The Grace of Confession, Part 15
04-08-26 the grace of confession 15
Theological Outline: The Grace of Confession, Part 15 / The World System, Part 2
I. Introduction and Opening Prayer
A. Opening Remarks and Technical Difficulties
The speaker greets the audience and explains the absence of visual slides due to a technical issue where the QR code and the correct slide presentation disappeared.
Despite attempts to resolve the issue (e.g., emailing the file), the decision was made to proceed with the teaching to avoid wasting time.
The speaker notes that this is one of the rare times a technical difficulty has occurred.
B. Call to Silent Prayer (Rebound)
The speaker transitions to the customary moment of silent prayer.
This study is identified as #15 in the Grace of Confession series.
The purpose of silent prayer is reiterated:
It is based on 1 John 1:9 .
Known sin breaks fellowship with God and interrupts the filling of the Holy Spirit (not the indwelling).
When out of fellowship, a believer cannot perceive doctrine.
God provided a way to restore fellowship and the filling of the Spirit: Confession.
Definition of Confession: Naming and citing any known sin to God.
Scripture Reference: 1 John 1:9 - "He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This restoration of fellowship is instant, analogous to how salvation is instant upon believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. Audible Prayer
The speaker leads in audible prayer, asking the Father for the Holy Spirit to open hearts to the truth, for power and authority to teach His Word, and for grace.
II. Review and Context: Overcoming the World
A. Main Passage for the Topic
The previous study concluded by starting the topic of "the lust of the flesh" as part of the three major drives of the cosmic system.
The speaker directs the audience to the primary passage that is being analyzed from the previous lessons.
Scripture Reference: 1 John 5:4-5.
This is the third verse from the epistle of 1 John that is often misused to prove the book is a series of salvation tests.
The speaker reiterates the doctrinal position that 1 John is about fellowship for believers, not a test for salvation.
The passage is also being used to launch the next sermon series, "The Glory of God's Grace."
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:4-5 - "For whosoever has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
B. Interpretation and Application of 1 John 5:4-5
Doctrinal Point: This verse teaches who has the capacity to overcome the world (i.e., believers).
Definition of "the world": It refers to the cosmic system, which is Satan's system of operation, not the physical planet or its people.
Warning: The verse is not a test to see if someone is saved. We should not evaluate other people's spiritual walks.
You cannot determine if someone is saved by looking at them or their behavior, as they could be out of fellowship or in reversionism.
It is not our place to create or administer tests for salvation.
Danger: This leads to judging others by our own personal norms and standards.
Application: We must be concerned with our own spiritual walk, working out our "own salvation with fear and trembling."
Conclusion on the verse: It explains how believers can experience victory in the Christian life.
III. The Cosmic System and its Three Major Drives
A. Defining the Cosmic System
The speaker restarts the teaching on the drives of the cosmic system, beginning again with "the lust of the flesh" for a complete presentation.
Definition of the Cosmic System: A system designed to promote:
1. Independence from God.
2. Lust patterns.
3. Human viewpoint thinking.
Clarification: The primary goal of the kingdom of darkness is not merely to promote gross immorality (e.g., getting drunk, X-rated movies).
Misconception: Many believe that avoiding such overt sins means they are not operating in the cosmic system.
Doctrinal Point: The cosmic system is, first and foremost, about promoting independence from God. Satan would be content with a moral, utopian world under his own control where he gets the credit.
Principle: Anything an unbeliever can do (like living a moral life) cannot be the essence of the supernatural Christian life. Many unbelievers live more moral lives than some Christians.
Balance: This is not a promotion of immorality. The point is that focusing only on avoiding external, gross sins is a misunderstanding of the spiritual battle. The core issue is dependence on God.
B. Scripture Introducing the Three Drives
Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:15-17 .
Scripture Reading: "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and lust of eyes and boastful pride of life is not from Father, but it is from world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts. But the one who does the will of God continues to live forever."
C. Deeper Dive into the Meaning of "World" (Cosmos)
The three major drives are: (1) the lust of the flesh, (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life.
John is not talking about the physical planet or telling us not to love the people of the world.
Definition of Cosmos/Cosmic Thinking: An organized system of thought, values, priorities, ambitions, and desires that operate in opposition to God.
It is a way of thinking that leaves God out.
It exalts self.
It glorifies independence from divine authority.
It appeals to the fallen tendencies of the sin nature.
Interpretation of "Do not love the world": The verb carries the idea of stopping an ongoing attachment or refusing to cultivate one.
