KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD

KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD

I Peter 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

How much of our walk with God does He control? How much do we control?

Perhaps thousands of discussions have taken place on the subject. Church camps have been divided over differences of opinion about it.

Indeed, there could be scriptures which would seem to favor almost any stance you would want to take.

A look at Gen 7:14-16 would lead us to believe that GOD CAUSED THE ANIMALS to come to the Ark-- two by two. Noah would have had a real job on his hands to round them up by himself. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD.

Moses, in his song (Exo 15) seems to favor the idea that the deliverance of Israel from the hand of Pharoah of Egypt was the hand of God. Of course, we know it was the result of a commitment which God had made to Abraham, recorded in Gen 15. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD.

Hannah, in her song said: I Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

David, in Psa 37 said: Psalms 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

Again, in Psa 51 he cried: Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

Psalms 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. Psalms 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

The key which unlocks the mystery is the phrase "KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH". Our job is to maintain Faith in Jesus for the well being of our soul. His job is to KEEP us, in response to that Faith.

Many people are struggling under a burden which the Lord did not put on them. Try as we might, we cannot KEEP ourselves from falling, or failure. Only He can do that. And He WILL, if we maintain Faith in Him.

Faith, of course, involves OBEDIENCE. But the obedience MUST BE TO HIM-- not to a creed or doctrine or a set of rules.

Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.

Psalms 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

I Peter 1:7 That the TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: