever considered his ministry as work.
      November 28 at 4:44am · · 1 person
    • Curtis Farmer Cherish your Freedom. It was for FREEDOM that you have been made FREE. Do not go back into bondage. That certainly is NOT God's will. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
      November 28 at 7:49am · · 1 person
    • Ellen Daigle Crandall I don't think my friends that are praying for work are in God's perfect blessed place they are receiving food stamps and other government assistance. A job is the only ting that will help unless God will bring something else which they are all open to! A Lazy person will only get what all lazy people do NOTHING!!!! and if there are jobs in heaven which many say there will be I KNOW that a man lazy on earth won't be given much heavenly responsibilty.
      November 28 at 10:13am · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      ‎1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

      If it is freely given, it is FREELY given... include freedom from bondage, freedom from the law. Thanks Curtis. Another point for us to think about from the same verse... It says we have received not the spirit of the world. What is the spirit of the world?

      In one of my previous post were talking about how one still get devoured... http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=126655717395697&id=100000859777273
      November 28 at 11:05am ·
    • Sandy Crosby Pang THERES ABIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING TO EARN RIGHTEOUSNESS and working a job to earn a living!
      November 28 at 1:52pm ·
    • Pang William
      The spirit of the world is exactly the opposite of the Spirit of God. To interpret it in context... If the Spirit of God that FREELY gives us all things, then the spirit of the world is... NOTHING IS FREE! Anything we want, we must work for it.

      The Spirit of God is of the tree of Life and the spirit of the world is of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And everything we do everyday we have to choose between these two trees. Life or Death?
      November 28 at 7:21pm · · 3 people
    • Pang William
      Heb 3:9 WHERE YOUR FATHERS TESTED ME, TRIED ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FORTY YEARS. 10 THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THAT GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS.' 11 SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.' "

      What do you think it meant when God said... they SAW MY WORKS FORTY YEARS? And what is God's way... MY WAYS? And what is God's rest... MY REST?
      November 29 at 2:30am · · 3 people
    • Carol L Robinson You are OK Mr. Pang William........beloved and accepted!!
      November 29 at 5:10am · · 1 person
    • Curtis Farmer
      No one worked on the Sabbath under the Law. Now God's Sabbath Rest for His people is that we all REST all of the time from our human "labors". God is my Father. Parents provide for and protect their children. Remember all that Jesus said along those lines in Luke 12 and Matthew 6? He wasn't beating His gums together just to hear himself talk.

      Furthermore, as children of a King we are FREE from the labors of the slaves or servants of the king. We live out of the king's bounty. But we must accept our responsibility as regent kings on earth to do God's work - establish His uncontested authority here - in order for God to provide for and protect you. Why should He provide for us while we are still basically "looking out for ourselves" just like the world?

      There is so little understanding of the entire jist of the whole Bible and so much wrong teaching about all of this - which leads to the kind of thinking about "working for a living" that most Christians have. That only came about because of sin . It is a result of the curse. We have been redeemed from that.

      We treat God like He is not as good or able to do for us what natural parents and kings do for their kids. How can THAT possibly be pleasing to God?
      November 29 at 6:30am · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Isa 55:1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

      You probably say... How is that possible? How to buy anything without money? How to have money without working? But God said...

      Isa 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

      Or you probably say... It is referring to God's Grace which is a free gift which no money can buy. But isn't Grace includes wholesome in health and prosperity both riches and honor and wisdom?

      King Salomon: Ecc 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

      Tell me honestly... How many of us not work for the money? How many of us don't want to be rich? A brother asked me... How to help the poor without money? How to have money without works? I answered... The just shall live by Faith and not by works. And he asked... Are you saying Faith can produce money? I said... YES. What do you say?
      November 29 at 4:55pm ·
    • Curtis Farmer ‎2 Corinthians 8:9 & 9:8
      November 29 at 10:15pm · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Yes Curtis, for the benefits of the readers...

      2Co 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

      2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
      November 29 at 11:54pm ·
    • Pang William
      Let me say it again... I'm not saying you should not work but it is not your works but His. I believe we all know this verse well... 1Jn 4:19 We love because He first loved us. It is because of His Love that the love in us abound. But why is it so hard for us to understand that... it is Grace that the works in us abound?

      If we say we understand Grace... If I say let us sin more that Grace may abound, you would say certainly not for we are dead to sin and sin has no dominion over us. But if I say let us work that Grace may abound, what would be your answer? May be you would say... Off cause not, how can work causes Grace to abound? Grace is unearned, unmerited favors of God. We can't work to earn Grace. But again if I say let us not work that Grace may abound? Now how would you answer? Would you say... don't be lazy, everyone must work. Do you follow me or have I confused you?

