Monday, September 23, 2019

Putting a Demand on Abundant Grace and the Gift of Righteousness

19 But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 MEV
21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 MEV




 We've begun a study concerning God's provisions. We've come to understand, that these provisions are already ours through the Finished Work, not our work or performance. We've established the vital truth that though these provisions are already ours in Christ, we must reach out and freely receive all He has provided. 

 We've seen God's provision for our healing and wholeness. Today, it seems good to share on one of the most powerful and amazing provisions God has for us. That is the abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness.  

 Did you know when you received Jesus that He made you the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? That as a believer you are just as Righteous as Jesus? That you are just as accepted and approved of God as Jesus is? That you can stand before God without any fear, guilt, inferiority, shame or sin? It's not because of your goodness but Jesus' performance on your behalf.

 This is the Good News of Jesus Christ! This is what brings triumphant victory in our Christian life. This is how we overcome in every area of life. Yet not all celebrate this news.

 Some tradition-minded cringe at these words. Just what do you mean by accepted by God as much as Jesus is? What exactly do you mean by approved of God? No, you must prove your worth and acceptance before God, they would say. 

 Only the truth of God's Word will provide deliverance to the tradition-bound. When they see the light of God's Word freedom comes. They see what religion tried so hard to conceal. 

 Let's then look at the provision of Grace and Righteousness;

We are saved by His Grace, not our works or performance

 He has made us accepted

 He has made us Righteous in Christ. Righteous apart from works

 There is a clear provision for Grace and Righteousness. So if it's mine in Christ, what do you mean by putting a demand on God's provision of Grace? Why do I need to put a demand on what's mine already?

 Glad you asked. In one of the most powerful passages revealing our provision of Grace and Righteousness, the answer to this question is found;
17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Romans 5:17 AMPC

 What a powerful passage! What a powerful provision. We can reign in life as kings through Christ Jesus. So what's the answer to the question in this passage?

 Most translations simply say those who receive Grace and Righteousness reign in life. However, look at this passage in Young's Literal Translation;
17 for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 YLT

 I have never heard anyone ever preach on this point. It's clear from this translation. It's not just having the gift, it's actually receiving of the gift. You may have accepted the truth of Grace and the free gift of Righteousness, but are you actively receiving of these gifts? 

 This is what I mean by putting a demand on God's provision of abundant Grace and the free Gift of Righteousness. It's not just having the gift but receiving of the gift. What does this look like?

 When you fall, falter, fail, plain sin what do you do? Do you allow thoughts of shame and guilt to dominate you for a length of time? Guilt and shame can paralyze your growth in Christ. 

 Shame and guilt don't just stop at saying within you that what you did was wrong, but that you are wrong. That you are just a no-good sinner. A shameful filthy person. If you don't put a demand on the provision of Righteousness, that is actively receiving of the gift in these moments, guilt and shame will overtake your thinking. God's not separated or disconnected from you but your thinking will try to convince you that you are. Reject those thoughts. Receive of your Righteousness.

 Traditional religion, this world system, and the enemy use guilt and shame to put you down. The biggest weapon they use is that of condemnation. That's why we put a demand on the provision of Grace and Righteousness and walk free from guilt and condemnation.

 Condemnation tolerated, contaminates your spiritual perception. It makes you think and feel you're apart from God, though He has never left or forsaken you. That's why we should put a demand on the provision of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness. We reject those accusations of the enemy. We refuse those stifling feelings of guilt and shame. We rest in our right standing and acceptance and approval because of the Blood, the Finished Work, the redemptive work of Jesus. 

 In summation, we have been given a powerful provision. We are made Righteous and highly favored in Christ. Condemnation seeks to cause us to shrink back from intimate fellowship with our Father. Receiving of the provision means we reject condemnation and we embrace our new identity in Christ. We have guilt-free, shame-free, fear-free, fellowship with our Father who rejoices over us with joy. All because of Jesus. 
Image courtesy of Idea go at FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

2 comments:

Duane said...

Wow, AMPC is pretty lite on sin (lapse) which is punishable by death!

John W Reed said...

Duane. Perhaps looking at the literal Greek before casting stones is a better approach.
Offence
παράπτωμα
paraptōma
par-ap'-to-mah
From G3895; a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression: - fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.