The great, awesome Almighty God wants us to be washed completely clean. He desires a relationship with us lowly, failing people. Just think, we are in a relationship with the Creator and sustainer of 6 billion plus people on this earth. Us poor, pathetic people and yet He offers us Himself! That is grace extended.
But there is another side we need to be aware of. This great and powerful God will not allow anyone to abuse His love or grace. Too many have the idea they can sin, repent and all will be well. God is too wise to allow us to try to think we can manipulate His grace. God will not allow anyone to abuse His grace. The grace of God is to help us overcome our weaknesses and sinfulness. When the grace of God is properly understood and applied to our heart, it should lead us to denying ungodliness and worldly desires while living righteously, sensibly and godly (Tit. 2:12). The grace of God brings a spiritual awakening within the person who is baptized into His Son for the forgiveness of their sins. It brings a serious of the relationship to practice the holiness and righteousness of God. Too many are teaching and believing they can never fall from grace, so their lives become a carefree way of life because God will never cut them off. Paul warned the Galatian brethren they can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4).
Let the grace of God be applied to your heart. Believe in Him and His grace toward you. He wants us to overcome and be saved in the end. But remember, by no means will anyone manipulate Him or abuse His grace! His grace reaches us and our lives will reflect that!!!
2 comments:
Along with your comments, I would add that far to often we take lightly the extent as to which grace is actually given. John, in such simple and understandable words, tell us in John 1:16 that it is "grace upon grace". The feeble human mind struggles to fully comprehend exactly the extent to which we have been freely given grace, and mercy too, by God.
I agree. There is a substantial amout of teaching and believing that leads many astry with regards to the grace of God. Romans 3:23 should remind us that we all have sinned and fall short (both past and present tense). I would encourage those that adhere to the idea that they can never fall from grace to spend time studying the Bible. The Hebrew writer gives us insight about coming up short of the grace of God in both chapters 10 and 12. In addition, spend some time in the Old Testament studying about Noah and Moses. Although both were men of God, they each experienced a fall from the grace of God under the old law. Moses was even denied entry to the promised land of Canaan. God's grace is freely given, but "we" can separate ourselves from that grace by what we do and what we believe. Be diligent and study God's word.
Thanks Jim!
I could not have said it better. I can only say "amen" and humble myself before the grace of God...
Post a Comment