POSSESSING THE “MUTUAL FAITH” OF PAUL
Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
The Apostle Paul and God the Father’s desire is that all saints will become established in “all wisdom and understanding” of the Father’s will, and as Paul points out in verse 12; that not only will the saints be “established” in the basic fundamental doctrines, but that they will possess the same common thinking and understanding that Paul had concerning God’s word of truth. It is that Fatherly desire that your Father has for you also that you possess the same understanding and appreciation that Paul had concerning God’s word of truth. Now for some, this goal may seem unattainable, but if it was not, Paul and God the Father would never have the expectation and desire that the saints would be able to partake of this “fruit.” But just as Satan hindered Paul “oftentimes” from establishing the saints, we also have the things of this world that act as a hindrance in our getting our proper education and act as “stumbling blocks” in our way, and will lead us to believe that having the “mutual faith” that Paul possessed is beyond our reach, and will lead some to say that we can ‘never know the full council of God.’
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
However, this is not how God would have you to think, nor is that saying scriptural at all, but it is man’s response to biblical questions that he cannot answer because he himself has not been established in the fundamental truths of God’s word, and/or he has not grown in the doctrine according to godliness. But before the saint can be all that God expects him to be, he must follow the path that the Father has already laid for him to follow in His word. There is a Godly design found within your King James bibles, and the books of the bible are not placed in the order that they were written, but in the order that the “man of God” can grow into the knowledge of his will. And as we are established within the epistles of Romans thru Philemon, we also are to follow the ‘milk to meat’ progression that God has outlined for us in our epistles.
1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Co 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The “gift” spoken of in verse 7 is the same “spiritual gift” that Paul wanted to “impart” upon the Romans; and that is the saints will be established “unto the end.” And as Paul says, the saints already had the testimony of Christ “confirmed” within them, but being only justified was not the only thing that Paul wanted the saints to have, he wanted the saints to be “be enriched in him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.” The new saint must be instructed first in the doctrines found within Romans, then on to 1Corinthians doctrine, and then the 2Corinthians doctrine, then the Galatians doctrine once he has fully understood and appreciated the prior doctrines. And possessing this type of understanding and appreciation of God’s word will allow the son to enjoy his bible, and see how the word of God actually works effectually within him, and for him, contrary to what this world teaches. Moreover, this world teaches that the grace of God is shown by the circumstances in our life getting better, and that the ‘hand of God’ will guide them in their decision making and that God has a plan that He is working specifically through their life, and His grace is shown when things are going good in their lives, but when things are going really bad, they will say that are being tested of God. And this type of thinking is common among those who do not fully understand and appreciate Romans chapter 8 thru chapter 16; whereas God makes know to the saint that this “highminded” attitude is not how God would have you to think about yourself, and the “sufferings of this present time.”
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Having the proper understanding and appreciation of the scriptures gives the son “salvation” from the “evil men and seducers” of this world, and the “deceiving” doctrines that they preach concerning our “sufferings,” and lead one to believe that they are living a godly life if they are avoiding suffering and persecution, this is said to be what living a ‘blessed life’ is all about. But when the saint has not been properly established in Romans thru Galatians doctrine, then he will never be able to understand how to think like God does concerning these truths so that he can now move on to, and fully understand and appreciate Ephesians thru Colossians, and at this time the son is now able to think like God does as he allows God’s word to work in his life just how God intended.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Act 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The Father’s plan and purpose for the saint’s life is that they are ‘fed’ the proper doctrine, knowing that Satan also has a plan to have his men ‘lie in wait’ to deceive the saints by speaking “perverse things.” God knows that there is a Satanic attack against the saint’s edification, and He has left His word of truth to “build” us up as we grow into who God has made us to be “in Christ.” The Apostle Paul taught and established others who possessed the “mutual” understanding of God’s word that Paul possessed, and they were to teach and establish all saints in “all wisdom,” this is how a son becomes a “perfect man,” he has a “perfect” standing according to the knowledge of God’s word, and he is fully equipped to let His word work “effectually” within him.
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
God the Father expects a “perfecting” to take place within us to the intent that we will be “conformed to the image of His Son,” and this is His desire whether we “cry Abba Father” and have the desire to be instructed in “all wisdom” by His word or not. And as “sons” we cannot have the attitude of: “well I know what I know; I am saved and on my way to heaven, I will find out the rest when I get there.” We all use our time and energy to seek understanding and wisdom in other matters, regardless how big or small it may be, it could be watching the daily news; or gaining more insight on social matters; no matter how old or young we are, we all seem to have a desire to be ‘wise’ in this world and its affairs, and we don’t mind sharing to others how ‘wise’ we are, and we love to give advice and our opinion to others; almost not as often as we would like. So as you can see, we are always learning, and sharing things daily; but it is just not the things that our Father would have us to be involved in.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
However, this world and its wisdom and understanding serves as a hindrance to our ‘growing up’ unto a “perfect man,” and we are not fully able to put the “power of God” on display as we are designed to do as the “new creature” of God. And we all are to have the “unity of the faith” (the word unity has the same meaning as having togetherness), but some think only a select few can possess this type of understanding; like the Pastor/Teacher, which if they fully understand and appreciate “all wisdom” of God’s word, the saints with them will also come into this understanding of God’s word.
1Th 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1Th 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1Th 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
Finally, the thing that Paul did not want us to be ignorant of was Satan and this world’s desire to hinder your edification from growing, or stopping it from taking place at all. Paul was “let hitherto” “oftentimes,” as he sought to establish the saints, but as we well know Paul got the job done and finished his course, and as we are “let hitherto” daily, we are not to be “ignorant” of this world and Satan’s desire to keep us “ignorant” concerning possessing the “mutual faith” that is designed to establish us whereas we as sons can bring honor and glory unto God as a “perfect man” in Christ.
Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Php 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
Php 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Rod Jones