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"Let Go and Let God"

Discussion in 'Fundamental Baptist Forum' started by desertjim, Sep 8, 2012.

  1. desertjim

    desertjim New Member

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    How many of you remember that saying from a few decades back?

    How many of you interpreted it to mean, get saved, sit on your behind and let God do all the work?

    I did.

    Well, that phrase means the world to me at this point of my Christian walk. It is what I live by/for. It has only taken me sixty years to learn/accept it. I don't know how the person who coined it meant it, but I can share what it means to me.

    There is simply too much "going and doing", "dos and don'ts" and "busyness" in most churches today. It doesn't need to be that way if preachers would get down to nitty-gritty preaching and focus on "letting go and letting God".

    IF A PERSON HAS A CLOSE, CORRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, no one needs to tell him/her what to do or not to do. The HS will do that. Any idea man (you) puts forth is in the flesh and therefore not pleasing to God. However, if it is ordained of God, it is pleasing and will be successful.

    We can actually boil it all down to one word: OBEDIENCE!

    We, wordy as we are, may want to add a lot of junk to that word that isn't necessary, but most folks don't read their "owner's manual".

    God says: Study. God says pray! God says fellowship. God says to be in a constant attitude of prayer. God says yield. God says surrender. What is all that? It's obedience. If one obeys, one will be in the right relationship with the Lord and, as such, the HS will direct one's entire life.

    What if we get off track? Get back on by surrendering/yielding.

    What if we get off track again? Get back on by surrendering/yielding again.

    What if we get off track 47 times per day? Get back on by surrendering/yielding 47 times.

    Maybe in a few days, that will drop to 46? Maybe in a few more days that will drop to 45. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could, with the help of the HS, get that down to ZERO? Well, I'm not holding my breath, but I pray that you get the point. STOP TRYING! START SURRENDERING!

    In His Service,

    Jim
     
  2. Alive in Christ

    Alive in Christ New Member

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    Desertjim...

    Agree completly.

    The Holy Spirit is in charge of our growth, sanctifacation, decisions, etc etc.

    Our primary roles are two-fold..

    Feed on the scriptures, and *listen* for Gods guiding :godisgood:
     
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I always took the phrase to mean for me to quit trying to lead God and obediently follow HIS lead.
     
  4. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    The third soil of Matthew 13 accepted Jesus but did not let go of the worldly treasures also occupying their heart. Sometimes the slogan is code for avoiding an affirmative walk upon God's righteous path. We are to be diligent to add various virtues to our faith. We are to strive for moral excellence, trying to live like Jesus rather than telling ourselves we are better than some other carnal Christian. We are to study and not simply endorse to theology of the next guy in the pew. Unless we are working hard at increasing our virtuous qualities, our lives will be unfruitful.
     
  5. timf

    timf Member

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    I see this as an important and often overlooked part of our Christian walk.

    The phrase "Let go and let God" could have many interpretation as it is so short. I have taken it to mean that often the things we find frustrating are those things we attempt in the flesh (in our own strength). Ironically it can occur as a result of a sincere desire to be more Christ-like.

    There are verse in 2 Peter that remind me of the call for passion in the life of a Christian.

    2 Peter 1:5-9 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins

    To me this represents a measurement of Christian maturity. We are told in Ephesians that Christians leaders are to help us grow into the full image of Christ.

    To achieve the transition from the flesh to the Spirit described in Galatians chapter five (of which I see in the 2 Peter verses a measure), I see not so much passionate "hard work" as passionate surrender.
     
  6. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Ben Franklin made a table of virtues to work on in his life, and he showed it to a friend. The friend noted that Ben had left humility off the list. Some time later, the friend asked Ben how he was doing. He said he had made little or no progress with humility, but it was just as well, because if he had, he was sure he would have been proud of it.

    God bless
     
  7. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Ditto.


    Let God be in control.... follow.
     
  8. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    "Let go; and let God" is an expression used in the 1830's Recovery series; a psychological program.

    It has taken on many meanings over the years, and far removed from psychiatric intentions. Many have applied it to a "second blessing" after conversion; a second baptism.

    Growing up in the Church of England, and starting ministry in that group, I used it as a second blessing to explain true conversion beyond "confirmation" which brought one into the physical church.

    So, "Let go (of everything) and "Let God" (lead us back into Himself and His way).

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  9. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Brothers & Sisters....this is an expression thats widely used for Alcoholics Anonymous & other recovery programs.....Ive heard it used widely in Recovery Meetings Ive attended with my wife (who is a friend of Bill W)

    BTW, Jim my friend......Merry Christmas to you & yours!:love2:
     
  10. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    ALL the best you and wife, mate, and a blessed year to come.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  11. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Actually, comes from charasmatic circles, they would take it to mean, "get out of the way, and let God take over and do the Miracles/wealth etc!"

    Also shows up in holiness groups, as to mean "quit trying to work/act christian, let the Lord do it thru you!"
     
  12. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    What about ifen you want to knock over a liquor store....does the lord move thru you for dat to? My bad!!!;)
     
  13. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    The phrase was popularized by Fundamentalist evangelist Paul Rader nearly a century ago.
     
  14. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    This unbiblical term came from the wesleyan holiness
    movement
     
  15. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    I'd advise that you be TERRIBLY careful with this idea that "IF A PERSON HAS A CLOSE, CORRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, no one needs to tell him/her what to do or not to do. The HS will do that."

    The Bible teaches the DEAD LEVEL opposite.

    We DO need teachers and preachers "for the perfecting of the body and the edifying of the saints."

    The closer you are to God the more you will RUN to such teachers to tell you what to do or what not to do.

    And I am always very suspicious of this phrase used all to commonly in our charismatic saturated religious culture "The HS will do that".

    What does that mean?

    If you mean some "still small voice" inside of you making you feel a certain way about certain things- NO! There is no biblical precedent for that in the entire Bible.
    That is charismatic nonsense.

    One of the ways the Holy Spirit DOES lead you according to Scripture, in fact, is THROUGH teachers of the Scripture.

    I'd reconsider that notion, brother, regardless of how warm and fuzzy it might make you feel.
     
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Interesting that phrase NEVER foun din the bible, about as much sense as the oft quoted "God helps those who help themselves!"
     
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