Goals and Dreams and Plans, God's Way

2 Cor 5:9 – we make it our aim to be well pleasing to him

Mat 25:14-30 well done good and faithful servant – one talent is soul, purpose is to honor Christ – we trade with the master’s stock – Is 49:4

Gal 3:3 – if the idea is to please God, but not by the law, then by what? Obedient to what?

Rom 12 – MH: It is Christ living in the soul by faith that makes the body a living sacrifice, Gal. 2:20, there must be that real holiness which consists in an entire rectitude of heart and life, by which we are conformed in both to the nature and will of God, God does not impose upon us any thing hard or unreasonable, but that which is altogether agreeable to the principles of right reason. The mind must be renewed for him. This is pressed (v. 2): "Be you transformed by the renewing of your mind; see to it that there be a saving change wrought in you, and that it be carried on.’’ Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. It is the same with making a new heart and a new spirit-new dispositions and inclinations, new sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will of God, and the affections made spiritual and heavenly: so that the man is not what he was-old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs. The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life, Prov. 4:23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure. Metamorphousthe — Be you metamorphosed. The transfiguration of Christ is expressed by this word (Mt. 17:2), when he put on a heavenly glory, which made his face to shine like the sun; and the same word is used 2 Co. 3:18, where we are said to be changed into the same image from glory to glory. This transformation is here pressed as a duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: we could as soon make a new world as make a new heart by any power of our own; it is God’s work, Eze. 11:19; 36:26, 27. to know the excellency of the will of God by the experience of a conformity to it - those are best able to prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, who are transformed by the renewing of their mind. . It disposes the soul to receive and entertain the revelations of the divine will. The promise is (Jn. 7:17), If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine. A good wit can dispute and distinguish about the will of God; while an honest, humble heart, that has spiritual senses exercised, and is delivered into the mould of the word, loves it, and practises it, and has the relish and savour of it. Thus to be godly is to surrender ourselves to God.

Phil 3:14 - Live up to what we’ve already attained – attained god’s full acceptance but never live out full measure of Christ’s goodness and love – confident in salvation but avoid pride and complacency that inhibit growth in grace (MH: The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit.)

The work that God will complete in us- saving us- positional vs. progressive sanctification – only when we stand before Him in heaven 1 Jn will we be like him.

Phil 2:12-13 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling – acknowledging his call by our surrender and obedience – it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. And NO WHINING MH: It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. God is ready to concur with his grace, and assist our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must use our utmost endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God. His grace works in us in a way suitable to our natures, and in concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of God’s grace in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to quicken and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for he worketh in you.’’ All our working depends upon his working in us. God’s extending an offer of help and don’t fool around with the man upstairs cuz TAKE AWAY - "Do not trifle with God by neglects and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your endeavours prove in vain. Work with fear, for he works of his good pleasure.’’—To will and to do: he gives the whole ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, Isa. 26:12. Of his good pleasure. As there is no strength in us, so there is no merit in us. As we cannot act without God’s grace, so we cannot claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God’s good will to us is the cause of his good work in us; and he is under no engagements to his creatures, but those of his gracious promise.

Phil 3:6-10 To serve him in costly ways – Paul loses Jewish priv, jailed, etc.

eph 4:24 – put off the old man, put on the new