2 Thessalonians 1: 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
For those of us who know Christ as our Savior we are given the power through grace (future grace) to fulfill all of the good works that we resolve to perform. That is God is not only the power to save us (which is in itself more than I could ever deserve); but it is through His power and grace that I am empowered by faith in His promises to live out this Christian life that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be Glorified. His Glory through grace and faith to transform this covetous, regenerate heart into one that displays His Glory. For a deeper understanding of this I urge you to listen to the following sermon by John Piper– http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/living-by-faith-in-future-grace#/watch/full In this sermon, John Piper certainly explains this much better than I ever could. Let me present below the examples of how this works as taken from John Piper’s sermon. We make resolutions (resolve to perform good works or denounce sin in our lives through our free will); but the power to perform that comes only through faith and through the powerful works of God fulfilling it through us and for us.
Six Examples (from John Piper-please see permission note below)
- If you set your heart, to give sacrificially and generously, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). And the promise: “Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). And the promise: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
- If you set your heart to return good for evil, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11–12).
- If you set your heart to renounce pornography, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). “It is better that you tear out your eye than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29). Much better. Wonderfully better. All-satisfyingly better.
- If you set your heart to speak out for Christ when the opportunity comes, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour” (Matthew 10:19).
- If you set your heart to risk your life by ministering to the needy in a dangerous place, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). “Don’t fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. . . . Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:28–30).
- If you set your heart to invite some for Thanksgiving who cannot repay you, the power of God to fulfill this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise: “You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:13–14).
May God increase our daily faith in his inexhaustible, blood-bought, Christ-exalting future grace.
©2012 Desiring God Foundation. Used by Permission.
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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By John Piper. ©2012 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org