Opponents of Grace: Mixture (Law and Grace)

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 NKJV





 Following the guidance of the Lord, I sensed the Spirit direct me to begin exploring another aspect of Grace. Or better stated, examining God's Radical Grace from a different perspective. That is the perspective of fighting the good fight. To stand fast against the opponents of His amazing Grace.

 Throughout the Epistles, Paul the Apostle of Grace spoke of spiritual warfare. He spoke of fighting the good fight of faith. There would be no fight of faith if there were no enemies to our faith. He admonished the Ephesian church to be strong in the Lord. He instructed them concerning the warfare of the believer. James mentions resisting the enemy. These passages prove to us that the enemy seeks to undermine and disrupt God's plans and purposes for our lives. The good news is we know the enemy is a defeated foe.

 In Galatians, Paul is teaching the freedom and liberty we have in Christ. He reveals the Gospel is the Grace of God. He then states that we are to stand fast in this liberty. Why stand fast if there is nothing resisting us? Why stand fast if there is nothing seeking to remove us from our place of freedom and victory in this Grace? 

 This passage proves to us that there are opponents of Grace. There are opponents that religion, tradition, and the enemy will try to use to subvert our understanding of Grace and weaken our stand on the Grace of God. The enemy and dead works religion are always attempting to get the Church to accept a substitute for Grace. With this understanding let's look at the first of these opponents of Grace.

The Confusing Cocktail of Mixture.

 This issue of mixture is the central issue Paul was addressing in his Epistle to the Galatians. The central claim made by those opposing Paul was that Grace and Faith alone weren't sufficient. We needed to add portions of the Mosaic Law to totally achieve salvation. 

 This is nothing new, we see it still today. In order to receive provision and the prosperity, God has for His Church many will turn back to the Old Covenant and declare Grace and Faith alone aren't enough to receive provision and blessing. They will direct people to the stipulations, the conditional prerequisites, the commandments the Children of Israel had to meet before they were qualified to receive. When it comes to healing, many will turn to Old Testament passages and tell the Church to look to their performance in order to receive healing.

 It is especially true in the area of receiving Jesus Christ for our salvation. Many declare Grace alone, by Faith alone is insufficient to receive salvation. Not if you want to be "really" saved. Some today, may not say we need circumcision but they will instruct the lost to make pledges and promises to clean up their act, and cease and desist from any wrong they are presently engaged in and then God will save them. 

It's by Grace alone through Faith alone that we are saved and receive all that He has purchased for us in the Finished Work. Sadly, this truth is offensive to many. They will say we still need the Law. They teach that Grace is for salvation but we need the Law to grow and mature. We need the Law for sanctification. Their favorite Scripture is Matthew 5, I came not to destroy the Law. 

 Many take just the first portion of Jesus' words and focus solely on that. He didn't come to destroy the Law, therefore they reason there are still portions of the Mosaic Law that are in effect. What they omit is the fact that Jesus declared He came to fulfill the Law. If it's fulfilled then it is complete and the Church is no longer under the Law.

 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASB

the Living Bible paints a clearer image of Christ ending the Law and the futility of mixture.

4 They don’t understand that Christ gives to those who trust in him everything they are trying to get by keeping his laws. He ends all of that. Romans 10:4 TLB

Many will resist the plain truth declaring we must keep the moral aspect of the Law. What they fail to understand is the Law is an all or nothing system. It isn't a set of commandments that were divided into ceremonial, sacrificial and moral subsections. If we failed in keeping a ceremonial commandment it was as if we committed adultery, because it is an all or nothing system.

 Let me say this. The Law is good and perfect. The issue is no one is good and perfect enough to keep it. Also, the Law could never make you good or perfect. Though we know the Law is never divided into subsections distinguishing sacrificial and moral there is one thing we can see that is eternal. The moral components found in the Law do reveal God's nature and character. Never has it been Godly to steal or lie or deceive or commit fornication (sex outside of marriage) or adultery. In this New Covenant, we see the Royal Law of Love also never leads us into lying or deception or sexual immorality.

 That stated we still can't look to the Law for righteousness and holiness. People pushing mixture fail to understand just what is actually considered moral Law. Under Law, Gentiles or non-Jews were considered unclean, here. This is because they didn't practice Mosaic Law and didn't observe the clean or unclean standards of Law. If we are still under Law how can Jew and Gentile fellowship?