This is about inward orientation and affection of the heart, not merely outward conduct. It is a warning against setting one's heart on that which is hostile to God's plan.
The Core Issue for the Believer: The issue is not salvation, but whether the believer's love, priorities, and mental attitude are being shaped by the Father or by the cosmic system. We are always moving either forward or backward.
Function of the Three Drives: These three categories summarize the avenues through which the world system seduces human beings and seeks to draw the believer away from occupation with Christ. This is crucial for understanding how to glorify God, which is the subject of the next series.
The Purpose of the Christian Life: Salvation is not just about getting to heaven. If it were, believers would be taken to heaven at the moment of faith. We are left on earth to be vessels of God's grace and to glorify Him with our lives.
D. The First Drive: The Lust of the Flesh (Review)
Greek Word Study: "Lust" is epithumia (E-P-I-T-H-U-M-I-A).
Definition: A desire, craving, strong impulse, or longing.
The word itself is not always sinful, but in the context of 1 John 2, it is used negatively.
"Of the flesh": Refers to the fallen human nature (the sin nature) and the cravings that arise from human corruption.
Definition: "The lust of the flesh" speaks of inner cravings that demand satisfaction apart from the will of God; the urge to gratify oneself on one's own terms.
Supporting Scripture: Galatians 5:16-17.
Scripture Reading: "But I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for they are in opposition to one another in order to keep you from doing whatever you want."
Doctrinal Principle: There is a constant battle in every believer between the flesh (sin nature) and the Spirit (new nature).
Application: You do not battle the flesh with the flesh.
Christianity is not a self-help or self-reformation program based on willpower or a list of "dos and don'ts." This approach leads to failure and disillusionment.
The solution is to "walk by the Spirit." When you fail, you use 1 John 1:9 to confess, get back up, and move on without condemnation.
Struggling with desires contrary to God does not mean you are failing; it is an expected part of the Christian life due to our sin nature and the fallen world. We must resist the devil and learn God's Word.
IV. The Foundational Prerequisites for Spiritual Growth
A. The Pastor’s Approach to Counseling Believers
When believers come to the speaker for advice about struggles, the first question is not about their behavior or lifestyle.
The First and Foremost Question: "How much of the Word of God do you take in? How often are you studying the Word of God?"
The Follow-up Question: "How are you studying the Word of God?"
Are you just reading the Bible yourself?
Do you have a pastor-teacher? A communicator of doctrine who teaches from the original languages, categorically, and isagogically?
Conclusion: If the answer is "no," there is no need to analyze other problems in their life. The primary goal must be to establish a consistent intake of sound Bible doctrine.
Going to church on Sunday occasionally is "not enough."
The speaker will "pin someone down right to that point."
(This advice is for believers; for an unbeliever, the conversation is about the gospel and regeneration).
B. The Non-Negotiable Need for Doctrine and the Spirit-Filled Life
Requirement 1: Consistent Intake of Bible Doctrine.
A daily intake is the goal. Excuses about not having time are invalid.
The speaker uses his own demanding schedule as an example.
This does not mean 20-25 hours a week, but a consistent hour or half-hour a day is achievable and necessary.
Without this, other problems will not be fixed.
Requirement 2: The Filling of the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians are unaware of "rebound" (confession via 1 John 1:9). This is a foundational problem that must be corrected.
The Two Pillars: If a believer is not consistently filled with the Spirit and consistently metabolizing doctrine, no other advice will help.
The speaker states he wouldn't even pray for their specific situation, but rather pray that God would open their heart to the importance of His Word.
Prayer alone, without the believer's positive volition to doctrine, is not a magic fix.
People fail because "they don’t know the scriptures and they don’t know the power of God."
C. The Role of the Pastor-Teacher
God has a plan for every believer and will provide a communicator of doctrine for those with positive volition.
This does not have to be a head pastor of a physical church. The speaker notes that people consider him their pastor-teacher through his online ministry.
The speaker’s "Strength for Today" posts are an example of this ministry bearing fruit in people's lives.
The Role Defined: God assigns a communicator of doctrine to you, and you must submit to that person's teaching.
What a Pastor-Teacher is NOT: Someone who runs your life, gives you rules, or tells you how to live.
What a Pastor-Teacher IS: Someone who communicates and teaches doctrine. The believer then has the free will to accept or reject that teaching, to apply it or not. The pastor's job is to teach; the application is the believer's responsibility and "none of my business."
