So, you believe you have been saved by grace… one time, forever saved and being sorry in the name of Jesus shall eternally set you free… here is His gift to you, again.
James
4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
We are taught in today's world by our pastors, our teachers and often by our parents growing up, that we are created in sin, given life everlasting and we are covered by grace in the life and death of our LORD Jesus Christ, amen. Now of course, here comes the part where I tell you some of this is true, God's Word is faithful.
BUT… here comes the part where I tell you sadly, much of what you may have been led to believe about that beautiful gift grace, may not be truth, God's truth.
I'll let Paul tell you why…
Ephesians
2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
This is you. And this is me. This is ALL of us. We are lowly, sinful flesh that can only be made whole in the goodness of our Father God, amen. This scripture above perfectly describes grace, REAL grace… it is who Jesus is, what He did for our sake and the standard in which God calls us to live by if we want to receive that eternal gift called grace.
Grace is SO much more than;
*We are sinners who fell away from God
*God sent Jesus to live amongst us, to show us The Way
*Jesus had to die to become the final sacrifice that would atone for all sin
*We are freely able to gauge our own appropriateness of "sin” and maybe repent *BUT if we sin again, grace covers us so we're good!
Jesus is grace. He calls us to believe on Him, follow in His example, follow the will of God and to obey His commandments.
Grace, in the language of God's people (hebrew) means favor. God was willing, yes because we were SO far away from His will, to send His power, His authority and His Spirit to this earth to show FAVOR to His children.
God did so love His children, that He allowed for His spirit to manifest in the flesh of Jesus so that we may have the everlasting example to strive in to become sons of God;
Yes that Holy flesh that was made and kept perfect did atone for sin in those whose names are written in His book,
And yes, we are given grace ie FAVOR in that the LORD was and is willing to forgive us from our sin if we truly repent, follow the Ten Commandments and refrain from committing those sins again.
Many also believe that we are under grace therefore we are NOT under the law…
Romans
6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Jesus clarifies very well here in saying we are made free from sin only in that we are shown favor by God, if we follow His Word we will become servants of righteousness! This is INSTEAD of being doomed to be apart from God because of our sins eternally AND that this will only be gifted to us IF we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and by following His commandments.
2 Peter
3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
If we are saved by grace alone as many do believe, than growing in grace as said by the LORD himself would not be a possible thing to do! This one scripture verily does describe what we are to do; we are to grow in favor of our LORD, this by growing in knowledge of Him as He was in flesh as well as who He is in Spirit.
It is following His commandments, repenting for sin and abstaining from what is NOT of Him.
Hebrews
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Again, Jesus is grace, He is the gift of favor bestowed upon those that choose to follow the will of God; through believing He is God in the flesh, following His Ten Commandments and in being fully accountable for oneself to God.
This is how we eternally receive that beautiful, amazing gift we call Jesus who is our grace.
God is TRULY in favor for us! It is all for us, so that we may be useful and purposeful to His eternal plan. He must have accountability in His children and has given us His standard in His Word. In His gift of grace (Jesus), He did not absolve any one thing previously written or any one thing planned for the future. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE… we do. Either continually growing in His favor amen or falling to the deception of I'm trying and good enough.
Be accountable. Be full of good works. Be favourable.
Matthew
7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
God bless xo
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