Class Notes: 2/7/2021

Smyrna, the pivot for SPQR part 16; The faith rest drill

https://youtu.be/G86_98jr44c

Eph 6:10-12; Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His omnipotent power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

James 1:19-20; You know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Rom 12:18-21; If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We are in a study on Smyrna, the base of the pivot power for the first gentile client nation SPQR. When we stopped last time we were in Rev 2:10; that starts with the mandate to "fear nothing"

This took us to study of the faith rest drill where we noted last time that stage one of faith-rest mechanics, results in the believer beginning to prevent the outside pressures of life from penetrating into the soul. Faith claims God's promise; faith applies God's promises, fait; takes control of the situation.

The increase of the faith- rest drill in your life results in the increase of control over your thinking and your spiritual life. 2Cor 10:5;

Abraham, God's premier example of faith, used the first stage of faith mechanics, Rom 4:20-21, "Yet, he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, being fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able to execute."

When stage one of the faith-rest mechanics is fully operational, the believer fulfills 2Cor 5:7-8; "We walk by faith (God's viewpoint from the doctrine developed by the faith-rest drill) and not by sight (human viewpoint from empiricism and rationalism)" and we are courageous and would prefer to be absent from the physical body and at home face to face with the Lord

The second stage of the faith-rest mechanics requires a much stronger faith and a greater understanding of the word of God. A strong faith can apply doctrinal rationales to experience.

In the second stage, we have the development of a stronger faith through the perception of doctrine. With this perception of doctrine, the faith becomes strong enough to do more than just claim a promise from God. In the second stage, we begin to claim doctrinal rationales.

For stage two you need a stronger faith from consistent perception of Bible doctrine (post-salvation epistemological rehabilitation) which means metabolized doctrine circulating in the stream of consciousness.

You also need cognition of the whole range of doctrine, which gives the faith-rest drill the resources that are necessary to oppose the stress and pressures of life. This fulfills the concept of professionalism and integrity in the application of the protocol plan of God. Cognition of doctrine has two results related to the faith-rest drill.

Cognition of doctrine results in the development of a stronger faith. Rom 10:17; "Faith comes by hearing with positive volition] and hearing by the word of Christ." The word of God is the thinking of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Cor 2:16; Your faith has to become strong and be developed.

Cognition of doctrine results in the development of doctrinal rationales. A stronger faith claims doctrinal rationales once they are developed and circulating in the stream of consciousness. God does not permit the difficult situations in life to come along until you have at least had a chance to learn the doctrine necessary to deal with it. 1Cor 10:13;

The faith-rest mechanics of stage two are as follows. (1) Faith applies a doctrinal rationale. (2) Faith reaches doctrinal conclusions. (3) Faith takes control of the situation.

The second stage of the faith-rest mechanics demands an understanding of five areas of doctrine found in the Scripture: the essence of God rationale, the plan of God rationale, the policy of God rationale which is grace orientation, the a fortiori rationale, and the ten problem solving devices.

Doctrinal rationales begin to circulate in the stream of consciousness as a result of reaching spiritual adulthood. Lifting the shield of faith with the doctrinal rationales provides both the tranquility and contentment of soul when there is great pressure.

The essence of God rationale comes from learning about who and what God is, you develop a stronger faith. To mix your faith with the doctrine of divine essence gives you an advance in the faith-rest drill that is absolutely necessary for your spiritual advance.

Spiritual self-esteem is that status of the Christian life where the believer grows up spiritually so that he can advance into the second stage of the faith-rest mechanics. Spiritual self- esteem does not emphasize who and what we are as believers it emphasizes who and what God is. This is why the essence of God rationale is so important.

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