Healing Grace: Jesus (Truth) vs Tradition (Religion)

 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NKJV

 We've been in a series studying God's healing Grace. That His goodness and Grace produces not only freedom and brings new life but also heals our bodies and restores our soul. We have established God is a faithful God. That He is always good and never has anything detrimental for us. 

 In our last study, we began dealing with Scriptures that suggest God makes people sick. Today I sense the leading to further address religious tradition concerning this area of healing. Tradition likes to remove God's goodness and replace it with their rules, regulations, and statutes. 

 We aren't immune from this onslaught of performance based faith concepts challenging us and our freedom in Christ. Jesus dealt with it in His time and so do we. There is a passage in the Gospels that illustrate this point. 

God wants you "Holy" not happy and healed?

 Religious tradition is most concerned with men keeping all the "rules". What is interesting to note is these "rules" seem to change or alter based on the particular denomination or ministry. One group suggests that women can't cut their hair or wear makeup. Another group isn't concerned about hairstyles or makeup, but they forbid women from teaching in a public church setting. They've bought into a concept that God isn't about a relationship but about maintaining the rules. Take note how Jesus handled tradition.

  Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:1-6 NLT

 This is a powerful passage. This passage reveals the true heart of Father God. This passage is clearly illustrating Grace vs the Law and traditions of men. 

 Jesus Earthly ministry had a manifold purpose. There are times when He illustrated the Law in all its true perfection. Thus revealing the impossible standard and proving our need for a Savior. Other times He revealed the Father's heart of love and gave a sneak peek of the New Covenant. This is why Jesus is perfect theology. 

 In this passage we see Jesus enter the synagogue. What did He see or focus on? His eyes were drawn to the needs of another. His heart of compassion, the perfect love of the Father, saw something withered and broken and desired to see it made whole. Take note that others were in the synagogue. What was their focus?

 Religious tradition, the enemies of Jesus, weren't drawn to the broken and hurting. They were watching to ensure all their rules were being kept. This is why religion's eyes are closed to the plight of lost humanity. They are so focused on men keeping a standard that they miss revealing the love of God, that when received is the only thing that produces true change. 

 Jesus wasn't moved by the "rules". In fact, He paraded the man out front. He was saying in essence,  My goodness and Grace and love trump any of your religious traditions. Note, this wasn't done out of rebellious strife and hate towards His enemies. He was attempting to reach them as well. 

 Jesus addresses His critics. He conceded to them yes the Word says this, however, He also revealed that they added to the Word with their traditions. He was saying your traditions aren't helping anyone. Your traditions are keeping men from walking in wholeness.

 What was their reaction? Yes, Jesus, you're correct. We've seen our error, we missed it. Was this how they responded? No, they remained silent. They chose their traditions over God's goodness and love and mercy. 

 Jesus, our good God of love and mercy, was angry at this. So many see God as angry at the lost in this World. Certainly, God is angry at injustice. However, He is pouring out His love to reach lost humanity. These here already knew the truth. Yet they exalted tradition over truth. This is what angered the Lord. Their hardened heart both angered and saddened Jesus. 

 Jesus brought life and wholeness and healing to this broken man. He healed the withered hand. What a sign and a wonder. God is good. You'd think there would be shouting and rejoicing at the goodness of God. What was tradition's response? They wanted to kill Jesus. Jesus wasn't moved by the fear of man and continued ministering His Healing Grace.

 Jesus and His all the time goodness and too good to be true but true, over the top Grace, anger religion but brings life and wholeness to the hurting and broken. His Word reveals the truth that topples the traditions of men. His loving kindness and mercy draw the masses whereas religion repels them. Truly, Jesus is greater than religion.

 God is a good Father who desires above all that you be made whole, spirit and soul and body. His loving kindness is extended toward humanity and He is inviting them to partake of His new life and experience a living, everlasting relationship with the creator of all the universe. Relinquish the traditions of men and embrace the truth of the Word. 

Healing Grace: Does God Cause Sickness and Disease? (What about Exodus 4?)

