Sin in the believer

Because Satan knows the vulnerabilities of man: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, he uses his doctrines of devils and seducing spirits to try to entice and ensnare believers with his lies, thus rendering them ineffective in furthering the gospel and advancing God’s plan of redemption for his creation, both in heaven and in earth.  

Satan is in constant opposition to God and we should not be ignorant of his devices.  We cannot be complacent or self-righteous, thinking that just because we are saved, we are incapable of sin, or cannot be influenced by Satan’s plan of evil. It is crucial that we humbly recognize and admit, like the Apostle Paul, that sin still dwells in us and that we find a law, that, when we would do good, evil is present with us. 

• Romans 7:18-21  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  (21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Old man – unrighteous, incapable of good

We are quite simply unable to do good in the flesh. Of our own volition, we are only inclined towards evil.  In fact, no man is good in himself, not even a believer.  This is why we are told to put off the old man and be renewed in the spirit of our minds as we put on the new man.

• Ephesians 4:22-24  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

There is no such thing as true self-righteousness and it is vanity to think that one can attain righteousness or true goodness by their own efforts. 

• Romans 3:10-12  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  (11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  (12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Only God is good; and Christ, the Word, is God.

• Mark 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
• John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The “Achilles’ heel” of pride in a believer

A major deceit, that can ensnare believers, comes from lack of understanding between the flesh and the Spirit.

Satan uses false doctrines of devils that appeal to natural pride, teaching that to live godly is possible, simply by deciding to love God, to be holy, stop sinning, refrain from anger, try to show kindness, do good works, become a bible teacher, point out where everyone else is wrong, etc.   The individual may be saved and zealous of good works, but lacking in knowledge, because they have not yet studied to put on the mind of Christ, the armour of God and that strength in the Lord which comes from the power of his might and enables us to stand against the wiles of the devil.  

They have not yet realised that godliness cannot come from what we do in the body, in the flesh, but can only come from knowing God, through his word and having put on the mind of Christ.  They may believe that they have Holy Spirit empowerment to perform in a godly way, without very much bible study, but this is not the case. 

How to live godly, in Christ

We can only live godly in Christ by putting on the mind of Christ, and that only comes through studying the word of God, rightly divided, through prayer and through edification of the saints, in love.  This is why members of the church which is Christ’s body, meet together, as part of God’s instruction for how we are to be built up and strengthened, no more tossed about with every wind of doctrine and strengthened with might in the inner man, able to perform the work that he has called us to do.

• Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Putting on the new man, the mind of Christ, takes humility, time, dedication and effort, none of which can be motivated by self, but which comes from unwavering faith in God, and the fact that his word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  It requires submission to the fact that, in order to be a workman that is approved of God and needs not to be ashamed, it is necessary to study, rightly dividing the word of truth.  Study is personal, not just listening to bible teachers or reading publications like this one, but prayerfully searching the scriptures to determine what is true, and what God’s will is for us in this age of grace.

Don’t run before being able to walk

It might seem obvious, that in trying to run before being able to walk, a fall is inevitable. That’s an easy concept when thinking about a baby and physical walking, but as new believers, babes in Christ, we first need to learn how to walk in Christ, yielding to his living spiritual word working effectually in us.  This is the only way we can successfully run the race and finish our course, not under our own steam (in the flesh), but knowing that we are mere vessels of clay and it is God who works in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

• Philippians 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

But our hearts can deceive us and be so easily lifted up with pride. And we know what comes before a fall.  

• Proverbs 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

It can be such a wonderful experience as we begin to see the truth in God’s word, rightly divided.  Confusion is quickly cleared up in so many areas and we feel incredibly blessed to know our position in Christ and that we have been set free from sin and the bondage of the law.  However, the reality is that while God would have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth, we all begin with very little knowledge when we are first saved, and this is a particular danger for new believers.  Novices, who are not yet established in doctrine, are more vulnerable to Satan’s devices and can more easily be lifted up with pride, just as Lucifer was lifted up with pride.  Pride is a trap, a snare that serves Satan’s purpose and for which the Devil is condemned.  This is why a leader in a church, must not be a novice.