 In fact, this is why Paul so strongly rebuked Peter. He refused to sit with Gentile believers. Christians need to relinquish tradition and accept the truth of the Gospel. The Law is fulfilled and finished in Christ. Look at Paul's words in Ephesians, here.

 Paul declared the Cross ended the Law.

15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Ephesians 2:15 NLT

It is done! It is Finished! The Law with all its crippling commandments that no one could keep has been fulfilled in Christ. There is no place in the life of the believer for Law. We have been remade new in Christ. Renewing our minds to His Word our thinking changes. Grace changed our hearts and gave us new desires. Because we are completely made new, righteous and perfectly accepted in Christ and no longer under Law sin no longer exercises dominion over us and we walk in complete liberty and freedom. 

 In summation, stand fast against this opponent of Grace. Don't allow mixture to contaminate your walk in Grace. Embrace Grace alone through Faith alone and steadfastly resist the confusing cocktail of mixture. 

Image courtesy of JanPietruszka at FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

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Great Grace: Greatly Secured

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV

Concluding this extensive study of God's great Grace it seemed good to once again reveal just how secure we are in Christ. In this study, we've seen how Grace is greater than all sin, missteps, failures, and guilt. Today, let's examine how great His Grace is in guaranteeing our salvation.

  Some may object saying, "I've heard that before." "I know I'm secure." My response is you know you're secure now. Sometime in the future when you blow it or mess up, or just plain sin you may not feel so secure. It is good to deposit the Word in your heart so it is already there to counter the lies of the enemy. 

 If you just browse a bookstore it is rare to find much on the subject of the eternal nature of our redemption. It is especially rare, if not highly unlikely, to find a book detailing our eternal security in Christ in a Charismatic/Pentecostal friendly bookstore. This is why the Lord keeps pressing this beautiful Gospel truth for all to receive.

 Freedom to the religious tradition ruled mind appears like wickedness and lasciviousness. Removing the shackles of Law and traditional rules and regulations appears to some as giving people a license to sin. "What will keep our people in line?" these leaders ask.  

 My response to that is to give people the Word of God. Reveal the Finished Work to the Church. Reveal their perfect acceptance and righteousness in Christ. Show God's people that as He is so are they in this World. Expound the glorious details of the New Covenant. How much more fruit would believers bear if they were taught they were already holy and sanctified because of what Jesus did?

Is our Salvation a guarantee?

 If we say yes, religion cries foul. They say this produces licentiousness among Christians. If we say no, we create loopholes in God's great Grace. These loopholes are just the right size to allow Law, legalism, and works to dilute Grace and pollute the Gospel message. 

 Is salvation a guarantee? What say you, Jesus?

39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them to eternal life at the Last Day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that everyone who sees his Son and believes on him should have eternal life—that I should raise him at the Last Day.” John 6:39-40 TLB

 Jesus, says it's a guarantee. What about the Apostle Paul?

6 I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious expression of grace in your lives will faithfully continue the process of maturing you through your union with Him and will complete it at the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! Philippians 1:6 TPT

The Apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ both concur. Our salvation is secure, it is a guarantee. His great Grace has procured a perfect redemption. God's salvation is a guarantee. 

Renters or owners?

 If we could lose our salvation, what is Jesus going to do with our dwelling in His Father's house? If our salvation is not a guarantee, then we are merely renters of our Heavenly dwelling. God must have eviction notices ready in hand in case we miss it once too often.

 Think of it. If our salvation is not completely secure then where is the comfort of Heaven? If it isn't guaranteed then is Jesus even preparing a place for us? Does He wait until we take our last breath and then breathes a sigh of relief saying "you made it"? Does He then commission work to begin on our Heavenly dwelling? If He has already prepared this dwelling, does He tear it down each time we blow it? Does He rebuild our dwelling when we "repent" and say we're sorry? Thank God He does none of these things. 

 I am so glad to say we have a Heavenly dwelling awaiting us. Jesus purchased this dwelling place by His shed Blood and Finished Work. We are owners, not mere renters. Once we're in Christ, there is no more fear. There is no insecurity. There will be no "eviction notices" for us in Heaven. 