 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NKJV

 We've been in a study of God's healing Grace. We've seen that God is a good Father. We've put into remembrance the faithfulness of God no matter the situation or circumstance we face. Last time we saw that God is a miracle working God and we can trust in Him no matter what.

 Today, I would like to begin to answer some of the hard questions. I'd like to begin to look at those difficult Bible passages that seem to suggest God makes people sick or sends disease into His people's lives. Some of these passages tend to be roadblocks in the minds of some of God's people hindering them from receiving the truth that God is a good Father, who desires to see His Children healed and walking in wholeness.

 In the Gospel of Mark, we see an account of Jesus healing a leper. This account also illustrates how Jesus removed the barrier of trust in the individual. You can see the full account here. Paying closer attention to the narrative what can we see?

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40-42 NKJV

 The leper had a barrier in his mind hindering his trust in the Lord Jesus. He said if you're willing, you can heal me. His trust couldn't move past this question. Take note how Jesus responds. He actually lays hands upon him. Nothing happens. It is not until Jesus speaks the truth, "I am willing, be cleansed" that this man receives healing. 

 The takeaway from this account is sometimes we all have questions and uncertainties. We need the truth revealed to us so we can fully trust God and His Word and promises. So it is in this arena of God's healing Grace. There are some passages that traditionally leave some with the idea that our good Father is behind sickness or disease. 

So What About Exodus 4:11?

What about what God told Moses?

11 So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11 NKJV

 This passage seems to indicate that God is the one who makes people blind or mute or deaf. Before I continue, I must make one thing abundantly clear. If someone has been born with a disability such as deafness or blindness or any other birth defect, they all have infinite value and worth and purpose in this life. The disabled among us are not second class citizens or less valuable to society. God loves them with an everlasting love and they're just as capable of contributing to society as anyone else, and we should give them respect and dignity and honor just as we would anyone else.

 Going back to the passage, is it true that God is the one ordaining people to be born blind or deaf? Here is a good question, did God have any blindness or deafness or any other disability or disease in the Garden of Eden? Will there be deafness or blindness in Heaven? Understand we live in a fractured and fallen creation. Blindness and deafness and disease are never God's best or design for His creation.

 So how do we understand Exodus? We must not take a text out of context and try to create a theology out of it. Do we have any record of Jesus making anyone blind? We never see Jesus placing disease onto anyone. So how do we understand this challenging passage?

 In context, Moses was fearful of speaking to the Pharoah. If you have knowledge of Moses' life you recall he had a speech impediment. God was only telling Him I am the creator. He isn't teaching a theology of creating disabled people. He simply stated that He is the creator of all. If He created you He can strengthen you to carry out His purpose and plan for your life no matter your weakness or inabilities.

 Father God is a good and faithful Father. He isn't the source of our troubles or adversity. He is not the creator of sickness or disease or infirmity. He takes no joy from sickness or malady. He delights in loving kindness and mercy. He is the healer of all our disease and brokenness. God is the restorer of broken lives. He is the one who makes us whole. 

 In Him, we find life and love and wholeness. He is who completes us. He isn't breaking us with crushing disabilities or disease. In His hands we find healing. In His arms, we find unconditional love. His words speak life over us. He is the source of blessing and healing and never the source of death or destruction or disease. 

 Our life finds true fulfillment in Him. In Christ's Finished Work He exchanged our lack, our disease, our brokenness for His wholeness and abundance. Remove the roadblocks to receiving the truth that He is forever for us and never against us. We can rest confident and secure in His Word and Truth. He is the healer.

Healing Grace: The God of Miracles

 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice


 In the recent weeks, we've been studying the healing Grace of Almighty God. In this study, we are endeavoring to reveal how His Grace manifests His healing in all areas of our lives. So far we've seen that God is a good God. That He is not the author of our pain, and that He is with us through adversity and He is faithful to the end.

 Today, I would like to once again reveal the goodness of our Father. Our good Father is a God of miracles. He is the Almighty and powerful Lord of Lords and King of Kings. There is nothing too hard for our Father. There is no situation or circumstance or adversity that the enemy, or this World system or even our own choices may bring about, that God hasn't made a way of escape or deliverance, or provided the strength to endure and overcome it. 

