The Gospel of Grace: the Reality of the Powerful Blood of Jesus

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition

We've been in an ongoing study of the Good News Gospel of Grace. The Good News of Jesus and what He has done for us in the Finished Work. We've seen that this Gospel is about a relationship and not a religion. We've seen the reality of our righteousness in Christ. We've seen what it means to be a New Creation in Him.

 Today, I feel lead to share on a topic that sadly many ministries fail to mention. Today, I want to share with you the reality of the powerful Blood of Jesus. When was the last time you heard a minister preach on the Blood? What about a new book on Jesus' Blood? 

 The Precious Blood of Jesus is the foundation of the whole Gospel. Without the Blood, there is no Redemption. There is no Righteousness. There is no Finished Work. There is no amazing Grace. 

 Let me tell you the Good News. Jesus Blood is so powerful, beyond anything we can even fathom. This precious powerful Blood is more than enough to bring victory, triumph, and complete wholeness in every area of life. 

Redemption through His Blood

 The Blood of Jesus has purchased our complete redemption. 

 
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

 His perfect Blood purchased our complete redemption. This redemption isn't a downpayment. He didn't shed His perfect Blood and then expect us to continue to pay for our redemption by our own efforts and performance. This is a paid in full redemption. 

 When Adam fell, he doomed mankind. We were under the dominion of sin and death. We were "owned" if you will by the enemy. We were "owned" by our sinful nature. The flesh wielded dominion over us, but Jesus came and paid a high price for you and me. To redeem means to purchase back, to buy back. He bought us back from sin, death and the enemy. By His Blood, He has completely paid for us. 

 Jesus paid the highest price. He shed His perfect blood. He died for you and me. His perfect Blood was actually an overpayment. He paid for our sins past and present and future. Because of this redemption, we can walk in dominion and authority.

They sang a new song and these are the words they sang, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 Phillips 

 The enemy, the flesh, and this world system have no more dominion over us. Meaning we don't have to do things their way. We can forgive when others do us wrong. We can show love when others bring hate. We can walk in freedom when they allure us to indulge in lust and unbridled passion.

 Because of this perfect redemption, purchased by the Blood, we can walk in dominion in this life. We have authority over depression. We have authority over fear. We have authority over the schemes of the enemy and his lies. The enemy fears those who know who they are because of the Blood.

We are perfectly cleansed by the Blood

 In the rare event tradition shares anything about the Blood it's usually to say we as believers are merely covered by the Blood. 

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Revelation 1:5 NKJV

 Because of this precious Blood shed we who received are perfectly cleansed and whole. We aren't merely covered by the Blood. We are totally cleansed by the Blood. 

 To cover leaves the idea that the stain is still there but something is covering it up so it is not visible. Too often, under tradition, I still felt like a dirty rotten sinner. I felt if I blew it I was dirty and needed cleansing. Even if I hadn't sinned, I still saw myself as unworthy. Thanks be to God for the knowledge of the truth. Thank God for His Grace. 

 The truth is His precious Blood totally cleansed us and made us alive in Him. His perfect Blood made us worthy. We aren't unworthy sinners whom God tolerates. We are made whole by this Blood.

This is why we must reject these religious traditions. Seeing ourselves as merely covered by the Blood and not completely cleansed by His Blood, produces sin consciousness. It gives way to the concept that we as believers are mere sinners saved by Grace and not perfectly cleansed Righteous New Creations in Christ.

 We were sinners, we got saved by His Grace. Now we've been totally cleansed and are in perfect right standing. There is no shame, no condemnation, no accusation that can stand against us. We are pure and holy by this Blood.

We have Peace through the precious Blood

In Christ, through His shed Blood, we have perfect peace with God.

20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20 NKJV

 We have perfect peace with God. We have peace with God in relation to His Law. True the Law was given to Israel and not Gentile nations but the Law is a representation of God's perfect standard of Righteousness, which is absolute perfection. No man can keep that standard. 

 Because of this perfect Blood, Jesus perfection is ours. We trust in His faithfulness and never our own. Because of the Blood, we have peace from trying to keep the law in so much that we can now rest on Mt Zion versus struggling on Mt Sinai! Because of the Blood, we are free from the law. We are no longer at unrest trying to follow the commandments on stone that could only demand and never supply! 

