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{Proof That the Heavenly Trade is the Best Trade
The Heavenly Trade Is the Most Profitable Trade
The Heavenly Trade Brings Sure Returns
The Holy Spirit of God Assures the Returns}
Another thing that makes secure the saints’ advantages by this heavenly trade is this: that their trading is the work and product of God’s own Holy Spirit; their duties are His work. “Lord, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works” (Isaiah 26:12 NASB). “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NKJV). “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB). Believers are led and made to act by the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 8:4).244 [In Ezekiel’s vision] the wheels could only go where the Spirit wanted (Ezekiel 1:20–21).245 Similarly, Christians cannot move or do anything by God’s grace except if their works are made by God (John 3:21).246 Believers’ labors in this heavenly trade are works of the eternal Holy Spirit. If [somehow] believers’ good works could be lost, the Spirit of God would labor in vain and His work be thrown away—but this cannot be (Isaiah 45:19).247
244“In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4 ESV).
245“Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels” (Ezekiel 1:20–21 ESV).
246“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:21 ESV).
247“I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right” (Isaiah 45:19 NKJV). See the earlier footnote on this passage.
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