Amen, it is 100% GOD, and that foundational belief in this through our death to self and acknowledgement of Jesus as LORD is wood, hay, stubble.   Any response truly established in us((Christ in us)) unto GOD and His Son allows for gold, silver, precious stones to be built on the foundation GOD has provided for whosoever will.   Not the hearers, but the doers!!!!  It is life to hear and believe GOD, it is glory to increasingly respond to GOD through that life = our LORD Jesus Christ.

Paulfromnys said: " Not the hearers, but the doers!!!!  It is life to hear and believe GOD"

In this is manifest the difference between the former/teaching/sowing rain and the latter/harvest rain.

It is NOT enough to be "hearers only" but "doers also".

But HOW we approach the "doing" makes all of the difference.

Because without Him, we can do NOTHING.

But with Him, ALL things are possible.

An obedience that is based ONLY in "our" ability to perform is NOT acceptable to Him, but if we have remained in His presence UNTIL the "doing" is NOT us, but Him IN us, both willing and doing His will, THEN it IS acceptable to Him.

Many are there that "hear" the truth of the Word of God, but few are there that become so conformed to Him that the "doing" IS HIM.

They are those that are wise enough to receive the extra vessel of oil, and that are matured in His presence, to be ready to enter in with the Bridegroom when He comes.

Shalom,

JS5777

JS5777 said:

Many are there that "hear" the truth of the Word of God, but few are there that become so conformed to Him that the "doing" IS HIM.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Philippians 1:21a For to me to live is Christ,

To put on Christ means to live Him out. For that, we must be full of the Spirit. We must eat Him to be full of Him and then live because of Him by eating the Word. That is the key.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

   AMEN James, a seemingly small distinction which is in fact the The foundation and purpose of everything = it is all for and by our Lord Jesus Christ.

   I wonder where the measure of every part fits in?

PAULFROMNYS said:

   I wonder where the measure of every part fits in

Hi Paul. You must be referring to Ephesians 4:16.

Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.

I love this verse. Verse 14 says we should no longer be little children, and verse 15 says we grow up into the Head, Christ, by holding to truth.

Children are individualistic and focused on themselves. To grow spiritually means we are becoming less and less individualistic and more and more corporately minded. "Each one part" means that we have become something more than the sum of our individual capacity, but part of something much bigger, "all the Body."

Amen Fred, please excuse the structure of this reply as I'm doing a verbal response on my cell phone. Yeah the ability to come out of ourselves seems to be tied very closely with maturity in Christ. Knowing our need for one another, steaming others better, and such shows a real movement from self-centered into christ-centered I believe.

Amen Paul. Grace to you brother.