 We can also rejoice in this peace, purchased for us by His Blood, knowing God is not mad at us. How can we be in a relationship with one who is always angry and filled with wrath towards us? Jesus bore all the wrath and judgment on that Cross. God is not mad at anyone. God and I are at peace. 

 In summation, be mindful of the reality of the power of the Blood. This precious Blood is essential to living the Grace life. Because of this shed Blood, we have perfect reconciliation. He is not holding our sins against us. We have a complete and perfect redemption. We are completely cleansed and whole. Perfect peace is ours through this Blood. 

 As the old song said, this Blood was not just blood of another spotless lamb. This Blood was precious Blood for it washed and cleansed the sins of man. This Blood still heals our bodies and sets our spirits free. This Blood is still flowing freely today! 

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The Gospel of Grace: The Reality of our Righteousness in Christ

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition

 We've been in a study of the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of God's Grace pledged and manifested in Christ. We've seen that this Gospel is not about religion but relationship. We've seen the reality of the New Creation what it means to be a New Creation in Him.

 Today, it seems good to explore the reality of our Righteousness in Christ. Just what does it mean to be righteous? Is being righteous a state we arrive at one day by much effort? Is being righteous a state of being where we never miss it, blow it, or ever sin again?

 Righteousness isn't a mystery. It isn't a real deep concept. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says it clearly that righteousness is part of the basics. The reason some misunderstand righteousness is that they infuse works and faith. 

Righteousness

 Let's define Righteousness Biblically. When understanding what it is we can also see what it isn't. Righteousness is the Greek word "dikaiosune." Strong's defines it as Christian justification. So what does justification mean? The Greek word dikaioo translated justified means to render just or innocent, free, be righteous. 

 In a nutshell, Justification is to be declared righteous. What the Cross, the Finished Work accomplished is that God declared those who believe Righteous. Even more so, His perfect cleansing Blood actually made us Righteous. 

Righteousness by Faith

 Righteousness is not a message of works that we perfect enough to become something. The great exchange occurred in the Finished Work. Jesus became something He never was, He was made sin, so we could become something we've never been, Righteous. 

 Being Righteous doesn't mean we never mess up again. It doesn't mean we are fully mature believers overnight. Being made Righteous occurs instantly the moment we believe and through Him, we mature into who He has already made us.

 Righteousness isn't a work we achieve, it's a gift we receive. If Righteousness was attainable by our doing, then why did Christ have to suffer and die? If Righteousness is received by the infusion of works and Faith, what work of men helped Jesus complete the plan of redemption? What part of Redemption did mankind help Jesus pay for? Righteousness is a gift no amount of works, good deeds, self-effort or promises to live better could merit its reception.

 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:9 NKJV

Paul the Apostle many times reveals that it is a false message, a false gospel if you will, that states we must earn righteousness. Some may say I am not about keeping Law but then will place more and more burdens on people to achieve right standing with God. Let's look at what righteousness is again.

 Righteousness is a gift we receive by Faith. Righteousness means to be in right standing with God. Righteousness is that state where we stand perfectly accepted and approved by Father God apart from our performance or behavior. Righteousness means we stand complete in Christ. Righteousness means we have the right and privilege to boldly stand in God Almighty's presence without any sense of shame, fear, guilt, condemnation or inferiority. 

 Now any message you hear that states you must do something besides believe to find this right standing with God, know that is false teaching. If women are told to not cut their hair and never wear makeup to be acceptable to God reject that lie. If men are told to remove the jewelry, be clean shaven and have their hair cut short to be found pleasing to God reject that idea. 

 You see, religious tradition creates works, deeds, activities one must engage in for God to find people pleasing and acceptable to God. When they do this, they are preaching a message of works righteousness. We are only accepted and pleasing to God by Grace through Faith. 

 Am I saying God will always find us acceptable and pleasing regardless of our thoughts, words, and behavior? The answer to that question is found in an understanding of our identity. Words, thoughts, and deeds aren't the sum total of who we are. 

 In Christ, as a beloved child of God, made in perfect right standing by Faith in Christ I am made perfectly accepted and approved and pleasing to the Father. Actions apart from identity aren't always accepting and pleasing. As a Good Father, He lovingly reminds me of my identity and more and more I choose my true identity and not the false one that the enemy, the flesh (wrong thinking) and the world system try to convince me of, I find freedom and walk in my true identity. 

