God has an active willingness to aid you in all things!

There is a lot of false preaching today! I am not speaking of well intended, Godly messengers who may on accident misquote an occasional Scripture but are otherwise dedicated to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ as our only means of salvation. However, what I do think causes great harm are those who appeal to the carnal part of all of us - this is that which distracts us from the centrality of Christ. What awakens harm in all this is the image of what Christianity is to the world. The sinner may be without Christ, but she is not stupid! She knows if you preach hate, you cannot in the next breath herald love; she knows if you preach earthly gain over heavenly increase, you cannot in the next utterance expound the benefits of leaving all to follow Christ. She sees and hears this garbage and generalizes about all ministers and churches. She says in her heart, "I want no part of this Gospel!"

I speak to the hurt caused by the fairly recent theology of "prosperity" preaching. Actually, I am speaking of false prosperity preaching. Prosperity is a great word; it is a Biblical word. It is just being misused, overused and often abused to present a picture of a "Santa Claus" Savior and a misled childish "gimmey" relational theology!

As we examine God’s active willingness toward us in all things, 2 Peter 1:1 gives us an important key. It says:

2 Peter 1:1 MKJV Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ,

Notice to whom Peter is writing: To those that have obtained like precious faith with them. He addresses those who have found and possessed this precious faith!

2 Peter 1:2 MKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

Notice that there is a ‘knowledge’ that we are supposed to possess which is given to us through this precious faith. This knowledge multiplies grace and peace in our lives.

ACTIVE GRACE

The classic definition of grace is unmerited favor, but most Christians see this as passive favor. On the contrary, it is very active! It is amazing grace that saves us; it is astounding grace that justifies the worst and the best of us Christians; it is incredible grace that empowers us with the gifts of the Spirit; it is miraculous grace which reveals God’s willingness to aid us in every circumstance of life. This is a Biblical picture of prosperity!

ACTIVE PEACE

According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, the root for the word peace means ‘to join”. Picture our joining and becoming one with Christ through grace. Strong’s also says that by implication peace means ‘prosperity’. I see prosperity as being joined with Christ. This knowledge of who we are multiplies this amazing grace and peace. This is active prosperity.

I see active grace as God’s willingness in all things. The knowledge of God's willingness is what Biblical prosperity is!

PROSPERITY IS FOR ALL AREAS

Psalms 1:3 KJV And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Ps. 1:3). What a way to live every day! Say it, “Whatever I do today will prosper!” “Whatever I do today will be blessed!” “Whatever I do today, I will be one with Christ!” “Whatever I do today, I will have grace and peace multiplied!”

This is not a blank check (read the rest of Psalms one)! It is even better; It is Christ saying that his confidence is in me to live in grace and in peace today – to live in prosperity. This is true in every area of my life!

ASK ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL

John 15:4-8 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. (8) In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples.

Abiding in Christ is real peace; it is Biblical prosperity. When we are one with Christ, we ask and His active amazing grace works in every area of our lives. When we seek Him first, He multiplies grace and peace in all things for us!

SAYING IT IS IMPORTANT

Ask what you will – this obviously speaks of our Godly desires, but it applies to every aspect of our lives! God knows what we have need of before we ask, but He wants us to send it through the filter of asking out of our desires. We want nothing outside of His will, but we do have needs. Most often we pray from problems; this Scripture says we are to pray from Godly desire! Prosperity is the peace that follows and grace is the active willingness to bring it to pass!

BELIEVING IS NECESSARY

Hebrews 11:1 MKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Most Christians do not follow biblical prosperity because they either have misguided or little (or unexercised) faith. Faith is basically a total trust, and it is like a muscle. It must be exercised. As we have trials, we trust Christ through them and our faith is multiplied. Prosperity is the peace in knowing the substance of things hoped for or the evidence of things not seen is God’s willingness on your behalf, if you have faith. Faith, grace and peace are the three foundation stones of our prosperous Christian lives. All of these are linked in Biblical prosperity and peace.

Philippians 4:13 MKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.