• 1 Timothy 3:6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  

Don’t cut corners in pursuit of godliness

It is folly to seek a short-cut to godliness via the flesh.  Instead we must seek to put on the mind of Christ through doctrine, praying for one another to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

• Colossians 1:9-10  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

We can only walk worthy and pleasing to God if our walk based on knowledge of his will.  God’s word is spirit and truth and all scripture is profitable for doctrine, throughly furnishing us unto all good works.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It is by reading what Christ revealed to Paul, that we gain understanding about the dispensation of the grace of God, the revelation of the mystery which in other ages was not made known. 

• Ephesians 3:2-5  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  (3)  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (4)  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The character of the old man is not nice

Even atheists and those who blaspheme and hate God, agree the following (all characteristics of the old man) are harmful to society and individuals: anger, wrath, malice, envy, strife, hatred, murders, covetousness, extortion, false witness, theft, wickedness, deceit, pride, high-mindedness and self-conceit, fornication, adultery, malignity (mischievousness), boasting, inventing evil things, disobedience to parents, slander, being merciless, covenant breakers, unaffectionate, truce breaking, unthankfulness, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierceness, despising those who are good, betrayal (as traitors), heady or rash behaviour, drunkenness, etc..  

The rule of law has a purpose

We learn from God’s word that all the attributes and behaviours of the old man stem from our inherited sin nature.  If man’s sinfulness was not under some form of control, the result would be absolute chaos and breakdown of society across the entire world.  Mankind would self-destruct and God’s plan of redemption in heaven and earth would not be fulfilled.

Even though Satan is the god of this world, the powers that be are ordained of God, and so we are told to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates and pray for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.  

• Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
• Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

These rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil that would otherwise destroy mankind.  God has not allowed that to happen, because it is his will that the gospel be preached and that all men be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.

• 1 Timothy 2:3-4  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Law and order go hand in hand; without law in a country, there would be no order, no code of conduct, no moral and behavioural standards, no justice and no protection for the innocent. Conflict, suffering and death would spiral out of control in a society without the rule of law, without a legal system and the power to enforce the law.  But the law is weak, through the flesh, exposing sinfulness and condemning all mankind. By its deeds, no man is justified. 

Limitations of law

Even in countries where there is an apparent rule of law, prisons are still needed, conflict still arises, inequalities exist between rich and poor, bad things happen and people suffer.  The laws of the land are routinely broken, simply proving that people don’t fundamentally change because there are laws.  

While most people try to stick to the rules, we can’t change our identity or who we are; we can’t change our human nature.  We can only work to keep it under control, for our own good, for the good of others, and to avoid the penalties of the law, from a parking ticket, all the way to life in prison, or in some countries, to the death penalty.  

The law does not change people, it only modifies behaviour.  What is needed is a complete new identify and mind, and therefore a new nature.

The evil of godliness in the flesh

There is true godliness, which only God himself is capable of.  And there is a form of godliness, which denies the power of God and is the hallmark of proud men who love themselves.

• 2 Timothy 3:2-5  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

In general terms, religious “Christianity” teaches that once a person believes in Christ, they become empowered to live a godly life; empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness, to speak the right things and to stop sinning.  All they are asked to do is to submit to his control. For example, Pentecostals believe this power is given to them when they receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  When they become aware of a sin, the idea is that they are prompted by the Holy Spirit, who brings certain law-based verses to mind that scare the person regarding the danger of their condition. For example:

• 1 John 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 
• 1 John 3:6  Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
• 1 John 3:9  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
• Hebrews 10:26-27  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

They repent and confess their sin(s), again according to doctrine for the circumcision.

• Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
• 1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

They believe, as a result of their confession and repentance, that they’ve received cleansing; their hatred for sin is recovered and they believe that they have suceeded in restoring their relationship with Christ.  Such people are not trusting in the gospel of Christ’s death burial and resurrection as payment for all sins; they do not understand, and therefore do not trust, in the power of Christ’s shed blood as sufficient but, are trusting in the sufficiency of their own confession and the sincerity of their repentance for a “restored” relationship with Christ.   