Summary: The repetitive emphasis on the filling of the Spirit and doctrine intake is because they are the absolute foundation of the Christian life.
V. Review: The Lust of the Flesh (Continued)
A. Introduction to the Flesh
The flesh has desires, impulses, and cravings.
The Christian life is not about pretending these drives don't exist.
It is about recognizing them, understanding them, and refusing to let them rule.
Scripture Reference: Romans 13:14
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust."
This was the subject of a "Strength for Today" Facebook post from a couple of weeks prior to April 8, 2026.
Definition: "Provision" means "before thought."
We often don't just "fall" into sin; there are steps that lead to it.
The root cause is not walking in the Spirit.
The Bible says every person is led astray by "his own lusts."
It is not a case of "the devil made me do it." The devil has a role in the cosmic system, designing a world to appeal to our flesh, but he doesn't make you do anything. You do everything on your own.
Principle: Do not feed what God says must be denied.
B. Application: The Flesh and Pressure
The lust of the flesh often appears when pressure comes.
When a person is lonely, tired, frustrated, bored, angry, or disappointed, the flesh demands relief.
The world system offers a counterfeit solution to satisfy the flesh.
It says: "Satisfy yourself, indulge yourself, medicate yourself, avenge yourself, escape reality; do whatever it takes to feel better."
The Believer's Response:
The answer to inner pressure is not fleshly gratification.
It is dependence on the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Deception of the Flesh:
The flesh always promises relief but produces bondage.
The more one goes to the world system to relieve the lusts of the flesh, the more it will demand.
It satisfies for a little bit, but it is never enough.
Analogy: Addiction (Alcohol and Drugs)
An alcoholic can drink an amount that would kill a non-drinker because they have built up a tolerance.
The same is true for illicit drugs. A person can build up a tolerance where it always takes more to get the same effect.
Eventually, the "high goes away," and the person becomes dependent on the drug just to avoid getting sick.
Illustration: In hospitals, alcoholics experience DTs (delirium tremens) after 2-3 days without alcohol, which can be deadly (seizures).
This is what the flesh does: it demands, satisfies a little, but always needs more, ultimately producing bondage.
VI. The Lust of the Eyes
A. Definition and Scope
This is the next drive. The Greek word is again epithumia , meaning "a desire, a craving."
Here, the avenue is the eyes.
It refers to desires stimulated by what is seen: temptation arising from visual attraction, appearance, or external form. It's about what looks appealing, impressive, glamorous, desirable, or advantageous.
The eyes become the gateway through which covetousness enters the soul.
Important: It is not limited to sexual temptation (e.g., pornography). It includes much more.
The lust of the eyes includes:
Envy
Covetousness
Materialism
Greed
Jealousy
The constant craving for what we see others possess.
It is a mindset that says, "I want it. I must have it."
It is a soul captured by the visible rather than governed by doctrine. This is why scripture warns about walking by faith, not by sight.
The eyes can be servants of truth or instruments of temptation.
B. Biblical Example: Achan
Scripture Reference: Joshua chapter 7
The story of Achan who hid treasure in his tent.
Scripture Reading: Joshua 7:16-19
Joshua confronts Achan.
Joshua 7:19: "Then Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord the God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.'"
Scripture Reading: Joshua 7:20-21 (Achan's Confession)
Joshua 7:20-21 : "So Achan answered Joshua and said, 'Truly I have sinned against the Lord the God of Israel. And, this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil, a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight. Then I coveted them and I took them, and behold, they are concealed on the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.'"
This is a clear example of the lust of the eyes. He saw, he coveted, he took.
C. The Progression and Power of Visual Temptation
There is a progression to the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh.
Biblical Example: Eve
Scripture Reference: Genesis 3
Eve "saw that the tree was good for food" (lust of the flesh), "it was a delight to the eyes" (lust of the eyes), and "it was desirable to make one wise" (boastful pride of life).
Genesis 3 contains all three drives in one passage.
The world system still works the same way today. It:
1. Packages rebellion attractively.
2. Makes disobedience look beautiful.
3. Makes compromise look reasonable.
4. Makes the temporal look ultimate.
The lust of the eyes is especially powerful in our modern culture, built on images, advertising, comparisons, and outward appearance.
Illustration: Social media (Facebook, Instagram) is about "flexing" what people have, leading others to look and covet.
This temptation is worse now than 50-60 years ago because of technology.
The world system is constantly "preaching visual sermons," telling people what success, beauty, happiness, importance, and fulfillment look like.