 Regardless of what religious tradition states God is still in the miracle business. A large portion of the Body of Christ ascribes to a view that teaches that when Jesus ascended and the twelve Apostles ministered and finalized the canon of Scripture, God ordered the Spirit to cease from utilizing His Gifts for the Church. God basically gave gifts to the Church but in His "wisdom", revokes them and their use today. Again, many believe this view strongly.

 I don't see it from the Word that God is giving gifts and then revoking them. I don't see a good Father who gives good gifts to men turn and then later rescinds them. 
8 Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8AMP

6 Because I am the Eternal One, I never change...Malachi 3:6a Voice

    It is clear from the Word that God is not one who changes. He gave us His gifts and He won't take them away. He worked miracles when He walked the shores of Galilee and He is still working miracles today. His love is still intervening in the lives of humanity. 

    Many will concede that there are things that have occurred in the lives of Christians that defy natural explanation. People have recovered from incurable diseases, have seen a miraculous provision in otherwise bankrupt situations. Others have seen favor in circumstances where this seems an impossibility. Even with all this some still stubbornly reject God's supernatural gifts today. 

    

    I urge you to relinquish traditions of men and receive all the fullness of His goodness and love and power. That said what about those of us who've believed in His miracles and have yet to receive or if we were believing for something and it didn't turn out the way we expected? What is the solution to disappointment? 

    We've all been in a place where it seemed God has forgotten us. I can tell you it is not easy going through situations like this. I also don't want you to believe I am saying something I have never experienced. Years ago my wife and I had to endure the loss of a pregnancy. She had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured. This was a devasting blow to our hearts and minds.

    What did I do in this situation? Did I get angry or bitter? I could have. Yet my response was more like a reflex of what I had planted within my heart. I had seen that God is a good Father from His Word. I had seen that when I was born again, He guaranteed me that I would be saved forever. If He had done all this how could I blame Him or not place my trust in Him even in the hard times?

    I truly believe He is a good God. I firmly believe what the Scriptures teach that God is for me and not against me. I know we live in a fallen and fractured creation and that God was with me and not working against me. This produced strength to endure and gave me the confidence to hope in Him and His promises regardless If I ever see anything.

  

    God is a good Father that is always for us and is not working against us. His Word is true and trustworthy not because we experience it or see it. It is true because He has declared it and a good Father never lies. We, therefore, can look to Him and His Finished Work and look past our experiences and find rest, and strength and healing.

   Think of it. If He was faithful and loving enough to forever forgive us, make us completely righteous and acceptable to God, and purchased for us an eternally secure salvation how could we not trust Him in every other area of our lives? He is the God of miracles. He has the answers that we need for whatever we are facing. Nothing is too hard or impossible for our Father in Heaven.

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Healing Grace: Our Faithful Father

For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

 We've begun a study detailing the healing Grace of our good Father. We've seen He is good and He is not the author of evil. We saw how even in the hard times and challenges that He is there with us. I sense the impression to continue to bring forth the truth concerning our Father.

 Oftentimes those who know not God are perplexed at how those who know the Lord,  can have bold confidence and hope, especially in the tough times. How can we have bold confidence in God? When all seems lost, and the diagnosis gets worse, the Bank is threatening foreclosure, and loved ones seem to be lost in rebellion, how can we have hope, and confidence and trust? Perhaps you're a believer and you're asking this same question. The answer is found in the Word.

The Faithfulness of God

 When we search the Scriptures and see our Father's heart and unconditional love, this is where our trust is found complete. Our faith is not a "blind" faith. We have something tangible we can cling to and place our complete trust in. Our trust is in His goodness. His character is witnessed by His actions. 

 Think of this. If you had dealings with an individual that would oftentimes say one thing yet do another, would you say you could trust that one? Certainly not. When we look at our good Father we see a loving, good Father who is always faithful to His word. This is why studying the Word is so paramount. It is not about achieving or earning some "points" for the afterlife or for God to do something for us. It is about getting to know our Father on an intimate level.