      All that we needs and wants are found in Grace and Grace can only be received through Faith not works. All works must come of the result of the abounded Grace in us. That's the reason why you love your job and happy to do it even more. But if you are not, or stressed by it then you should know why. Seek Him!
      Tuesday at 1:52am ·
    • Carol L Robinson It all depends where the motivation and energizing for work flows from.......if it is God led, or an attempt to be pleasing.
      Tuesday at 3:40am · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Rom 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

      Why I said... there is no difference between a work for righteousness and a work for a living? Both come forth of Self. As long as we work to accomplish something... it is called the works of Self Righteousness which in Isa 64:6 called... filthy rags. We put ourselves back under the law. But if the same works we do... not to accomplish but already accomplished works of the cross. It becomes the works of faith, it becomes His works... MY WORKS, and He called it His ways... MY WAYS, and we shall enter His rest... MY REST. (Heb 3:9-11)

      1Th 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

      Just like Don Griffin quoted above... 1 Cor 15:10-But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

      As I asked earlier... Which is easier... to work or not to work? If you truly understood Grace, it is not possible for you not to work... the work of Faith! Shalom.
      Tuesday at 6:59pm ·
    • Curtis Farmer
      Isn't it kind of strange that we are taught by preachers that we are to "work for a living" but trust God that His Grace provides Everything else? In view of that don't you think it kind of odd that Jesus called His followers away from ALL worldly distractions (including their jobs) to serve Him with All their, attention, effort and resources.

      According to JESUS it appears that TRUE BELIEVERS are supposed to have a NEW "employer". GOD! Their FATHER. They must now be about their Father's business. The person living in our bodies now is Christ. The old us died. (Galatians 2:19-20) When He was here in the historical body of Jesus - He had to be about His Father's business. Do you think He has changed His mind - just because He "changed bodies"?

      That doesn't even make sense! In fact the very reason that He came was so that He could come back in the form of the Holy Spirit in many bodies and thus multiply His effort in establishing His Father's uncontested authority here through Him (in us).

      THIS is the gospel of the Kingdom of God that JESUS taught! May I ask - what particular OTHER "gospel" are you referring to when you say otherwise? The biggest problem with Christians is that they do not know how to "think for themselves" or use the mind that God gave them - to question what they have been taught.http://enlitener.wordpress.com/category/introduction/
      12 hours ago · · 1 person
    • Pang William
      Thank you Curtis... Praise Daddy! Hallelujah! At least I know I'm not alone, I though I might be wrong... you're the first ever agreed with me on this... which I have pondered more over a year... I have posted many times but no one seem to be interested... Not even those of my church... I felt like the odd one out... These are the questions I asked... What is work and what is not work? Are we to work for a living? What more do we seek in life? What is our destiny? Below are just some posted at my blog if you care to read...

      What is work and what is not work?... http://yasolovesme.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-is-work-and-what-is-not-work.html

      A time for every purpose under heaven...http://yasolovesme.blogspot.com/2010/06/time-for-every-purpose-under-heaven.html

      Right question, Wrong answer... http://yasolovesme.blogspot.com/2010/09/right-question-wrong-answer.html
      11 hours ago ·
    • Pang William
      The Flood Story... A flood threatens a town, forcing everyone to evacuate, But Joe thinks, "I'm a devout man, God will save me," and stays put. As the waters rise, Joe's neighbor comes by and says, "Joe come with me, we've got to go." Joe declines, "I'm a devout man, God will save me."

      The waters keep rising, Joe scrambles to his second floor. A firefighter in a rowboat comes by. "Get in the boat or you'll drown," he says. Joe again declines, saying, "God will save me. So this flood story goes."

      Finally, the flood waters force Joe to his roof. A police helicopter comes by and throws down a rope. "Climb up or you'll drown," the policeman yells. "No, I'm a devout man, God will save me," Joe replies.

      Soon, Joe drowns. He arrives in heaven and challenges God. "Why didn't you help me?" "What do you mean?" God says. "I did help. I sent a neighbor, a firefighter and a helicopter."

      I'm sure many heard of this story and the generally conclusion is... You must help yourself for God to help you. God can't help you if you refuse to accept His help. Now what do you think? Do you think you must help yourself for God to help you? Do you think you must work for a living for God to bless you? Do you think God was concerned whether the Israelites would cross when He opened up the red sea? Do you think Jesus would say... what if they don't accept me after I sacrificed for them? ... This is not faith!

      Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

      What have you done? He chose you, He predestined you and He will make sure you come on boat.
      8 hours ago ·
    • Curtis Farmer Pang you my friend are REFRESHINGLY correct. I feel as you do about this. Am I alone in this? So glad I found you. Stay bold. I will read your blog post. Here are a few that I made on "not working for a living". http://enlitener.wordpress.com/category/working-for-a-living/
      6 hours ago ·