http://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&feed=atom&action=historyWill God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle? - Revision history2024-03-28T10:31:27ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.16alphahttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63474&oldid=prevPcain at 21:05, 4 February 20202020-02-04T21:05:04Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p></ins><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td></tr>
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</table>Pcainhttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63473&oldid=prevPcain at 21:04, 4 February 20202020-02-04T21:04:13Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td></tr>
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</table>Pcainhttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63472&oldid=prevPcain at 21:03, 4 February 20202020-02-04T21:03:39Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p><i>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</i></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><p><b>Two Essential Words</b></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <i>we</i> and <i>handle</i>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background: #eee; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></p><p>What does <i>we</i> mean? Does <i>we</i> mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td></tr>
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</table>Pcainhttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63471&oldid=prevPcain at 21:03, 4 February 20202020-02-04T21:03:06Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>{{info}}<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del>Audio Transcript<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><p><span class="fck_mw_template"></ins>{{info}}<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></span><b></ins>Audio Transcript<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></b></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p><i></ins>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><p><b></ins>Two Essential Words<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></b></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i></ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del>Two Essential Words<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>What does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean? Does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Or, does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean that we can handle it if we receive it by faith in divine assistance, and that God knows what he himself will give us by grace in enabling us to handle what he gives us? So, he is not thinking of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>as independent, but <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>as dependent on the grace that comes with the difficulty. Which of those two does this statement ask about?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>What does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean? Does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean you never collapse under it? Does it mean you never fail in any task? Does it mean you never mess up? Does it mean you never fail to get a B+ on every one of life’s tests?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Or, does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean that you never fail so that you never recover or repent or restore reconciliation, and that you are finally lost because you failed? Which does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>What does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean? Does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p><b></ins>Dependent on Grace<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></b></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>To answer all of that and to give my answer to the question, let’s just look at the key texts that I think he probably has in mind. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation” — or test, since it is the same word in Greek — “has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond your ability [beyond what you are able], but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Or, does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean that we can handle it if we receive it by faith in divine assistance, and that God knows what he himself will give us by grace in enabling us to handle what he gives us? So, he is not thinking of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>as independent, but <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>as dependent on the grace that comes with the difficulty. Which of those two does this statement ask about?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>When Paul says that God won’t give what is beyond what you are able, he means not beyond what you are able <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>with God’s help<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i></ins>. We know that because of a couple of other things he says. For example, in 2 Corinthians 9:8 he says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>In other words, in every test or temptation, the question is, Will I do what I ought to do? Paul says, “There will be grace.” He does not merely say, “I am depending on you to use your resources without depending on grace.” Rather, God is telling us, “I am giving you grace so that there will be grace to do it, but you are not independent of my powers to help.”</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>What does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean? Does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean you never collapse under it? Does it mean you never fail in any task? Does it mean you never mess up? Does it mean you never fail to get a B+ on every one of life’s tests?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” In other words, if I survive any test or accomplish any work when I am tested, it is grace, decisively grace — not decisively me.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>So, my answer to the first query — What does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean in the statement “God will never give us more than what we can handle”? — is that <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>we<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>means we who are helped by sovereign grace, not we independent of the power of God’s help.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Or, does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean that you never fail so that you never recover or repent or restore reconciliation, and that you are finally lost because you failed? Which does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean?</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p><b></ins>Sustaining Power<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></b></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Then the question is, What does <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><i></ins>handle<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></i> </ins>mean? Does it mean never stumble, never fail, never get a C- or an F on a particular test that God gives? My answer is no. It doesn’t mean that. If we had perfect reliance on all that he is for us in Christ, we would pass every test glowingly, but God does not promise that kind of perfect reliance on his omnipotent grace.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del>Dependent on Grace<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Well then, what is being promised when he says that we will always have, with every test, an escape and when he says that we will have grace for every good work? I think what is promised is ultimately this: God will never let us so stumble or so fail that we don’t recover and repent and are restored. In other words, he will never let us sin our way into apostasy and damnation. He will enable us to bear the fruits of genuine faith and perseverance to the end.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p><p></ins>Here are the texts that make me think that:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>To answer all of that and to give my answer to the question, let’s just look at the key texts that I think he probably has in mind. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation” — or test, since it is the same word in Greek — “has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond your ability [beyond what you are able], but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><ul><li></ins>Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>When Paul says that God won’t give what is beyond what you are able, he means not beyond what you are able <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>with God’s help<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>. We know that because of a couple of other things he says. For example, in 2 Corinthians 9:8 he says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></li><li></ins>Romans 8:30: “Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” He is going to keep you.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></li><li></ins>Luke 22:31–32: “Simon, Simon,” Jesus says to Peter, “behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat [or, get your faith out of you], but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” In other words, I prayed for you. Yes, you are going to deny me tonight, but I am bringing you back. You are going to get an F on this test tonight, and I am going to make you pass your life-test.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>In other words, in every test or temptation, the question is, Will I do what I ought to do? Paul says, “There will be grace.” He does not merely say, “I am depending on you to use your resources without depending on grace.” Rather, God is telling us, “I am giving you grace so that there will be grace to do it, but you are not independent of my powers to help.”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></li><li></ins>1 Peter 1:5: “By God’s power [we] are being guarded through faith for a salvation.” God’s power is guarding me. He won’t let me fail in any test utterly.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></li><li></ins>1 Corinthians 1:8: “[He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” In other words, if I survive any test or accomplish any work when I am tested, it is grace, decisively grace — not decisively me.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></li></ul></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"><p></ins>So, here’s my conclusion. “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is that biblically correct? Yes, if we mean God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. We will be enabled to do all we must do to get there.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>So, my answer to the first query — What does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean in the statement “God will never give us more than what we can handle”? — is that <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>we<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>means we who are helped by sovereign grace, not we independent of the power of God’s help.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"></p></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del>Sustaining Power<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Then the question is, What does <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''</del>handle<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'' </del>mean? Does it mean never stumble, never fail, never get a C- or an F on a particular test that God gives? My answer is no. It doesn’t mean that. If we had perfect reliance on all that he is for us in Christ, we would pass every test glowingly, but God does not promise that kind of perfect reliance on his omnipotent grace.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Well then, what is being promised when he says that we will always have, with every test, an escape and when he says that we will have grace for every good work? I think what is promised is ultimately this: God will never let us so stumble or so fail that we don’t recover and repent and are restored. In other words, he will never let us sin our way into apostasy and damnation. He will enable us to bear the fruits of genuine faith and perseverance to the end.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>Here are the texts that make me think that:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">*</del>Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">*</del>Romans 8:30: “Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” He is going to keep you.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">*</del>Luke 22:31–32: “Simon, Simon,” Jesus says to Peter, “behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat [or, get your faith out of you], but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” In other words, I prayed for you. Yes, you are going to deny me tonight, but I am bringing you back. You are going to get an F on this test tonight, and I am going to make you pass your life-test.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">*</del>1 Peter 1:5: “By God’s power [we] are being guarded through faith for a salvation.” God’s power is guarding me. He won’t let me fail in any test utterly.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">*</del>1 Corinthians 1:8: “[He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>-</td><td style="background: #ffa; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div>So, here’s my conclusion. “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is that biblically correct? Yes, if we mean God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. We will be enabled to do all we must do to get there.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="background: #cfc; color:black; font-size: smaller;"><div></div></td></tr>