 Again, any message that teaches us that we must do certain things to be found acceptable to God is rejecting the truth of Righteousness by Faith. Rest knowing if you have believed you are accepted and approved of God. You don't have to join in self-improvement works programs tradition creates. The whole "If I just did this more" or "If I did this less" God would find me accepting and pleasing, is a burden that weighs down people and slowly removes the joy of their salvation. 

 In summation, know believer, that you are the very righteousness of God in Christ. Christ exchanged your old sinful life with the New. He recreated you righteous and perfectly holy. He gave you His Righteousness. You are just as Righteous as Jesus. You never need to look for approval from any man. You've been given an irrevocable Righteousness. You're forever Righteous and accepted and approved of God. Now be you, the you He created you to be. 

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The Gospel of Grace: the Reality of the Truth of God's Word

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition

  We've begun a study of the Good News Gospel of Grace. So far we've seen that this Gospel isn't a religion. The Gospel reveals this New Covenant is about a relationship. We've seen the reality of the New Creation. What it means to be a New Creation in Christ. 

 Today, I sensed the impression to address an area that has been severely neglected when ministering the Gospel of Grace. It seems in some gatherings that God's Word is of minimal value. It seems to have taken a receive it or dismiss it place in some people's lives. What must be brought back to the forefront is the truth that apart from God's Word we would have no knowledge of the New Covenant and what we have in Christ.

 God's Word is the eternal truth. It is a light to our path. It leads us and guides onto right paths, revealing the truth. Some have said it is not God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Bible. I would agree with that in the sense that they meant it. Some tradition-bound believers believe God isn't speaking to or leading His children any longer since we have the Scripture. 

 The key to keeping this truth centered is that any impressions or thoughts you have inwardly would never contradict Scripture. The Spirit authored the Scripture. Therefore, He would never contradict or dismiss Himself.

 What the Gospel doesn't do is dismiss God's Word. Anytime someone says the Word is wrong and their view or "revelation" is right, know that they are in serious error. God would never contradict His Word. Understanding this, let me expound of the purpose of the Gospel briefly.

 The Gospel is the proclamation of the Good News. It is the glad tidings of the Grace of God pledged and manifested in Jesus Christ, and His Finished Work. The purpose of the Gospel is to herald Good News so the lost can be found, turning from darkness to light.  It's a celebration of redemption.

 The Gospel of Grace is not, however, designed to be some weapon of mass destruction. Yes, God in Christ, soundly defeated the enemy. His truth destroys the works of the enemy. Understand though, that the Gospel is not about tearing down portions of the Body of Christ. It isn't given to tear down "religion" or to be a tool to shock and irritate fellow Christians. 

 Some have adopted a concept that Grace is designed to destroy and tear down people. what do I mean? Yes, religious tradition is highly mistaken in their teaching. Do you believe then that God wants to smite them? No, God wants to see their eyes open to the truth.

 We do a disservice when we say religion lied to me. To lie means that one knows the truth, and maliciously conceals that truth purposefully misleading others. Instead, just be sincere, religious tradition is mistaken and they spread mistaken ideas about God and His goodness. I wasn't lying when I used to teach we could lose our salvation. Why? Because I sincerely believed we could. I was mistaken. I didn't have a clear understanding of the truth of the Word.

 This is why we need to understand God's Word in light of the New Covenant. It isn't that the Bible is wrong, its that we haven't rightly divided it in light of the New. Truth is we all need each other. The whole Body of Christ. No Christian is our enemy. We are the Family of God. God wants all of His kids to understand the truth of Grace. Berating, belittling, being bitter towards others will not cause that to come to pass.

The Word is Truth

 The Word is truth. Religion may misunderstand it. However, the foolish one dismisses it or twists it to find a following. Or to find "favor" in the eyes of the World system. Jesus didn't find approval or acceptance in the World's eyes, so why do we so often seek their approval?

 Don't allow foolishness to guide your study and understanding of God's Word. All Scripture is for edification, exhortation, instruction, correction, wisdom and sound doctrine. His Word is the eternal, immutable Truth. 