 Under Grace, we don't "strive to arrive" or "fake it till we make it". We abide in a relationship with our Father. Part of any good relationship is getting to know one another. Reading and studying the Scriptures has opened my eyes and heart to just how wonderful and kind and loving our Father is. It is quite rewarding, profitable and fulfilling knowing and understanding the goodness of our Father.

 In the Scriptures, we see how Hannah, who was barren cried out to the Lord. She couldn't have children. What seemed a lost cause turned around for her good when she put her trust in God, (see here). What seemed like an impossibility turned to a miracle for her. Sarah who was also barren knew the secret to her deliverance. What was her strength to believe God?

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11 NKJV

Sarah was able to believe because she saw how good our Father is. This is the source of our confidence and hope and trust. Whenever we are going through difficult and challenging times we can hope until the end because God is so faithful. His goodness stirs up hope within us and we can rest in His goodness.

23 Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; Hebrews 10:23 AMP

God is a good Father, He is a faithful God. What He said will come to pass without fail.  His overwhelming love and great mercy have never forsaken or abandoned us. He has never given up on us, no matter how far we have fallen. His love pursues us even when we falter, fail or flee. He has always been for us and never against us.

 How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day. Have courage, for the Eternal is all that I will need. My soul boasts, “Hope in God; just wait.” Lamentations 3:21-24 Voice

 God is so faithful. He will never leave or forsake us. Whenever we are going through hard times or facing a crisis look to the Savior and not the situation. In Him, you will find peace and hope. In Him, we find the solution for our problems and answers to our questions. 

 You may be saying, but I haven't seen God's goodness in my life. I realize in this fallen and fractured creation there exists terrible injustices and tragic circumstances. There are times when we are the hands or instruments God will use to bring the relief and comfort and hope to others.

 When we were lost, certainly we saw situations that seemed hopeless. We saw how hard life is on our own. In Christ, we know we have hope. When facing difficulty look back at your life and recall how God saw you through. This will produce joy and spring forth bold confidence in our Father. 

 God is a Faithful God. No matter what it seems like there is no time where God wasn't by you. He will never let us fail. He is a good Father. I have seen God's hand many times in my own life. In His goodness, I can boast not in anything I have done. Our trust should not be in our own plans or efforts or our own influence. Trust in Christ alone, He is good and faithful and He will never let us down.

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Healing Grace: Hard Times

For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

 We've been studying about the gracious healing power of God. We've seen in our past studies that God is a good God. We've seen that God isn't ordaining our despair or destruction. As I write today I sensed impressed to focus on God's goodness when we are experiencing hard times and difficult situations and even tragic circumstances.

 Often when one mentions the goodness of God and His healing mercies inevitably questions arise. Fellow believers and even unbelievers beg the question if God is so good why am I experiencing such difficult and trying circumstances? Because so many have seen catastrophes played out on a global scale and some have even experienced cataclysmic events in their life, often there is serious objections and apprehension in proclaiming God's all the time goodness and healing Grace.

God Hasn't Forgotten or Abandoned You

 God is good and He hasn't forgotten you. First, when dealing with adversity we must understand we can find hope and comfort and encouragement in the Word of God. In His Word, we can see God's attitude and answer to our situation.

33 I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order. John 16:33 Voice

 In Christ, we have peace and wholeness. Note He distinguishes Himself from the perils and calamities in the World. This proves once again, God isn't the author of these events. His Word comforts because it reveals He isn't the author of our circumstance.

God is our shelter and our strength When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide?No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless. Psalm 46:1-3 Voice

 His Word comforts and exhorts because it reveals just how big our God is and by trusting in Him we have nothing to fear. The Word comforts because it reveals that God is our help. He can turn our situations around. He can turn a trial into a triumph! That may sound cliche but it is true nonetheless. 

 When dealing with adversity, the second thing we must understand is that we can always run to God. Often, when difficulty arises so many run away from God. This is due, more times than not, to the wrong image religious tradition has created about our Father God. God is a strong tower. He is our refuge, (here). He is who we can always find help in times of difficulty. 