4 And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:4-5 TLB

 In summation, His great Grace has provided a completely free and eternally secure redemption. This salvation is not a probationary period. This salvation is a guarantee. We are not just renting space in Heaven until we can work hard enough to finally purchase a permanent Heavenly dwelling. In Christ, we are forever forgiven, freely made righteous, accepted and eternally secure. And it's all because of Jesus and His shed Blood and Finished Work. 

Great Grace: Greater than Guilt.

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV

 We've been in an extended study of the great Grace of Father God. This isn't minuscule Grace, but great Grace. We've seen just how forgiven we are the role of confession, and distinguishing between performance and genuine faith that receives what Grace freely provided in the Finished Work.

 Today, I'd to address this issue of guilt in the life of the New Covenant believer. I also want to answer a question that torments us at times. What are we to expect concerning the troubles of our own making?

 Think of it. Most believers can accept that God will forgive us our mistakes and missteps and foul ups. Sure He will be merciful when we through deception enter in error. What if we purposefully, willfully enter into sin or misdeeds what then? Surely God won't forgive us if we willfully sin.

 I submit to you that His Grace is greater than our sins. His Grace is even greater than the trouble of our own making. 
"Hold it, brother! Hebrews 10:26-30 declared if we willfully sin, He won't forgive us!"
"How can you say His Grace is greater than willful sin?"

 If we look at Hebrews 10 in full context we see Paul saying (I believe Paul wrote Hebrews) to unsaved Jews who had heard the Word of faith, the Gospel of Jesus. He revealed that the Finished Work was the once for all sacrifice. If they wished to reject this offering, and embrace the Law and temple sacrifice, they've willfully sinned the sin of unbelief. There is no other offering accepted and so apart from Christ, their animal sacrifices wouldn't provide the forgiveness they needed.

 Where sin abounds, Grace much more abounds. Hebrews 10 isn't about believers losing their salvation. Those in Christ are forever secure in the Father's loving hand. His Grace has already forgiven all our sins in Him. Yes, even the sins of our own making.

 I know it doesn't seem fair or just. I mean why would God forgive sins that were intentionally committed? The answer is provided in James.
14-15 When a person is carried away with desire, lured by lust, and when desire becomes the focus and takes control, it gives birth to sin. When sin becomes fully grown, it produces death. James 1:14-15 Voice

 The reality is all our sins are willful, committed on purpose, and premeditated. We sin because some portion of ourselves wanted to. When we received Him, know He forgave us of all our sins, which means He forgives intentional sins. 

 Is there a Biblical illustration proving God forgives and redeems and restores people who created trouble by their own doing. Take a journey into the life of Abraham.

 Abraham was known as Abram prior to God giving him the name Abraham or father of a multitude. God made Himself known to Abram. God instructed him to leave his dwelling, all he ever knew and follow Him. 

 Shortly thereafter we see Abram involved in trouble of his own making, here. Now, what does this passage reveal? What did Abram do?

 Abram, operating in fear, allowed his wife to be given to another. We see Abram lie and say Sarai was his sister and not his wife. What was the Lord's response?

 I'm sure God said, this is your bed, you made it, you lie in it! Did God give Abram a healthy dose of guilt over his actions? Did God just let Abram suffer the consequences of his sin and not intervene?

 In the passage, we see God's hand still on Abram. He intervened so that Pharoah wouldn't take Sarai as his wife. We also see God turn the situation around and during a time of famine abundantly bless Abram. God blessed Abram and protected him because of His goodness and mercy, not Abram's.

 With God's goodness abounding surely Abram learned from the troubles he made? Surely he wouldn't ever repeat this action. Let's look at a later time in Abraham's life, here.

Greater than all guilt

 Abraham once again fouled up. He repeated the very same mistake. Surely God would've said Abraham you're one and done. I bailed you out back in Egypt. You're on your own this time. 

 Thanks be to God our Father isn't like that. Think of it, Abraham was unfaithful not trusting God. He lied, put his own needs ahead of his wife's and God still turned this situation around for his good. What a loving good Father we have.

In this account, we see another powerful truth at work. Not only does God turn this situation around, He also answers the prayer for the healing of Abimelech offered by Abraham. Think of it, after we blow it and foul up how many feel the confidence to pray for healing and expect an answer?

What are we to make of the troubles of our own doing?

 In the life of Abraham, we see illustrated clearly that God is greater than willful mistakes. He is greater than all the troubles of our own making. If He can turn it all around for our good, even when we created the mess, surely we can rest knowing He isn't holding our mistakes against us. That He is accepting of us at all times. That He remains faithful, even when we are faithless.

 Understand clearly, we as believers shouldn't pursue sin, or accept poor choices and just make excuses such as this is just the way I am. We shouldn't allow the spirit of the present age or Worldly trends to mold us or shape our thinking. Now as we make that clear, what about when we do sin? Should we be afflicted with overwhelming guilt in our thought life?

 Guilt comes with its accusing voice saying, "you've really blown it this time.""God could never use you again.""God surely won't answer that prayer." "You've let God down." Or the worst of all, "You're filthy, you're dirty, you're a failure, you have no place in God's kingdom, the plans He has for you are thwarted and nullified, and you did it!"

 I have great Grace, good news. You can't ever let God down, you're not holding Him up. When you received Jesus, He judged you not guilty. He declares you're the righteousness of God in Christ. You've not just been declared righteous because of Him taking your place, but because of the blood and the New Creation, you are actually made righteous!

 In summation, should we as believers accept guilt? Absolutely not! If we sin, we feel regret and also a realization of our newness in Christ. With the love of God having been shed abroad in our hearts, we can't take pleasure in doing wrong to others, even indirectly. This is the regret I am referring to, the change of mind saying I shouldn't have done that, that wasn't walking in the love of God. The Spirit convicts us of our righteous new nature and we again realize this behavior isn't who we are. We should never let our behavior determine who we are. Our identity in Him will eventually determine our behavior when we accept and identify with who He made us in Christ.

Image courtesy of iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Great Grace: A Better Covenant

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV





  We've been in an extended study of the great Grace of God. We have seen His Grace is greater than our failures. We've seen how forgiven we are. Continuing in this study of His great Grace I'd like to ask you some simple questions.

 Have you ever had a favorite restaurant? Now imagine your favorite restaurant said they were going to temporarily shut down to upgrade to a new and better menu. What if when they reopen, this "new and improved" restaurant had fewer items on the menu to include your favorite dish? Would you say the restaurant was new and improved? Would you say it is better than before?

 More than likely not. Imagine you're in an electronic store and you purchase a computer. You take it home and use it often. Then you hear about a newer model of your computer brand for sale. So wishing to upgrade, you purchase this newer computer. What if this new computer didn't do half as much as the older computer? Would you consider the new computer an upgrade or a better computer? Of course not.

A Better Covenant

 My point is simply to illustrate what defines better. It isn't better if what replaces the old doesn't do more than the old. Sadly, this is exactly what many have taught about the New Covenant. According to religious tradition, the Old seems to be better than the New. The Word thankfully disagrees.
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 NKJV

 Thank God, this New Covenant is established on better promises. Tradition doesn't seem to accept this. I've even heard fellow Christians say things like prosperity was an integral part of the Old Covenant, but that was for the Jews. Prosperity is not for us in this New Covenant. Wait a minute. If the New Covenant is better than the Old but the Old promised provision for the children of Israel, His servants, but under the New, provision for His sons and daughters isn't a part of the Covenant, how is that a better Covenant? 

 Think of it. If the New Covenant is a better Covenant, built upon better promises if Father God provided for the needs of His servants under the Old, how much more under the New will He provide for us? If prosperity was His Covenant promise under the Old, Then under the New Covenant God will do the same as the Old, plus some! 

 Under the Old, He covered sins. Those sins were covered for a year. Now under this new and better Covenant, He doesn't merely cover our sins for a year. Jesus precious blood eternally cleansed us and forgave us once for all time. We don't have yearly forgiveness. We have eternal forgiveness! 

 Sadly, under the New, religion thinks the forgiveness of our sins only lasts from the time between our last sin until our next mistake, misstep, and sin. Under the Old, the Israelites knew their sins were at the least covered for a year. This confusion exists because traditional religion blends the Old Covenant with the New.

Contrasting the Old and the New

Under the Old, sins were not forgiven but covered and the guilty conscience was always present. Under the New, our sins were cleansed by the blood of Jesus, forgiven, past present and future. Under the New, He is merciful to our mistakes and mess ups and remembers our sins and iniquities no more and grants us a clean conscience before God. 

 Under the Old, the blessings of God were contingent upon us adhering to and perfectly obeying the commandments of God. In the New Covenant, we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places. On the Cross, He bore our poverty that we through His once for all sacrifice might be abundantly supplied. 

 Under the Old, healing came by hearkening diligently unto His commandments, keeping His statutes, and doing that which is pleasing in His sight. In the New Covenant, Jesus bore all our sickness and disease on the Cross. In His Finished Work, He took our pain and carried our sickness. By His stripes, we have been healed. Our healing is received by Grace through faith, because of His goodness and Finished Work, not our steadfastness or our good works and diligence to obey His Word. 

In this New and better Covenant, we have peace with God. We have perfect acceptance in the eyes of our Father. We receive His free gift of righteousness. We have been made worthy by His blood. This New Covenant is above and beyond better than the Old. 

What makes the New Covenant Better?

 Sure we know we have healing, provision, forgiveness, right standing and acceptance with Father God in this New Covenant and thank God for it. But what really makes it new and better?

 Under the Old, we had a high priest who couldn't sympathize with our weaknesses. The high priest wasn't eternal. He had to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people and himself. 

 

 Under the Old, the Law was the schoolmaster. It revealed the perfect standard. It tells us what to do but never empowered anyone to do it. It is good and perfect and holy but can not make anyone else good or perfect or holy. 

 Under the Old, they had the prophets to reveal the plan of God. These men of old often prophesied of the Messiah to come. The nation of Israel had to come to the prophets for direction and wisdom and guidance. 

 What makes the New Covenant better? It is simple, the New Covenant is better because of the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus makes this Covenant above and beyond better.

 Jesus is now our great high priest. He is eternal. He is sinless perfection. He sympathizes with our weaknesses and is there giving us strength. He is our eternal high priest. He sits upon the right hand of God praying and interceding for us.

 He fulfilled the Law. He gave us His righteousness and He dwells within us and leads us and guides us into all truth. We need not look to Law or Prophets for how to live our lives. He is with us and within us. He leads us in paths of righteousness. 

 Jesus is always with us. He will never leave or forsake us. When we feel lonely or broken, know Jesus has never left us. He is always there. Jesus is our friend and good Shephard. He comforts us in all times.

 In summation, we have a new and better Covenant because of Jesus, the person of great Grace. We are secure in His hand. He is our intercessor. He is our great high priest. He is our advocate whenever we blow it. When we sin, God simply sees Jesus and the Finished Work and says that's already been paid for. We have the Son, we have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Almighty God as our friend and brother. Jesus makes this Covenant new and better. 

 Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Great Grace: More Than a Feeling

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV





  We are continuing in this extensive study of His great Grace. Let's examine another truth that will propel you to a deeper appreciation for His Grace, and a better understanding of its working in our lives. Let's look at some Scripture.

17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 NKJV

 Grace and Truth came through Jesus. Note that Law is on one side and Grace and Truth are on the other. This also reveals Truth is on the side of Grace, not Law. 

 We've talked extensively about Grace. What about Truth? Just what is this Truth? Let me share a progression of passages to elaborate. 

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17 NKJV 
According to the Lord Jesus Christ, Truth is the Word of God. Of course, we know Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is the person of Grace. He is the Word manifest. This doesn't alter the fact that the Scriptures are also referred to as the truth. 

 If Truth is God's Word, what always accompanies the Word?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

 Why point out all these passages? Looking at John 1:17, I see the Lord revealing to us this New Covenant. Note He made a dividing line. He distinguishes Grace and Truth from the Mosaic Law. That means the Old Covenant was a Covenant established by Law and activated in the life of men by performance, effort, Law observance, and obedience. 

We see examples of His Grace and mercy and loving kindness throughout the Old because that is the Father's nature. However, the Old was not a Covenant of Grace. The Old consisted of men, through effort doing something and God responding.


 The New Covenant was established by Grace. It is a Covenant of Grace. It isn't a relationship rooted in our observance of all the rules and regulations. It isn't God blessing us because of our goodness or faithfulness but His Goodness and faithfulness. It isn't us finding favor by our achievements but us walking in divine favor because of Jesus's achievements. We are in a Covenant cut between the Father and the Son where we are the beneficiaries. 

 If the Old was established by Law and activated by personal efforts and works, then how is this New Covenant activated in our lives? Understand the Covenant has already been ratified by the Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to walk in the benefits is to receive it. How do we receive it? By faith. The New Covenant was established by Grace but is activated in our lives by Faith.

 Look at what Paul said about this Grace, here. Paul declared it clearly, we have access into Grace by faith. If we journey through all the Epistles we see this New Covenant emphasizing Faith and Grace. The two go hand in hand.

 Since faith comes by hearing the Word, and the Word is the Truth, Then could it be stated the Law came by Moses but Grace and Faith came by Jesus Christ? I don't see this adding to or taking away from the Scripture. 

 I believe this is a dimension of Grace we need to really explore. Because when faith has been taught in the past, it was always void of Grace. Often times faith has been about us doing things to ensure we were in faith. Grace and faith were meant to operate together.

Feelings, nothing more than a feeling...

  Look at religious tradition. They can't accept that we are righteous by faith alone. It needs to be accompanied by something outward. That is why we have seen a resurgence by some advocating a return to observance of Jewish customs and feast days. 

 It appeals to some because one's "righteousness" is easily observable. One can visibly see a person keeping a certain day or abiding by the ritualistic religiosity of men's tradition.  It's much easier and less messy when they see a believer at their lowest point, to simply dismiss them and write them off. 

 It's much more of a challenge to walk by faith. It is more difficult for our minds to agree with what the Word says about a believer in the face of their current behavior. God's Word declares they're righteous, they're accepted in the Beloved, that His Finished Work has made them holy once for all time.

 Grace is messy. Restoration is dirty work. It is getting down in the muck and the mire and saying to people God still loves you and you're precious in His sight. It takes faith to agree with and to declare what God said about that person. 

 Another area where feelings dominate is in our personal relationship with God. Do you recall when you first received Jesus? That moment when you felt brand new? That moment when you sensed the burden lift? Or when you received the Baptism in the Spirit? Often times throughout our walk with God we have a tendency to try and recapture those same emotions.

We base our spiritual development and maturity on the level of "passion" we presently possess. Some go so far as to question their very salvation because they don't always have the "excitement" they had the first few days of their salvation. We sing songs bemoaning our lack of zeal, crying out take me back dear Lord to the place where I first received you.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

  Paul said on three occasions that the righteous live by faith. We don't walk by our senses. Our salvation isn't based on feelings. Our righteousness isn't rooted in our emotions. 

 We may not always feel righteous, or look righteous or sometimes act righteous but that doesn't alter what God's Word declared. It decreed we are the righteousness of God in Christ because we believed in Him and received His free gift. We are to place our complete trust, and confidence in that Word, not in fickle feelings. 

 What about a passionate walk? In reality, what most people call passion is more often than not merely a reference to some kind of feeling. Are you saved? Do you know you're forgiven and eternally secure? Do you know you are righteous in Him? Do you know He gave you His authority to accomplish His plan and purpose in your life? Do you know You're completely loved and accepted with Him? Does this make you thankful? Does this bring a rest and refreshing? Then relax you're already in a fruitful, exciting relationship with Father God. There is no need to try and drum up some feeling to convince yourself you're zealous for God.

 Please don't misunderstand me. God made us, He gave us emotions. They are wonderful. They are a great way to express ourselves in this present world. I am not advocating we abandon emotions. I am only saying don't let them lead you and dominate you. Instead be fully persuaded of what He says. 

 In summation, sometimes our emotions will agree with what God said about us but sometimes our feelings are fickle and they will disagree with what He said about us. Stay with what the Word says about us in those times. Sometimes religious tradition will not agree with what God said about us because they are focusing on the outward. Faith says, I know I may have messed up or blown it but I am still His beloved. I am still accepted, loved and the righteousness of God in Him. Abide in Grace and walk by faith. 
Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Great Grace: Grace Works

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV

We are continuing our study of His great Grace. As of late, we have been examining the role of works in light of Grace and the Finished Work. What place do works have in this New Covenant?

Ditches, extremes, imbalance. 

 When it comes to works, two extremes sadly are all we really see. It is either Grace plus works equals reception of salvation, Divine favor, peace, wholeness and God's love. Or it is Grace means no work of any kind. Just do nothing. Even prayer or reading the Scriptures are self-effort or performance and legalism. 

 Grace is amazing. Grace is good news. It is the glad news that unworthy, lost, spiritually dead humanity has been offered a completely free gift of new life, acceptance, right standing, and peace. Grace doesn't need mankind to add to it to make it seem more appealing. 

 Frequently, I proclaim the good news that we are accepted by His work, not ours. We are blessed because He is faithful not because we are. We receive favor, peace and all other benefits of this redemption because He is good not because we are. This is the good news Gospel.

 So then what do we do with Paul, the Apostle of Grace words in Philippians?

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Philippians 2:12 NKJV

This passage has been used to frighten saints that if they don't work right they will forfeit their salvation. That they will lose it if they aren't found faithful. That God will test them and see them wanting and their fruit not developed. He will then be so displeased He will toss them aside. Is this the right image? Is this what Paul is conveying?

  

 Certainly not! Remember Jesus words. He declared He would never cast us out. He said we are forever secure in His hands and the hands of the Father. This passage isn't about scaring the Saints into believing we will lose our salvation. In Him, we are eternally secure!

 What Paul didn't say is work for your salvation in fear and trembling. He didn't say work out someone else's salvation with fear. This is the nagging of a parent or spouse or friend, the doom, and gloom preaching with its pointed finger. We will never see fruit produced by scaring folk into right living or nagging them and constantly reminding them how much they are always missing it.

 Has Paul the Apostle of Grace abandoned the message of Grace in exchange of a mixed message of performance and achievement? Paul is consistent with his message throughout the Epistles. What then is he teaching?

 I would like you to read this passage in full context. That is the only way we can fully grasp what Paul is actually saying. Philippians 2:1-15.

In full context, what is evident? Paul is addressing our outward walk. It can't mean work to achieve the blessing or favor. It is also clear that he isn't saying work for your salvation or work to maintain it. He says work out your salvation. Clearly, if it's "your salvation" then you obviously possess it and there is no indication that it is in jeopardy to be lost. 

 Paul is telling us to be who we are in Christ. It is not a performance based relationship. Now, this may surprise you but this phrase "work out" in the Greek means to perform, to accomplish, to achieve. To do that in which something results. Now we can't change this definition. And we can't alter the Grace Gospel. So how does this fit?

 It may sound cliche, but this is the only way I can say it. It is to work out of you what has already been worked into you. This Grace has already been given. We have the very life and nature of God within us. We are perfectly remade, righteous and holy. In other words, cooperate with God and bear the fruit of this recreated heart. Now to do this we are going to have to give diligence. 

 This isn't performance and self-effort. This is being who He already made us. How then do we give all diligence to bear fruit? It is by devoting our time to renew our minds with His Word. It is by spending time in His presence in sweet communion and fulfilling fellowship via prayer and praise and worship and adoration of our good and loving Father. In a nutshell, it's changing our thinking from the fleshy way this World thinks and the wrong thinking inspired by the enemy. 

 I must emphasize, this is not the toiling, the striving, the "hamster wheel" burn out inducing self-efforts of religious duty. This is a relationship with our Father. His Grace produces an empowerment. Live in and operate out of this Grace. Spending time with the Father, reading His Word, choosing love over strife and bitterness, saying no to the flesh (that old thinking from our old nature), isn't burdensome nor is it legalistic bondage. It is the fruitful new life in Christ.

 A brief note about the phrase "with fear and trembling". Is Paul teaching we need to be fearful of God? Should we be living in insecurity? No this is reverential awe of a Holy God and King who so loved us He gave His own Son. It is honoring the free gift.

 In the Greek to tremble carries with it the idea of knowing the reality that, "If there is a way, I can and probably will screw this up, falter and fail. I can't do this on my own." This fear and trembling are a reverential honor of realizing our shortcomings and inability to save ourselves and putting all our trust and confidence in His faithfulness and keeping power. It is a holy awe of His Grace! Don't make light of Grace. Without Him, we could never overcome or produce any fruit, no matter the amount of discipline and diligence we possess and exercise. 

 In summation, Paul is wanting us to bear fruit so we can be a bright light to a Lost World. God wants us to be the light in a darkened World. This is why bearing fruit is so vital. God wants to reach the lost. As wicked as sometimes men are, God sees them as lost and desires for them to come and receive the free gift of Grace. So let's give all diligence to bearing the fruit we already have within so we can be a beacon of hope for this World.

image courtesy of iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Great Grace: "Religious Grace"

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV



We are continuing our study of His great Grace. Last week we began touching on the tender subject of Grace and works. You can read it here. While researching the delicate balance of Grace and works I made an observation that I sense needs to be addressed.