 God's Word never was, nor ever is or will be, some type of riddle or puzzle or code that we must decipher, ever searching to find some new hidden meaning that will concur with and conform to the sentiments of modern ages and secular cultures. Bible interpretation isn't about appeasing the masses, diluting truth to be more acceptable to the natural minded, or dismissing whatever "secular progressives" deem to objectionable.

 The truth is we can't win this World by appealing to their sinful nature. We can't win them by conforming to their darkness. We can't win them by finding new tenets of the faith to publicly deny. We win the lost, by revealing the light. By showing them the love of the Father. By revealing that He isn't mad at anyone and that He isn't holding their sins against them.

 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

 The Good News Gospel is clearly revealed to us in God's Word. We need to realize the reality of the truth of God's Word. God's Word reveals and details all that belongs to us in Christ.

The Title Deed

 God's Word is the promise of what we have in Christ. Faith is the title deed. Faith rests in what God promised. A title deed means even if I can't see it or feel it I know beyond a doubt I possess it.

 If you have the title deed of a house, it means you have a house whether anyone believes you or not. This is amazingly Good News when it comes to the Gospel. God's Word is our sure guarantee it is Finished.

 It's the Word that tells us we've been forgiven once for all time. It's the Word that tells us we've been made the righteousness of God in Christ. It's the Word that tells us we've been made accepted in the beloved. It's the Word that reveals we are eternally secure in Christ. It's the Word that reveals by His stripes we were healed. 

 When we blow it and feel like we are out of fellowship, the Word reminds us, He will never leave or forsake us. When we sin and we feel like we are unworthy, The Word reminds us He made us worthy by the Blood of Christ. When we mess up so badly, the enemy comes with condemnation, the Word reminds us we are righteous and are under no condemnation in Christ no matter what it looks like or feels like. 

 In summation, never lose sight of the importance and preeminent place of God's Word. It is the anchor in tough times. It reminds us of all Christ accomplished on our behalf. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. Whenever men, tradition, the World system, the enemy brings their error, their mistaken ideas, their accusations, their lies, we have a more sure Word that silences them all and is the final authority in all things. God's Word is invaluable in the life of the believer. It's God's love letter to humanity. It's His eternal truth revealed to mankind. His Word is non-negotiable, no devil, no tradition, no man can alter or deter it. His Word is love, light, and truth.

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The Gospel of Grace: the Reality of the New Creation

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition


 We've begun a new series of study on the Gospel of Grace. We are digging deep expounding on the truths of this glorious Gospel. We've seen that this Gospel isn't a religion. It isn't a message of lethargy but at the same time, not a message rooted in works and personal achievements and performance.

 Today, I sense the leading to expound on the reality of the New Creation. What it means to be a New Creation in Him. We need to understand what this New Creation entails. We also need to understand what it doesn't mean to be a New Creation but will get to that.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

 As a new believer, I had this passage memorized. It was a verse that always brought me joy. Yet, in most churches, the fullness of this passage wasn't expounded. What it really means to be a New Creation in Christ was not fully explored.

 How can I say this with such boldness? How can I be so direct? Because so often, I am seeing believers share things about their struggles. The challenges they experience in their faith. What challenge or struggle? The contention they have over their past.

 Some have acknowledged how their past life, their past sins, their old ways weigh heavy on them and their conscience. I hear such reports and my heart goes out to them. What have they been taught I wonder? Do they not understand who they are in Him? 

 Religion prides itself in reminding believers how unworthy they are. Most of their message center around how people aren't measuring up. How they are letting God down. How they are losing ground because of their unfaithfulness. I believe many feel they have not had a real church experience unless they were made to feel guilty, small, and unworthy at some point.

 Cutting through all the traditions of men and relinquishing religious mindsets we can bring freedom when people realize what it means to be a New Creation in Him. With that, we must really understand what happens at the New Birth. Paul explains our state before and after salvation comes. 

 Paul masterfully reveals our condition. We were dead, that is spiritually separated by our sinful deeds and sin nature. It wasn't just our actions and thinking that were wrong. Our spirit man was separated, we had a sinful nature. It wasn't just what we did but who we were that needed redemption. 