If a believer is not grounded in doctrine, they will measure life by appearance rather than divine viewpoint.
D. Application: Guarding the Eyes
Learn contentment and doctrinal discernment.
Guard what you feed your mind through your eyes.
Refuse to let appearance become your standard of truth.
Learn that what "glitters is often spiritually dead."
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11
This chapter reminds us that Moses chose the invisible and eternal over the visible and temporal.
This is the "Faith Chapter" or "Hall of Fame."
It is motivational and inspirational.
It leads into Hebrews 12, which instructs us to fix our eyes on Jesus.
The Central Battle: Will we live by what we see, or will we live by what God has said?
VII. The Boastful Pride of Life
A. Definition and Word Study
This is the third drive.
Greek Word Study: The word for "life" here is bios, not zoe.
Zoe refers to the abundant life God wants for us (as taught by Pastor Bob [McLaughlin]).
Bios refers to the means of temporal life: one's livelihood, possessions, status, and outward appearance.
The phrase "boastful pride" carries the idea of arrogance, boasting, pretension, and bragging.
Definition of "The Pride of Life":
"The arrogance that centers on what one has, what one does, what one has achieved, what one possesses, and how one appears in the eyes of others."
Definition of Arrogance:
Seeking anything outside of God's will for our life; trying to do things our own way, outside of God's divine purpose and order.
The pride of life is self-exaltation of human life apart from dependence on God.
It is finding one's identity in: status, image, accomplishments, possessions, influence, titles, recognition, and applause.
It is arrogance disguised as success; a soul deriving significance from temporal things.
Principle: The closer you get to God, the more you will recognize the things you were using to substitute for Him.
B. The Subtlety of Pride
The boastful pride of life may be the most subtle of the three drives.
A person can be filled with pride of life and still appear moral, disciplined, accomplished, and even religious—even while teaching Bible doctrine.
It is not always gross sin; it is self-sufficiency.
It's an attitude that says, "I am something because of what I have, what I built, what I own, what I know, who I influence, and how I compare to others."
The moment you go down that road, the cosmic system is dragging you away.
Warning: Never get comfortable or impressed by what you do. Be impressed by God and what He has done.
Clarification on Humility:
This doesn't mean a false sense of humility where you can't accept a compliment.
Response to a compliment: "Thank you very much. That's the grace of God on display in my life. Thank you. Glory to God for that, and I appreciate it."
False humility is arrogance in itself. "Some people are very proud of how humble they are."
C. The Danger of Pride
Scripture strikes strongly against arrogance.
Scripture Reference: Proverbs (paraphrased): "Pride goes before destruction."
Scripture Reference: James (paraphrased): "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Reflection: To be proud means God is in opposition to you. "I don't want to live a life where God is in opposition to me."
The pride of life is deadly because it directly attacks grace.
Grace says: Everything we have comes from God.
Pride says: "I am the source, I am the reason, and I deserve the credit."
It comes back to "creature credit," which is what the devil wants.
This was the heart of Satan's fall.
Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar
He looked at Babylon and said, "Is this not Babylon the great which I myself has built?"
This is the pride of life.
The boastful pride of life is a soul intoxicated with self-importance, glorifying a temporal life while ignoring the sovereignty and grace of God.
D. Application and Final Exhortation
The application here is deep.
It's important to internalize these questions and principles.
The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life can affect you at any point in time. This is why we learn these things.
VIII. The Necessity of Doctrinal Understanding (Continued)
A. Purpose of Learning About Sin
The purpose of learning about sin is not to induce guilt or shame, but to identify what takes us out of fellowship with God.
We must learn to identify the function of the arrogance and emotional complex of sins in our own lives.
B. Illustration: The Uninstructed Believer
A person whose life is a mess comes for advice.
The first question is: "How often do you study the Word of God?"
If they don't study, they cannot know key doctrines like:
The pride of life.
The lust of the flesh.
The lust of the eyes.
How to be filled with the Spirit.
The only way to learn these is through the Word of God.
C. Method of Learning
This is not about a religious duty (e.g., reading two chapters a day). It is about learning principles and categories by rightly dividing the Word of God.
This cannot be done on your own.
The speaker notes his own dependence on his pastor-teacher.
Attribution: He studies from Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin).
He listens to a study from Pastor Bob every night after teaching doctrine himself, emphasizing his own need for a teacher.
His pastor also had a teacher, showing a chain of doctrinal teaching.