 Yes, but what if I caused my own difficulty, you may ask. What if this sickness or disease was brought about through neglect, or poor choices or blatant sin? What if this financial strain is of my own doing? Obviously, we all foul up, or miss it, or blow it. Making poor decisions can have adverse and negative consequences in the natural. Does this mean God is so displeased with me that He won't hear or answer my cry for help or healing or deliverance? 

 

 Religious tradition would argue, you made your own bed so lie in it. Though poor choices can bring about negative circumstances, they don't negate God's love and tender mercies. 

If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 AMP

 Even when we are faithless He remains faithful. When adversity strikes, run to God. Even if you are the cause, God can change things around and turn it to your good and bring glory to His name. 

 Finally, when dealing with adversity rest in who God is. Rest in His faithfulness and goodness. In these tough times, God is our peace. He brings a peace that surpasses natural understanding. His loving mercy brings peace and comfort to troubled souls. His peace is supernatural, it will bring strength and boldness and carry us through the difficulties we face.

 God is our hope. Hebrews says God's hope is the anchor for our soul. When confusion abounds and despair and turmoil tries to flood our minds and it all seems lost His hope is the anchor. His hope brings clarity for confusion, encouragement for despair and calmness for turmoil. 

 God is our comfort. He is our ever present help. He never promised a challenge-free life on Earth but He did promise that He would never leave or forsake us. This is one of the most powerful promises that bring triumphant victory in all circumstances. No matter what we are going through He is right there with us. 

 In summation, whenever adversity strikes, no matter the root cause, we can find our help and hope and comfort in God. He is a faithful God. He is the restorer of broken down lives and circumstances. 

 In difficulty, recall just how good and faithful He has already been. Even in times when we know we didn't earn or deserve it, He showed up with love and mercy and restoration. In this goodness and mercy we can place our faith and we can trust that He will turn it to good whatever we are going through. 

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Healing Grace: Father knows best?

 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. Ephesians 2:8-9 Voice

 We've begun a new series of study on God's healing Grace. For by His Grace we've been saved, not our efforts. This word saved from the original Greek is the word Sozo. This word is defined as to save, to deliver, to protect, to heal and make whole. It is His Grace that brings us healing, not our striving or efforts.

 Whenever we mention the healing power of Jesus inevitably so many are quick to point out that God is sovereign and in control of all situations. I suppose this is some form of objection to believing that God is able and willing to heal His people. Apparently we are supposed to derive some comfort in suffering or loss knowing that somehow God was designing the circumstances.

Father God knows best?

 The narrative we are supposed to follow in dealing with tragedy is that God knows best. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. When one experiences being laid off from work, being involved in an automobile accident, a debilitating disease, or suffering the loss of a loved one,  many persevere to understand the circumstances or search for a cause as to why they had to experience it. 

 Traditional Christianity teaches that God is sovereign, and in charge and He knows what He is doing by taking away your loved one, or bringing this illness to you. God knows what's best so just trust Him. For me, this narrative offers little comfort and exacerbates the feelings of hopelessness. 

 The truth that is established from God's Word is that Father God does know what is best. That is why He sent His only Son to be the propitiation for all our sins, and transgressions. He took our place and paid the ultimate price. Christ secured our eternal salvation. He made a new and living way for us to be in a relationship with the Father. He took all the curse upon Himself in the Finished Work and exchanged our death sentence with His eternal life. We were made fully alive in the Finished Work.

 In this Finished Work, He exchanged our unrighteousness, our sinful nature, our pains, our sicknesses, infirmities, our lack and insufficiency for His very righteousness and new life and wholeness and abundance. There is nothing that the fall and subsequent curse polluted and corrupted that wasn't made new in His redemptive work on our behalf. In Him, we find the full expression of abundant living.

 Yes, brother God did a great work for us, but what about Paul's thorn or Trophimus being left because he was sick (here)? Well, I'd have to respond what about Jesus and what He accomplished in the Finished Work?