 That is why salvation is more than just forgiveness of sin. Many traditional churches seem to say salvation is merely being forgiven of sins. But if you pardon a criminal the desire to commit a crime will still exist. We needed more than forgiveness. We needed total transformation. 

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) Ephesians 2:5 NKJV

 The New Creation is when we receive total forgiveness but also a recreated human spirit. God comes in and makes us completely new. He deposits within us all we will ever need to be a successful, fruitful Christian. He sanctifies us once for all time. He makes us the very righteousness of God in Him, just as righteous as Jesus. He washes us with His precious blood cleansing us from all sin. We are totally remade new, with the fruit of His love shed abroad in our heart. His faith is within us, and His Spirit makes His abode in us. This is the Good News of New Creation realities. 

 We are completely new. Our past is over. Our sins are as far as the east is from the west. Our sins are forgiven forever. Our past is cleansed and the guilt and shame removed. Our present is victorious as we are approved of God. Our future is bright because He holds our tomorrow and has gone before us in goodness and favor. All things are made new.

What we must caution against is misunderstanding what it means to be new. Some translate 2 Corinthians 5 as being a new life. It is if we understand it's speaking of a brand new spirit. However, some view the new as a new way of living. 

 This is where tradition turns the Good News into bad news. They see Paul's words and assume they mean a brand new way of living. Well, when the person claiming faith in Christ, doesn't measure up to the standards men have set, that person's salvation is now in question.

 Now the New Creation is measured by how faithful one is, how fruitful one is. What they are confusing is a New Creation and a renewed mind. It is only right believing and right thinking that produces right living. 

 What happens in the New Birth is your spirit is recreated and all things are made new inwardly. Some habits drop off almost instantly. However, spend some time with this babe in Christ in traffic. Or in a long line at a business or gov't building. The patience Christ produces hasn't developed yet. Saying no to certain temptations can still be a struggle. 

 What we mustn't do is use this time to claim these weren't obviously saved. Some will be so glad to see Bob the drunk come to church. They get real estatic when he walks the aisle receiving Jesus. Then next week or so and we see Bob drinking, so many would say well he must have not got it, he must not have been sincere, he must not be saved.

 However, if they spoke with Bob, they'd see getting drunk now just doesn't feel the same. Sure he got the buzz, but it just didn't feel right. It wasn't as fun. That's God teaching him not man and their wagging fingers. 

 Want to see fruit? Don't put burdens on people. Just remind them of who they are already. Focus the new believer on renewing their mind. Remember God changes us from the inside out not outward rules that are somehow supposed to produce change.

In summation, in Christ, we are brand new. The reality of the New Creation is a vital truth we as believers need to major in. If people just knew they were made completely new and totally forgiven the burdensome reminders of their past would fall away. Believer in Christ, you are a new species of being. Righteous, approved, accepted a brand new person from the inside out. 
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The Gospel of Grace: It's not a Religion!

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition


We've begun a new study examining the Gospel of Grace in its fullness. Last time we looked at the idea of effortless Christianity. On the fringe, some view the Gospel as a message affirming lethargy. Seeing any aspect of the Faith as works and performance. 

 When we examine the Gospel, we will naturally quell foolish errors as well as the accusations presented by the religious traditioned minded. What is best is to stay centered, stay focused on the truth. We mustn't allow bitterness or wounded emotions to form and fashion a "god" acceptable to our sentiments. 

 Today, I sense the leading to focus on the truth that life in Christ is not a religion. This is not a do this or perfect that and God may finally find you acceptable. In my time under performance-driven ministries, they often ascribed reasons as to why people weren't blessed. 

 They would say there is nothing wrong with God. There is nothing wrong or faulty with His eternal Word. Then there must be something wrong with you. They would say you must not have employed some spiritual discipline. Or you did but you didn't do it correctly. Or you didn't do it long enough. 

 Grace says, this New Covenant wasn't made between you and God. This Covenant was cut between the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. You don't have the power to nullify it. This New Covenant doesn't disqualify God's people. We come to God based on Jesus faithfulness, perfect obedience, and worthiness, never on our own merits. We receive God's goodness, favor, blessing by simple Faith, resting in Jesus Finished Work, not our own works or performance.


