Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
He quotes Clement of Alexandria: “God conspires with willing souls… if they abandon their eagerness, the spirit… is restrained,” and even says God “delights in being vanquished” when we “force God” by persevering desire. How would early Christians, shaped by this mindset, approach prayer, fasting, resisting sin, and assurance differently than Christians who assume God will act regardless of their earnestness?
Another way to ask: If God works more with people who are truly willing and persistent, how would that change prayer, fasting, and fighting sin? How would it change what people think about assurance compared to those who think God will act no matter what?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the quote and the speaker’s comments, early Christians would treat prayer, fasting, and resisting sin as serious cooperation with God—pressing in with persevering desire—because God “works together with willing souls.” Their assurance would be tied to ongoing eagerness and Spirit-led fruit, not to the assumption that God will act the same no matter their response.
- Clement: “God conspires… with willing souls… if they abandon their eagerness, the spirit… is also restrained.”
- Clement contrasts: “To save the unwilling is… compulsion. But to save the willing… grace.”
- The “violent take it by force” is explained as “commendable violence to force God… God delights in being vanquished… ‘now I have to give you this because I promised you… and you want it.’”
- Speaker ties this to grace participation: “grace… requires our response… we participate in.”
- He implies assurance includes evidence: Spirit is known by being “driven by him” and bearing “fruit.”