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 NKJV

 Here we see clearly recorded by the Apostle Peter under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, what exactly Jesus went about doing under the influence, leading, and direction of Father God. Take note that Jesus wasn't sending tragic circumstances, or plagues or famine or "natural" disasters. If God is the source of our tragedy or pain or suffering, how can one come to Him and find comfort?

 How can we take rest from our weariness, or find peace in the midst of adversity if our Father God is the one causing the distresses or ordaining the destruction of our lives? No God is never the source of our suffering or tribulation, He is the source of our salvation and deliverance. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 NKJV

Receive even more comfort reading this same passage from another translation

Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous— they may often seem overwhelmed— but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them. Psalm 34:19 Voice

 Am I teaching that if we have enough faith we will never experience adversity? Of course not. I am just revealing that the source of our affliction is never God. That God has made a way for us to receive deliverance and help in time of distress. As I have stated in the past, we live in a broken, fallen and fractured creation. This is the reason we there is so much anguish and destruction and disaster and disease. 

 Truly, God does know best. He brought to us this amazing plan of redemption. His Grace provided a way of escape, a way for us to receive new life and complete peace. God is sovereign. This simply means He is the only One. He is the supreme judge and ruler over all creation. He certainly has the capability to send death and famine and destruction. He is God and He can do what He wills. However, death, destruction, despair are not in His nature. God can't send or ordain what He doesn't have. 

 We can run to our Father God when the adversity and evils of this World system seem to overwhelm us. We can always find healing, peace, freedom and deliverance in His hands. Even when we are experiencing the collapse of all we know due to our own failures or misdeeds we can still find shelter in His arms of Grace. In Christ is are our healing, our deliverance, and wholeness.

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Healing Grace: God is a Good God

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8-9 NKJV

 We are beginning a new series of study on the healing power of God. This study will focus on His healing Grace. So often when healing is mentioned it conveys a burdensome, you must do this or that, and there is something wrong with you mindset. Relinquish, any performance mindsets when it comes to His healing Grace.

 This amazing Grace of God ambushed my heart and mind. Grace captured me with His overwhelming love and goodness. Surrounded by perfect love and acceptance I fully submitted to receiving all of Him in all of me. When I realized how much He was for me and was not against me, I realized I can trust Him with every area of my life. 

 If the same God of Grace, could redeem you, forever forgive you, cleanse you, make you perfectly acceptable, no longer count your sins against you, make you alive with His life, give you His righteousness and seal you with His Spirit and eternally save you, how much more would He do for you in every other area of your life? This Grace has no limits. This overwhelming goodness works in all matters that pertain to life.

Just how good is He?

God is a good God. He is a good Father to all. His love is eternal and everlasting. God isn't fickle. He doesn't love you today but tomorrow He's not so sure about you. His loving kindness is better than anything this life can offer. 

 Here is some good news, God is not the author of your difficulty or despair. Whenever disaster or difficulty or despair is discovered usually many attribute the circumstances to God. If God was so good or loving why did this happen or why didn't He stop it?

 God is God in Heaven. He is everlasting and Lord over all creation. This in no way means He is the source and creator of all the evil we see in the Earth. Even under Law look at how God looked out for those under the Covenant, (here). 

 God gave the first man, Adam a beautiful creation. Under temptation from satan, he rebelled against God and chose his own path. This allowed the enemy access to this Earth. This sin caused this creation to become fractured. This fallen, fractured creation is truly the source of the evils and destruction we see around us. 

 This week for example, we saw two horrific reminders of how far fallen creation is. First, a young celebrity was murdered after performing before a crowd. The second event we saw a deranged individual ascribing to an ideology of hate and anger and violence unleash carnage on unsuspecting nightclub patrons. We look for answers in the political arena. We ask why. The true answer is clear. Sin and its fallen aspect harden the hearts of those it still holds captive. 

 Where was God? He was on the throne. His love would never ordain such despicable acts of violence. Some tradition ruled minded believers suggested that the nightclub rampage was God's judgment against the lifestyle of those nightclub patrons. This is the basic response from religion. Either God ordained tragedy for some purpose or it must be God punishing folk.