 The Gospel of Grace is predicated on Jesus Finished Work. It rests on the truth that the Father accepted Jesus work. The Gospel of Grace makes Jesus bigger in our eyes. It puts the Lord Jesus as the central focus of it all. For too long, our works, our performance, our track record had too much focus and Jesus was out of focus.

Living the Christian life under Grace

 I am going to give you some life-altering, amazingly Good News. I am going to simply and practically explain the Christian life. Here is the extra Good News that accompanies the Good News. None of what I am going to tell you is rooted in perfectionism or always getting it right. It is living the Christian life under Grace.

 So here it is, the simple, practical Christian life. Looking at the four Gospels, where we get to know Jesus better, seeing how He interacted with the sinner, the saint, and even His enemies. Going through Acts, seeing the Church in its beginning stages, how it navigated through life in good times and bad. Onto the Epistles and the Revelation, seeing day to day living, all the while patiently awaiting the triumphant return of our Savior.  All this together sums up the Christian life.

 You may say, brother, you haven't said anything about how to live. I am going to make it plain and simple right now. First things first, receive Jesus as Savior. We can debate this next point if you will and if you do then just move on, then receive the Baptism in the Spirit and that beautiful Grace gift of a prayer language. Follow the Lord in the waters of baptism. This is merely a public display of personal identification of faith in Jesus, not a work whereby you're saved. Now nothing we see so far is works or self-effort.

 Now putting the rest of the Scriptures together we see how to live as a believer under Grace, living out this relationship. How does this look? In a relationship, the two parties communicate, they fellowship, they enjoy each other. 

 Spend time with God. Read the Scriptures often. Meditate on them. This simply means ponder them. Take a passage, think about it and how it applies to you, in your daily life. Get to know who you are in Him, and continually remind yourself of who you are in Christ. Fellowship with God by spending time in prayer. When we pray, we are communicating with God. He gives us wisdom and insight on issues we personally face. Find some fellow Christians and get to know them. Build each other up. If you can, go to church. Bring your supply of His gifts and favor on your life and bless and minister to others. 

 Realize His great unconditional love for you. See and understand His amazing forgiveness He has bestowed upon you. Now walk in love and forgiveness to others. Be a generous giver. God gave us His Son. Be a blessing no matter how small the gift. 

 Guess what, I just laid out a simple way to live. This is performance free. All I have said is simply a byproduct of relationship, not religion. Loving people, forgiving people, fellowshipping with other believers, studying God's Word, gaining a better understanding of it the more you study, recognizing your true identity in Christ, ministering to others, devoting some time to God, spending time with Him in prayer, hanging out with your Father, none of this is based on perfection, always doing the right thing, or always getting it just right. Jesus already got it right, just lean on His righteousness, not yours. 

 As an added bonus, whenever New Year's rolls around you don't need to worry about some word for the year or some new discipline you need to be doing. Staying steadfast and immovable in the basics, relationship, and you will always see successful growth and maturity and fruitful living. 

 This is the Good News. Jesus perfectly performed the work. Rest in that. That is the foundation. On top of that, we begin a healthy relationship with God, first by understanding one important truth. That God loves you unconditionally. That He finds you perfectly acceptable right now. He has made you just, that is in perfect right standing, He has made you holy once for all time and given us His Spirit. We did nothing to earn, achieve, or merit any of this. 

 In summation, this Good News Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of Grace is rooted in Jesus unconditional love, God's approval, and Jesus perfectly completed Work. It is not dependant on your perfect obedience, or faithfulness or performance. The work is to believe in Jesus. The only labor is to enter into the rest. Jesus made the finish line, our starting point. 

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The Gospel of Grace: Effortless Christianity?

I am shocked over how quickly you have deserted the grace gospel and strayed away from Christ who called you to Himself by His loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel of salvation by works! 7 That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true! There is only one gospel—the grace gospel! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with Christ’s grace to confuse you with lies. Galatians 1:6-7 TPT first edition


 Whenever us believers hear something new, we as fallible humanity usually respond in similar ways. We either reject it and spend much energy fighting what we've just heard. Or we seemingly receive it but then follow it to the extreme turning it into something it was never intended to be, rejecting any and everything we've ever heard. Lastly, we sometimes simply receive it, study it, prove it out, and are better for it. 