 Since the inception of this revelation, this revolution, this divine awakening, this reformation of Grace no sincere and fair minded believer can deny the impact it has had on the Body of Christ. Believers have reexamined their walk with God. Many reports of a fresh renewal and awakening of a personal relationship with God abound. Awareness of His Grace or the lack thereof is on the minds of believers.

In this environment, a response is necessary. Many embrace the revelation and reality of His great Grace. Some, sadly, distort and pervert Pure Grace with foolish philosophies like inclusionism or universal salvation. Still others, many in church hierarchies stubbornly reject Grace, preferring legalism and self-efforts and performance driven traditions. 

 Yet because of the immense impact and in some circles great excitement of Grace, traditional religion must have a response. They can't just preach against Grace. They can't just label it as heresy and move on. They don't want to isolate potential members to their churches. What is their solution?

Religious Grace

 They can't have that Radical Grace wreck all their traditions. They instead must adapt and rearrange wording to appear gracious. Let me give you an example to help illustrate this point.

 In days gone by, the Charismatic movement and Word of Faith message like a wave overtook the Body of Christ. I will admit there was some excess in Faith circles and Charismatic meetings. That said these were genuine moves of God. I learned about the operation of His Gifts in the Charismatic church. I discovered who I was in Christ, what I have in Him because of redemption, and the authority of the believer in Faith circles. I realized I could trust God and take Him at His Word.

 These moves became immensely influential in the Body of Christ as a whole. I observed over the years, their influence on some church groups and various denominations. For example, I saw many church groups began affirming who they were in Christ in their church meetings and Bible studies. Granted they didn't accept much of what Bro Kenneth E. Hagin or Frederick K.C. Price said but they sure liked the results of adopting some of the same practices in their meetings. 

 Presently, His great Grace is impacting the Church and the World alike. People are coming to receive the free gift of life in Christ. Believers are being freed from performance concepts and awakening to a sweet, life changing relationship with their Father. Not wanting to miss out traditional religion has now begun to adopt some of the language of Grace in their midst. 

 This is what I mean by religious Grace. You can see it on the signs outside their churches, they will place some hint of Grace in their wording. These are merely catchy slogans. They adopt the language of Grace but not the revelation and reality of Grace.

 The truth is religion cannot deny or do away with their  requirements and rituals. They may wear casual clothes, smile with perfect teeth and style hair, but don't be fooled. They still cling to their religious tradition. 

 They're easy to detect, just listen to them. 

"Yes we're righteous, but more importantly we must be living righteously."

"Righteousness is what He did, holiness is what we do."

"We're saved by grace but sanctified by the Law."

"Grace needs balance and boundaries."

 Another way to detect the pseudo grace folk is to see how they define Grace. When they begin to alter the definition of Grace from unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor to something else beware. They put emphasis on what Grace produces not what it is. 

 I've heard preachers discount and downright deny Grace is the unmerited favor of God. They try to define Grace as an ability gift, as divine enablement. What are they really doing?

 Religious Grace simply alters the definition and impact of Grace in favor of keeping their standards. Religion accepts a watered down version of Grace. They formulate a grace wherein all the rules, the regulations, the creeds, and the traditions of their particular church group are still intact and in effect. 

Religion expresses Grace this way; grace is great, we concede, but you need to still be observing this or practicing that. To them, Grace is merely an empowerment to observe and keep all the rules. It's not Grace that produces change and growth. It is your effort, your striving, your determination, and discipline. 

 Be aware. Don't accept a substitute for Radical Grace. See how Paul distinguish true Grace vs religious grace: 

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6 NKJV

6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. Romans 11:6 NLT

 Grace is Grace, and works are works. Religious performance "grace" is not Grace at all. It is a mixture. Our Father isn't a harsh taskmaster driving us to produce fruit. Grace, the unearned and unmerited favor of God deposits fruit in our heart. Grace's divine influence produces new desires. It compels us through love to follow the good path of righteousness and peace. 

 In summation, embrace the pure Radical Grace of God. Don't accept substitutes. Don't follow a Grace mixed with men's standards, rules, rituals or regulations. Don't be misled by definitions of Grace that allow for the traditions and rituals of religion to stand alongside the free gift of Grace. If it's Grace, it is free, undeserved and impossible to achieve or earn. If you're hearing a message that says we can achieve more favor, blessing or peace by our doing more, working harder, performing better, realize you're not hearing pure Grace.