 Jesus took all the wrath and judgment for all humanity in the Finished Work. If God didn't ordain it, or it isn't His judgment, then what is left to conclude? We live in a fallen World that is awaiting final redemption. Where is God's hands in this or any other tragedy? When we see people responding in love to protect others, to aid others and those bringing relief you have seen God's hands in action.

God is a good Father who doesn't ordain destruction. He isn't looking to punish or "get" you when you fail. His love is looking for you to reveal His great Grace and mercy towards you. We can fully trust our Father in all situations. Even in the midst of darkness when life doesn't make sense He has promised to be with us and He will never forsake us. He freely gives us His peace, His comfort, and His joy. His healing Grace will mend each and every hurt, wound, and disappointment. 

The Scandal of Grace: Eternally Saved and Secure

9 God has already saved us and called us to this holy calling—not because of any good works we may have done, but because of His own intention and because eons and eons ago (before time itself existed), He gave us this grace in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King. 2 Timothy 1:9 VOICE

 Grace, Grace, scandalous Grace. What have you done? You've given New Life to spiritually dead ones. You have pardoned and forgiven once for all time and eternity all those who simply respond. Scandalous Grace what else have you done? This scandalous Grace of Almighty God has given eternal security to all those who are in Christ. 

 Wouldn't it seem fair enough if all Christ did was purchase our forgiveness of sins and impute His righteousness to us? Wouldn't it seem reasonable that Christ would then demand of us that we  maintain our own salvation? That it was left up to us to strive to do our best and put forth much effort to make it to the end? It would seem within reason, but His Grace is exceeding, and far above all expectations.

 His scandalous Grace has not only ensured our total forgiveness, perfect acceptance and given us His very righteousness, it also has gone a step further. He has completely solidified this work in the believer by sealing them with His Spirit until the day of complete redemption. By giving us an eternal salvation, not a temporal position we have perfect assurance and security in our relationship with our Father.

 I am aware that this concept of an eternally secure salvation makes many glad, and many others mad. I know because I used to be one of those who opposed this glorious truth. Once I came into contact with this scandalous Grace, it ambushed me, it transformed me and now I herald from the rooftops how secure we are in Christ.

 In reality, some of those who oppose this are viewing their Christian walk through the lens of self-righteousness or personal achievements. Because they have given up profanity, abstain from tobacco, tattoos, and alcohol and don't view R-rated films they feel they have it all together. They forget God's standards are absolute perfection. That is why it is so vital for the foundation of our salvation to be in Christ and His Finished Work and not our performance.

 Yea but what about that passage in Matthew 7? Jesus is clearly talking to believers and revealing they lost their salvation. Does it teach this? Many years ago, I was on a security detail in a courtroom. I recall witnessing two attorneys citing the exact same statute before the Judge. Each had a different interpretation. The Judge looked at the statute and made a judgment call on what was the right view. That's what we must do when it comes to the Scripture. Let's allow the Spirit to give us the correct understanding and not traditions of men.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23 NLT

See? It's right there. They did great works and look they aren't eternally secure. To fully understand this passage, let's begin by answering what is doing the will of the Father referencing? Is it about performance or behavior? No, Jesus reveals to us what the will of the Father is in John's gospel. It is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, (here). Another major issue with rightly dividing this passage is because it references people doing mighty works for God. How could this not be talking about believers? 

To best understand this passage we must first address this issue. Read the passage again. Jesus is saying what will happen. Note that He never said that these folk actually did any mighty works. He said they will say to Him that they've done mighty works in His name. They are claiming to do great works but Christ isn't agreeing with them. Therefore, this is not proof that these are Christians. 

 The biggest key to understanding this passage is the phrase, "I never knew you." This word never in the original Greek means: not even at any time, that is never at all. To help illustrate this further, I can recall receiving a visit many years ago as a child from a distant cousin. I haven't had any personal contact with this person since that visit. Can I now say I never knew him? 