What was your response when you heard the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace? How did you receive it? Or have you never heard the Good News? The Gospel of the Grace of God manifested in Christ Jesus. 

 Today, I'd like to address a response some have to the glorious Gospel of Grace. This area of practically living the Christian life. Some say it's effortless while others proclaim we have a part to play, rejecting this notion of effortless faith. So what is the right response?

Working harder or hardly working?

 If we stay centered we will come to a better understanding of what it means to live life under Grace, and have a focused understanding and awareness of the Finished Work. This is the most important truth we must grasp. It is Finished. It wasn't started and has yet to be finished. It wasn't begun by Christ and expected to be completed by us and our works and performance.  

 Jesus completed the Work. The Father is pleased. He has fully accepted the once for all sacrifice of His Son. He isn't waiting on its fulfillment or completion. It is Finished. The Father isn't looking for our contributions to Jesus' Work to "perfect" it or make it a reality. It's the Finished work, not the just started work or "the waiting on someone else to help complete it work." 

 We must understand the work is finished and keep that as the foundation for successful Christian living. Living the life in Christ must have its beginning with this understanding. So again let's ask, is it effortless Christian living? Before we answer I was reminded in my heart that we must give this some context to help more folk understand the issue.

Keep it in context

 The Body of Christ makes up some billions of people who've received Jesus and His free gift of Grace, life eternal. Apart from the essentials, all Christians believe, i.e. the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the infallibility of God's Word, Jesus is the only way anyone can be saved, God our Father is the maker of Heaven and Earth, there are various denominations to agree or disagree on the minor issues. So it stands that not all believers have the same experiences. 

 That said, the idea of effortless Christianity was really a response to what believers who had been involved with the Word of Faith Charismatic circles of Christianity had experienced. Over the years much of faith teaching had transformed from the idea that you could take God at His Word, that what He promised He would fulfill to more of a works and performance message. In essence, it mixed the Old and New Covenant when it came to receiving from God. 

 Effortless success was the way one Grace minister phrased it. Another said it a little clearer, speaking of self-effort. So the idea of effortless Christianity came as a response of sorts from the performance-driven, achieve to receive mindset many had adopted. 

 With that understanding, let's bring it back to the center. Do we have a part to play? Is Christianity effortless? Is Grace a message to affirm laziness, apathy, lethargy, and slothfulness? 

Living the Grace life

 Having been one of those under a performance-driven ministry hearing words like do your part, Christianity isn't effortless, can make me pull away from that. That is why we must live in the center and let go of the extremes. 

 The Gospel of Grace is not a do-nothing message. That is it is not a message promoting slackness and lethargy. If what you hear leaves you sensing that you should separate from the local church, fellow believers, Bible study, prayer and personal devotional time, note you haven't heard the Gospel. Grace is gracious and full of God's love. Love doesn't isolate itself.

 It is true that the Gospel of Grace is a do-nothing message in the sense of do nothing to earn or achieve or merit God's favor and goodness and love and blessing. Think, what righteous act could make you receive the most important gift of all, salvation? No amount of sacrifice, giving, Bible study, apparent faithfulness could merit God to make you righteous. 

 This is where the center is. Grace is effortless in the sense of personal merits, achievements, and works done to try to be found worthy enough to receive from God. Living under Grace isn't effortless in the sense of being in a relationship with our Father. Rest isn't inactivity, it is Spirit-led, Spirit-directed activity. 

 Now don't use the fleshly lie that the Holy Spirit hasn't lead you to be a giver or fellowship with fellow believers or ever pick up your Bible. What happened was He called and you hit ignore messages. Spending time with our Father is refreshing. It brings peace and guidance and wisdom. It isn't a chore or a work to perform.

 If Grace isn't completely effortless then what is our part? 

 29 ‘This is the work God wants of you,’ replied Jesus, ‘that you believe in the one he sent.’ John 6:29 NTE

 To believe in the one He sent. We believe in Jesus that's a living active Faith. If we believe we will follow Him. Look at James 2. Note James mentions Abraham and Rahab. Abraham offered his son. Rahab opened a door. They didn't do this task over and over to get God's attention. No, their faith in God was living and active. It caused a response from them.