IX. The Boastful Pride of Life: Self-Evaluation
A. A "Checkup from the Neck Up"
We must ask ourselves evaluative questions.
1. Question 1: "What gives me my sense of worth?" This requires real, honest evaluation.
2. Question 2: "What shakes me so badly whenever it's threatened?" What, if threatened, would unravel my life?
3. Question 3: "What am I secretly boasting in... of my accomplishments or something that I am proud of myself individually outside of God's power secretly?"
4. Question 4: "What do I need others to notice about me for me to feel significant?"
B. The Subtlety of Pride
These questions expose the pride of life, even if it's not currently a major issue. It often begins subtly.
The solution to pride is not false humility.
1. The solution is occupation with Christ and stabilization in grace.
2. When we understand who we are in Christ (our status, power, and God's grace), we no longer need to "build a tower to heaven" to feel valuable.
3. Understanding who God is and who we are in Christ is "more than sufficient" for our sense of worth.
X. The Three Worldly Drives in Synergy
A. How They Work Together
1. Lust of the flesh: Craves inward gratification.
2. Lust of the eyes: Is drawn to outward attraction.
3. Pride of life: Turns the other two into self-exaltation.
B. Comprehensive Strategy of the Cosmic System
Together, they form a comprehensive strategy of the world system (cosmic system) to pull on the sin nature and distract the believer from the plan of God.
This is why understanding these categories is crucial before studying how to glorify God and put His grace on display. We must recognize and overcome them.
XI. Biblical Examples of the Three Drives
A. The Temptation of Eve in Genesis
1. The tree was "good for food" — Lust of the flesh.
2. It was a "delight to the eyes" — Lust of the eyes.
3. It was "desirable to make one wise" — Boastful pride of life.
4. The Devil packaged it as God withholding something good from them ("God knows that in the day that you eat of it, your eyes will be opened."). This happened in a perfect environment.
B. The Temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4
1. The same pattern was directed at our Lord in the desert.
2. However, Jesus had no sin nature for the cosmic system to pull and no inward susceptibility.
3. Satan's temptations followed the same broad lines:
Appetite (lust of the flesh)
Display (lust of the eyes)
Exaltation (boastful pride of life)
4. Illustration of the Pride of Life Temptation: Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, which were his to give, in exchange for one act of worship.
5. The Devil's strategy is often just one small compromise, not a dramatic satanic ritual. He offers blessings in exchange for not acknowledging God.
C. The Lord's Method of Victory
1. Jesus overcame in His humanity (He was able to sin but did not).
2. His victory was through dependence on God's Word, repeatedly saying, "It is written."
3. Application: We must do the same in our lives.
Personal Illustration: The speaker's frustration with technical problems during the sermon. He wanted to throw the computer but had to remind himself he doesn't need these things; he needs God and has His Word hidden in his heart.
The principle is to not let anything distract or remove you from God's plan. If you stumble, get back up and keep moving forward.
XII. The World is Passing Away
A. Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:15-17
1. "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."
2. These drives do not originate from God's character, plan, or thinking.
3. "And the world is passing away, and also its lusts."
B. Theological Point
The present tense indicates the world system is already in the process of passing away. It is temporary and doomed.
C. Contrasts
The world system is passing away; God's will abides.
Lusts pass; doctrine remains.
Human applause fades; divine approval endures.
Temporal glamour dies; eternal truth lives forever.
D. Application for the Believer
1. We must learn to identify these drives in real time.
2. We must answer all three with doctrine.
3. We must refuse to let the cosmic system discipline our thinking ("checkup from the neck up").
4. We must evaluate our desires, attractions, and ambitions in light of God's character and our identity in Christ.
E. The Source of Victory
1. Victory is not found in legalism, asceticism, or human willpower.
2. Victory is found in spiritual growth, metabolized doctrine, occupation with Christ, and walking by means of the Holy Spirit.
3. Preview of "Glory of God's Grace" series: Mention of the three stages of spiritual adulthood: spiritual self-esteem, spiritual autonomy, and spiritual maturity.
Spiritual self-esteem is the goal for every new believer and is the hardest step ("the giant step").
Believers should not backtrack when momentum testing comes but keep moving forward.
4. "The more the soul is occupied with eternal realities, the less attractive the passing world becomes."
XIII. Resisting Conformity and Being Transformed
A. Scripture Reference: Romans 12:2
1. "And do not be conformed to this world..."
2. Greek Word Study: "Conformed" (suschematizo) means to be pressed into a mold. The world system is trying to shape you.
