The Power of Determination

➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson

No Success Without Effort

Being determined and resolute are not typically inherent attributes. However, they can be developed subject to God's will and achieve personal breakthroughs.

The measure of faith is provided by God, but each person builds upon it themselves. The success of determination and resoluteness is, in turn, determined by personal efforts.

Understanding the significance of redemption (1Cor 6:20) and joint heirship with Jesus Christ (Rom 8:16) is only possible by a believing confession of Jesus Christ as LORD (Rom 10:9-11). This results in the new birth (John 3:3) and being led into understanding the fullness of God's truth (Jn 16:13) with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus: I have come as a Light into the world, John 12:46

Insight and conviction of the Gospel comes through a transformation by renewal of the mind (Rom 12:2) which strengthens personal faith. Based on this, it is said: I believed; therefore I have spoken, 2 Corinthians 4:13, describing God's will.

The Holy Spirit teaches and convinces only from the written Word. From this, it is recognized that believers can indeed be citizens in the Kingdom of God (Phil 3:20) with God's promises available to them (Jn 15:11).

Do satanic temptations arise against this?

Definitely — with doubt, unbelief and superstition to shake personal conviction. It worked with Adam ad Eve (Gen 3:1) and continues to be used as: “Does God even exist?” or “There are many ways to God,” or “Is Christ really your Savior?”

Similarly, philosophy attempts to explain the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through human wisdom. Paul, when explaining their unknown God to the Athenians (Act 17:16-34) through the Gospel, was mocked by some while others joined him and became believers (Act 17:34).

How is Desired Determination Achieved?

Jesus prophesied to His disciples of the coming of the Holy Spirit to encourage them after His death: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, John 14:26.

Every born-again believer is reminded of Jesus' finished work with Holy Spirit encouragement to continue the administration of Jesus' name, unchanged and available. And how? By God watching over His words: Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, Isaiah 14:24.

God's given measure of faith works continually as the ever-increasing personal faith. It offers full access to God's promises. Everything from God, except His love, grace and mercy, is conditional.

How is desired determination achieved?

The ability to decide is established in God's Word: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17.  Determination is a decision — either to undertake action or to procrastinate.

Man in himself is incapable of grasping insight for understanding God's Word on his own. Likewise, the authority of Jesus' name is neither understood nor can it be put into use. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can insight and understanding of God's will be achieved.

The life-changing direction through the conviction of the Gospel leads to conversion: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10:9-10.

And who mediates this direction?

The Holy Spirit: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, John 16:8.

For those who want to confess Jesus (John 3:3), the Holy Spirit is helpful with His presence to guide the reconciliation with God.

Distrust Through Unbelief

Even Jesus could not achieve much among humanity in some situations, because of their unbelief. Doubt and unbelief were so hindering even in His time that the inhabitants of His hometown Nazareth wanted to throw Him off the cliff (Mt 13:58).

Although He came as the light to His people: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day, John 12:46-48.

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God, John 3:3

Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Nothing was impossible for Him. That's true. What it does point to is that God does not force Himself on anyone. There was a need for healing among the people, but because of their stubbornness and mistrust, they did not want a renewing of their mindset.

They had a perception of Jesus as a carpenter, and although He taught from the law and the prophets, they did not take any of His teaching to heart: For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak, John 12:49-50.

No matter how much of the Gospel message is heard by anyone, if it is not grasped with faith, that life improvements are possible, God's promises remain obscure and the desired needs unattainable.

Distrust, of any kind, hinders.

Nothing is Impossible

The Pharisee, Nicodemus (Jn 3:3, 5, 7), a ruler of the Jews, was unclear about how to understand what Jesus showed him was possible. The core of the Gospel message leads to the restoration of reconciliation, which is revealed from above: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned,1 Corinthians 2:14.

  • Reconciliation through renewal (John 3:3) is acquired through faith, recognizing Jesus, the Son of God, as LORD (Rom 10:9-11).
  • Insight into the Gospel, if it's desired, follows from the renewal of the mind (Rom 12:2).
  • Instruction for overcoming demonic influences is provided for in Mark 16:17 and James 4:7.
  • What God's attributes are, are revealed to us as the 'fruit of the Spirit' (Gal 5:22-23).

Every reconciled individual is seen as a child of God (Gal 3:26), mandated to carry out Jesus' works without hesitation (Mk 16:20). Emboldened by the indwelling Holy Ghost comes through the determination to accomplish God's will as Jesus did, as in the Lord's Prayer: Thy will be done, Matthew 6:10.

Isn't the world waiting for help?

Yes, it is!

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, Romans 8:19.

For those who resolutely let themselves be led by the Holy Spirit to do God's will, nothing is impossible. Then it can be said: Your will be done, in my life here on earth, as it is in heaven.


From the article, Entschlossen leben, by Pastor Andy Fulson

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I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God, John 3:3
Jesus: I have come as a Light into the world, John 12:46

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.

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