These people are trusting in works of the law, tidying up their lifestyles, saying sorry to God and committing to do better, not realising, no matter how sincere or zealous they are, that this is nothing more than vanity, that those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  

• Romans 8:7-8  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

If such people had placed their trust in the gospel, they would be members of Christ’s body and have already received redemption through his shed blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

The identity and nature of a believer

God has provided something far better than law.  It is called grace, the opposite of the law.  The law shows us how sinful we are, whereas grace gives us a brand new identity in Christ and the means to put on a new mind, the mind of Christ, so that our nature is changed.  

We are born with the spirit of man and so we gradually learn how to follow the course of this world, yielding our members, our bodies, to the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  We naturally act according to who we are.

However, the moment we believe the gospel, and therefore place our trust in Christ, we are baptised into his body and have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us.  

• 1 Corinthians 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
• Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

From that moment on, our identity is no longer in Adam, but in Christ.  We are no longer condemned by the law because, in Christ, we are no longer walking after the flesh to do the things of the law, but after the Spirit.

• Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We are no longer slaves to our old Adamic nature, compelled to sin in our flesh, but we are told to reckon the old man dead, not to yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but to yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

• Romans 6:11-13  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Position and condition are not the same

As a member of the body of Christ, we have a new identity and a brand new life in Christ.  We are no longer in Adam, but in Christ.  This is a positional truth, but most Christians struggle to understand how they should now think and live. A battle begins, between the flesh and the spirit, as the principalities and powers we wrestle with try to undermine the truth.  

• Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan’s minsters of righteousness teach that we are now empowered to please God, by keeping his commandments, being baptised, giving tithes to the church, regularly confessing our sins and repenting, etc.  
However, try as we might, we cannot please God in the flesh.  That was true, even for the Apostle Paul, who recognised that in his flesh was no good thing, such that in his flesh, he was not able to perform that which is good.

• Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
• Romans 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

So any battle to clean up the flesh, to make it look like it has changed and has lost all those horrible sinful traits, should stop immediately.  It is vain self-righteousness, pride which God hates.  Our position in Christ is established forever, from the moment we trust in the gospel of Christ.  But we begin as babes and our condition requires growth in the knowledge of Christ.  By coming unto the knowledge of the truth, we gain wisdom and spiritual understanding to be able to effectively serve God.

Growing in the knowledge of Christ

Just as a child grows in knowledge, to become a man, so we must grow in the knowledge of Christ when we get our new identity and our new life in Christ.  By putting on the mind of Christ, we naturally (rather than in a forced way), adopt his character rather than that of Adam. 

New identity, new nature

What stark contrast, yet unattainable in the flesh (man’s natural state), would be a character and society genuinely motivated by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meeknees, temperance, humbleness of mind, longsuffering, charity, patience, comfort for the feebleminded, support for the weak, patience toward all men.  Against such character there is no law.  Even the ungodly know there is no need to legislate against such a character.  In fact everyone would like to possess these qualities and live in a world where this was the natural state of all mankind.

Character matters when preaching the gospel

By study, prayer and being edified together in the body of Christ, he would have us take on board sound doctrine which works effectually in us that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we should shine as lights in the world;  Holding forth the word of life;

• Philippians 2:15-16  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  (16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

By the knowledge of Christ, we can reckon our old man dead, the flesh crucified with Christ and alive unto God.

• Romans 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Obedience from the heart requires knowledge of doctrine

Through God’s word we gain knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding. This is how, as saved individuals with the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, we put on the mind of Christ; transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we naturally have the mind and character of Christ; servants of righteousness, obeying, not from the flesh, but from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to us from Christ through the Apostle Paul.