3. "...but be transformed..."
4. Greek Word Study: "Transformed" (metamorphou) is in the passive voice (you don't do the transforming). It's the word used for a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, signifying growth from an immature form to a mature one.
5. "...by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
XIV. The Means of Victory: Our Faith
A. Scripture Reference: 1 John 5:4
1. "For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."
B. Defining Faith as Doctrine
The means of victory is "our faith," which is defined here as metabolized doctrine—the body of that which we believe, not just the act of believing.
Greek Word Study: "Victory" is Nike (N-I-K-E), meaning conquest, triumph, or overcoming.
C. The Nature of Our Victory
We are designed by God to win the spiritual battle. The instrument is our faith.
Clarification: Faith is a non-meritorious system of perception, but the focus is on the object of our faith (the body of what we believe).
Analogy: The children of Israel in the wilderness heard the good news, but it didn't benefit them because it wasn't "mixed with faith" (Hebrews). You must believe the Scripture you read for it to have an effect.
D. Doctrinal Point: Faith Accesses Power
Faith does not produce power; it accesses God's power.
This refutes "word-of-faith" teachings ("name it, claim it"), which treat faith as a force to wish things into existence.
True faith accesses God's power, it does not produce our own.
XV. Two Aspects of Faith and the Grace Apparatus for Perception (G.A.P.)
A. First Aspect: Saving Faith
1. Scripture Reference: Acts 16:31 - "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household."
Clarification: The last part ("you and your household") doesn't mean a family is automatically saved if one member believes. It means the same offer of salvation is available to the household if they also believe.
2. Scripture Reference: John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
B. Second Aspect: Living by Faith
1. This means trusting God's promises, character, and plan.
2. Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
3. Faith operates most powerfully when doctrine is metabolized in the soul.
4. Scripture Reference: Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Hearing is the start, but not the whole process.
C. The Grace Apparatus for Perception (G.A.P.)
1. Attribution: Term coined by Pastor R.B. Thieme Jr., and also taught by Pastor Bob McLaughlin.
2. Defense of Terminology: Like "Problem Solving Devices" (e.g., Personal and Impersonal Unconditional Love), G.A.P. is a term used to categorize and explain a biblical process. It's a way to understand how academic knowledge (gnosis) becomes applicable wisdom (epignosis).
3. Definition of G.A.P.: The God-designed, grace-based system by which the believer learns, understands, and applies Bible doctrine after salvation.
4. Just as salvation is by grace through faith, spiritual growth operates on grace, not human ability.
5. G.A.P. emphasizes that Bible doctrine is spiritual information and cannot be perceived through human intellect alone.
XVI. The Mechanics of the Grace Apparatus for Perception
A. Prerequisite: Regeneration. You must be born again and possess a human spirit created by God to understand and apply Bible doctrine.
B. The Role of the Holy Spirit
1. The Holy Spirit is the true teacher.
2. When a believer hears doctrine with positive volition ("I believe this"), the Holy Spirit takes that information and converts it for the soul.
3. This is analogous to salvation, where the Holy Spirit takes a person's faith and makes it effective.
C. The Creation of the Human Spirit at Salvation
1. Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
v. 12: "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God." The human spirit allows us to understand spiritual information.
Doctrinal Point: This ability is not dependent on IQ, education, or intelligence. God has chosen the "foolish things" to confound the wise. Every believer has the capacity to grow to spiritual maturity.
v. 13: "we also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." (Further explanation to be given next week).
2. Debunking Misconceptions:
The phrase "ask Jesus into your heart" is not a biblical prescription for salvation.
Scripture Reference: Acts 16:31 teaches belief.
Scripture Reference: Revelation 3:20 ("Behold, I stand at the door and knock") is not about salvation for an unbeliever.
At salvation, the Holy Spirit first creates a temple; He cleans house before Christ indwells the believer.
XVII. Conclusion and Closing Prayer
A. Final Remarks
The lesson was successfully taught despite technical difficulties with the slides, proving that God's Word is what is essential.
B. Closing Prayer
1. Thanks to God for the opportunity to study His Word.
2. Affirmation that God's Word endures forever, is alive and powerful, and will accomplish its purpose.
3. Prayer for those present and listening to grow to spiritual maturity by trusting in God and His Word, not their own understanding.
4. Prayer for God to oppose the works of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, keeping believers on track and occupied with Christ.
5. A request for God's blessing and favor on each person. Amen.