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</table>Pcainhttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63419&oldid=prevKathyyee: Protected "Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))2020-01-23T18:55:18Z<p>Protected "<a href="/wiki/Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F" title="Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?">Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?</a>" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))</p>
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</table>Kathyyeehttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=Will_God_Ever_Give_Us_More_Than_We_Can_Handle%3F&diff=63418&oldid=prevKathyyee: Created page with '{{info}}'''Audio Transcript''' ''It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘Go...'2020-01-23T18:55:07Z<p>Created page with '{{info}}'''Audio Transcript''' ''It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘Go...'</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{info}}'''Audio Transcript'''<br />
<br />
''It’s Monday. A new week. New tasks. New burdens. New mercies. Podcast listener Fabian writes in to ask, “Dear Pastor John, this phrase ‘God will never give us more than what we can handle,’ is often used when someone is facing life challenges, suffering, and trials. Based on the Bible, is this phrase biblically correct?”<br />
''<br />
'''Two Essential Words'''<br />
<br />
Whether that statement — “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is biblically correct depends on what we mean by ''we'' and ''handle''.<br />
<br />
What does ''we'' mean? Does ''we'' mean God takes into account our independent possibilities based on our track record of handling trouble and, thus, measures out that trouble to us so that it doesn’t go beyond what we — independently, by our own resources — can handle? Is that what we means?<br />
<br />
Or, does ''we'' mean that we can handle it if we receive it by faith in divine assistance, and that God knows what he himself will give us by grace in enabling us to handle what he gives us? So, he is not thinking of ''we'' as independent, but ''we'' as dependent on the grace that comes with the difficulty. Which of those two does this statement ask about?<br />
<br />
What does ''handle'' mean? Does ''handle'' mean you never collapse under it? Does it mean you never fail in any task? Does it mean you never mess up? Does it mean you never fail to get a B+ on every one of life’s tests?<br />
<br />
Or, does ''handle'' mean that you never fail so that you never recover or repent or restore reconciliation, and that you are finally lost because you failed? Which does ''handle'' mean?<br />
<br />
'''Dependent on Grace'''<br />
<br />
To answer all of that and to give my answer to the question, let’s just look at the key texts that I think he probably has in mind. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation” — or test, since it is the same word in Greek — “has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond your ability [beyond what you are able], but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”<br />
<br />
When Paul says that God won’t give what is beyond what you are able, he means not beyond what you are able ''with God’s help''. We know that because of a couple of other things he says. For example, in 2 Corinthians 9:8 he says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”<br />
<br />
In other words, in every test or temptation, the question is, Will I do what I ought to do? Paul says, “There will be grace.” He does not merely say, “I am depending on you to use your resources without depending on grace.” Rather, God is telling us, “I am giving you grace so that there will be grace to do it, but you are not independent of my powers to help.”<br />
<br />
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” In other words, if I survive any test or accomplish any work when I am tested, it is grace, decisively grace — not decisively me.<br />
<br />
So, my answer to the first query — What does ''we'' mean in the statement “God will never give us more than what we can handle”? — is that ''we'' means we who are helped by sovereign grace, not we independent of the power of God’s help.<br />
<br />
'''Sustaining Power'''<br />
<br />
Then the question is, What does ''handle'' mean? Does it mean never stumble, never fail, never get a C- or an F on a particular test that God gives? My answer is no. It doesn’t mean that. If we had perfect reliance on all that he is for us in Christ, we would pass every test glowingly, but God does not promise that kind of perfect reliance on his omnipotent grace.<br />
<br />
Well then, what is being promised when he says that we will always have, with every test, an escape and when he says that we will have grace for every good work? I think what is promised is ultimately this: God will never let us so stumble or so fail that we don’t recover and repent and are restored. In other words, he will never let us sin our way into apostasy and damnation. He will enable us to bear the fruits of genuine faith and perseverance to the end.<br />
<br />
Here are the texts that make me think that:<br />
<br />
*Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”<br />
*Romans 8:30: “Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” He is going to keep you.<br />
*Luke 22:31–32: “Simon, Simon,” Jesus says to Peter, “behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat [or, get your faith out of you], but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” In other words, I prayed for you. Yes, you are going to deny me tonight, but I am bringing you back. You are going to get an F on this test tonight, and I am going to make you pass your life-test.<br />
*1 Peter 1:5: “By God’s power [we] are being guarded through faith for a salvation.” God’s power is guarding me. He won’t let me fail in any test utterly.<br />
*1 Corinthians 1:8: “[He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”<br />
<br />
So, here’s my conclusion. “God will never give us more than what we can handle” — is that biblically correct? Yes, if we mean God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. We will be enabled to do all we must do to get there.</div>Kathyyee