• Romans 6:18-23  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.  (20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  (21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  (22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  (23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  Our position as a believer is that we have been baptized into Christ, we have our identity in Christ and have put on Christ.
• Galatians 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

However, we do not have an unction from the Holy One, that we know all things.  Instead, we are instructed to actively put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

• Romans 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The moment we trust in the gospel of Christ we are quickened together with him in our mortal flesh, and raised to newness of life.  Our old man is crucified with Christ and so we are instructed to put off the character of the old man and to put on the new man, renewed in knowledge, after the image of Christ. 

• Colossians 3:8-10 KJV  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  (9)  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  (10)  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Conclusions

Regardless of how hard we try, or how sincere and zealous we are, we cannot please God by the efforts of our flesh.  In fact, God cannot and will not accept the works of the flesh; no flesh will glory in God’s presence. 

God will not bless the efforts of the flesh, even if they have a form of godliness.  Whether they be individual charitable acts or whole ministries purporting to preach the gospel to the lost, they are contrary to God and will not serve his purpose if they are man’s work and not God’s work.  They might appear to succeed, for example by professions of belief in Christ, by growth in numbers or other metrics by which man measures success.  But God knows the heart and how whole denominations can be deceived.  

Religious work in the flesh does not serve God but it serves man’s ego and Satan’s goal to undermine the simplicity of the gospel, which requires trust in the fact that Christ alone did all the work for our salvation and sanctification. 

• 1 Corinthians 1:29-31  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  

There is no room for anyone to glory in God’s presence.  We should glory in him alone because it is by him alone that we have salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,

• 2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Why does it matter?

If a person is in Christ from the moment they trust the gospel, does it really matter how they progress from that point?  Surely, as long as they are trying to live godly and trying to teach others the gospel that’s all good; or is it?

The answer is no.  Most denominations agree that the Christian life should be characterised by godly attributes and the absence of sinful works of the flesh.  However, while God has made full provision in Christ for our salvation and sanctification, religion fails to acknowledge that only God is good, so it arrogantly pursues godliness by trying to change the flesh and its behaviour.  This is a subtle yet devastating deception which undermines the gospel and ignores the fact that, in the flesh it is impossible to please God, and that by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  

Religion’s method for dealing with sin and the need to live godly, is to regularly confess sin, repent, be baptised, take communion, give money, do good works and keep commandments to be righteous, in a right relationship with God.  This is deception, hypocrisy and vanity. It matters because it also blinds men’s eyes to the truth of the gospel of Christ.

Satan, the father of lies, promotes confusion about what the Christian life should look like.  He has a purpose in doing so; his ministers of righteousness advocate that living godly means doing good, keeping the commandments and performing works for righteousness by the efforts of our flesh.

Contrawise, in this age of grace, the pattern for Christian living is according to the mystery of godliness: good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them; a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned by others as  self-righteous and hypocritical.

• Titus 2:7-8  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  (8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Our good works, therefore, must be based on uncorrupted doctrine, taken seriously and with sincerity, so that we have sound speech, not the words that man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

• 1 Corinthians 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

To be pleasing to God, our works require us to study God’s word.  This, and only this, is how we are perfected in our thinking, to become throughly furnished or fully equipped unto all good works.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We are in Christ, we have the life of Christ and only Christ is Godly.  This is the mystery of godliness.  God was manifest in the flesh, but justified in the Spirit, not in the flesh.  Likewise, we are not justified in the flesh, but in the Spirit of God that dwells in us.

• 1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

As we put on the mind of Christ, by study, prayer and meeting together to edify one another in love, the doctrine begins to work effectually in us.  In doing so, we realise that we cannot please God or be justified in the flesh but, rather, by reckoning our old man dead and yielding our members to the Spirit of Christ within us, the life we live now in the flesh becomes “not I, but Christ that liveth in me”.

• 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. 

Our goal and reasonable service, is to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, fully yielded to serve God not according to our flesh, but according to the mind of Christ.  

For that reason, we must study, pray and meditate on God’s word, in order to know what the mind of Christ is. There is no room for guesswork, imagination or experiment to see what works.  Instead, we just need simple faith, believing and therefore acting according to God’s word.  This is God working effectually in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure; and it is to his glory and not ours.