 Of course not. I once knew him as a child, so I have known him. Jesus said of these, He never knew them. He didn't say I once knew you but now I don't. He stated clearly I never knew you. Because people don't see this plain truth, this passage has struck fear in the minds of many sincere believers. If these guys who worked miracles have no assurance, how then can I have a secure salvation? When we know that Jesus wasn't talking to Christians here, this concern is settled. With the truth revealed about this passage, we can rest in our assurance in Christ without fear. 

  His scandalous Grace wouldn't rescue you, just to leave you to your own merits and abilities to finish what He started in you. Religious tradition teaches He who began a work in you expects you to complete it. That is not good news. That is not the gospel.

 This amazing Grace of God sought you, found you and rescued you. He deposited His great love within and gave you new life and exchanged your sins for His righteousness. He began a work in you and will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). He is completing the work in you. It is not by your efforts or performance. This is the scandal of Grace. Undeserving, spiritually dead, lost souls, made alive with His life within, forever forgiven, made perfectly righteous, and eternally secure in Him. 
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The Scandal of Grace: Jesus our Righteousness

9 God has already saved us and called us to this holy calling—not because of any good works we may have done, but because of His own intention and because eons and eons ago (before time itself existed), He gave us this grace in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King. 2 Timothy 1:9 VOICE

 We now resume our regularly scheduled study of the scandalous Grace of God. Grace, Grace. Scandalous Grace, what have you done now? You've have taken undeserving, spiritually dead unrighteous ones and given them the free gift of right standing with an Almighty, holy God. 

 When His amazing Grace melted our hardened hearts and we stop resisting His love and received the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives He exchanged our old nature with His new nature. He gave us the free gift of righteousness. He placed us into perfect right standing with our Father in Heaven. We were justified or placed into a position of just-as-if-I'd never sinned. It is imperative that we understand how to live victoriously in this righteousness. 

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 AMP

 We can reign as kings in this life when we understand our righteousness in Christ. One translation says we will reign in life when we "receive of the gift of righteousness", (see here). We need to not just receive the gift but actually open it! It is one thing to possess a gift it is quite another to open it and enjoy it. We must not just receive the free gift of righteousness but apply it for daily use.

 When we understand our righteousness in Christ we will no longer lack confidence when we pray. When we read the Scriptures our eyes will be open to seeing how much our God is for us and not against us. This righteousness produces boldness in the heart of the believer. When you seek to pray for someone with a need you won't be looking for brother holier than you to pray the prayer of faith because you know God hears and answers your prayers too. 

 This righteousness produces peace, (see here). By placing us in right standing with God, Jesus has ensured we will never experience His wrath or anger or disappointment. Jesus took all our judgment and wrath and disappointments on that Cross. God isn't angry at us at all, He is in a great mood when He thinks of you!

 When you miss it or blow it, you've no need to fear that God is scheming for ways to "get back" at you. God isn't plotting your downfall because you didn't measure up one day. God is not the author of bad days. Certainly, if we make poor choices we can see natural consequences but understand God isn't trying to punish you.

You can still have bold confidence with God even when you fail because of His free gift of righteousness He has given. His love and mercy are immeasurable. Your imperfections aren't going to stop Him from moving on your behalf. While you were yet enemies, He freely gave His own Son. How much more now that you're His sons will He move on your behalf?

This is the scandalous Grace of God. He gave us an unearnable gift. He gave us an undeserved gift. We receive this free gift by simply trusting in Christ alone. Before Christ came into our lives our righteousness was as filthy rags as Isaiah said (see here). Once received this gift is irrevocable and unceasing.

We who have received His free gift of righteousness have exchanged our sins for His right standing with the Father. We are declared righteous and by virtue of the New Creation made the very righteousness of God in Christ. If we, therefore, have exchanged our old worthless, perpetually failing, "filthy rags" righteousness for His perfect righteousness, then the righteousness we've received is His and not our own. Therefore, we are just as righteous as the Lord Jesus Christ! This is the scandalous Grace of God and we rejoice amen.

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