 In summation, Grace is not a message of do nothing, be lazy. It is the Good News that Jesus finished the work. There is rest in that. This Faith in rest will cause a genuine response. Rahab opened a door, a task that could've gotten her killed. Yet, something in her heart produced a bold response and action. That wasn't effortless, yet it also wasn't a performance-driven, I hope God will like me now, kind of action. The truth is in the center. 

 Follow love's leading and guiding. The Spirit will lead you into all truth. He won't lead into error, false teaching, immorality or a lazy, lethargic way of living. 
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The Reason for the Season: the Father and His Family

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NKJV

 It's Christmas time once again. Malls are packed. Package deliveries are filling many a front porch. Christmas songs fill the radio. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

 At this time, we also deal with the ever-controversial debate is Christmas too commercial? Is it really about receiving gifts? At the same time debate rages on, tradition and not truth abounds about the Christmas story, that is unScriptural songs, incorrect portraits of the Nativity scene etc. 

 What we also ponder at this time of year is the reason for the season. In an ever-increasing secular culture, we as believers must always remember the reason for the season. It's not about frosty men and red nose deer. It isn't about being cold outside and celebrating all things winter. 

 Some would respond, sure we know Jesus is the reason for the season. That is true, but it goes a little deeper than that. Why is Jesus the reason for the season? 

 Listening to some religious traditional minded leaders we may get some misunderstandings about why He came. About why He was sent. 
“Glory to God in the highest [heaven],
And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” Luke 2:14 AMP
The angry gospel, the hyper holiness message, tend to convey the idea that God sent Jesus to finally straighten out mankind. To sort out the bad from the good. They've used this passage of the Christmas message to say, see God only approves of certain men and God is angrily disapproving of the rest. 

 This idea is that Jesus came for the good guys. He came to rescue the righteous and condemn the bad guys. He came to finally rescue those righteous ones who were already following God. 

 The truth God revealed in Christ is no one has got their act together. There are no good guys in comparison of the absolute perfect standard of God's righteousness. We all need a Savior. 

 Another tradition is this subtle concept that God sent His Son to find faithful servants. That God was really looking for a people who would be His dutiful servants. In other words, God was seeking servants and subjects to serve in a kingdom. 

The Father and His Family

 This is not the Good News Gospel. Look closely once again at the Christmas account. The Christmas story is about glad tidings of great joy to all people. When God was saying He was well pleased with men, He was speaking the end from the beginning. This was not a proclamation that God is pleased with the behavior of mankind. This message was that God is well pleased with all mankind, that is He is accepting and approving off all to receive this new life.

 The Good News isn't a select, exclusive message. For centuries, the Hebrews were the only ones offered a way of right standing by following the Law and sacrifices. The Good News was that God is accepting all of humanity to simply receive a free gift. Be it Jew or Gentile, male or female, all are welcome.

 Why did He come? Jesus was not sent to find subjects. God already had servants. Though they weren't perfect, the children of Israel had a servant, master relationship with God. Jesus came to offer a new dynamic of relating to God. 

 Instead of merely being a servant, the Father wanted a family. He wanted sons and daughters, not servants and subjects. 

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13 NLT

The Father has always sought a family. He placed Adam in the garden. Before the fall He communed with him face to face. After the fall, because of man's fallen nature, God couldn't commune face to face. Sin was a barrier that needed to be removed. 

 With Jesus Finished Work, mankind would once again commune with God in an intimate way. What God did is something much better than the garden. Instead of simply communing with mankind face to face, with the new birth, God could now dwell inside man. God's temple is not a building but man's spirit. God dwells inside the believer never to be separated again.

 The reason for the season? The Father was seeking a family. God was not seeking subjects. He was seeking sons and daughters. He was not sent to create a new class of indentured servants. He was sent to bring about a new species of being that had never existed. The born-again man, the righteous man, the new creation man that has God Almighty, the Creator actively living inside of him. The Father gave a Son so He could receive a Family. 

 The Good News, the glad tidings of great joy of Christmas is a message that should be heralded year round. God in His exceeding great love for us, gave His one and only Son so He could receive a family. He wanted sons and daughters to commune with and to have fellowship. He was not looking for slaves, servants or subjects. He was looking for you. He was looking for whosoever will to come and be a part of His Family freely. This is the Good News reason for the season.

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