Grace, Part II

Salvation is given not earned. A gift from God through his Son Jesus Christ. Once we have accepted the gift we must realize that a change is required. It is not for our worth or to show our integrity. Change is not required in order to prove that we are good enough. Instead change is required because we understand that the life we lived before was void of God and void of goodness.

We repent and turn away from our evil ways and our constant self indulgence to find a better way to live. A more meaningful life. A greater purpose. To live not satisfying our desires all the time but instead living for others and helping others to see the light of the Son's selfless love. Make no mistake. God is real. God is good. When we become arrogant, selfish, and boastful, we become hateful and rebellious and we forget how good God really is. Jesus gives us the gift of salvation through faith. It is not earned nor is it a reward for good behaviour. However, it encourages us to be like him and to follow his teachings and his ways.

When someone says they believe in Jesus Christ and by faith acknowledges him they become saved and receive this gift of eternal life and forgiveness. Yet, that is the beginning... not the end of the story. It is a commitment for life. A trust, a faith, and a hope that lives through us in our everyday lives. The first step in a journey about love.

Bitterness, anger, hate, prejudice, greed, malice, strife, envy, power, and haughtiness are all against love and compassion. Therefore, such things are against God. We must live humbly before him relinquishing control to him and searching him out to show Him our love and respect for this great gift He has given us. So many of us tout the magnificent power of faith in God and His Son. Where believing in Him is all that matters. Faith has a place and is the first step to understanding God. However, to Paul the Apostle, the very man who taught us about salvation by faith gives us a greater insight to what the bible and the story of salvation is all about in the following verse.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love and not just faith by itself is the most important message of the bible. Paul confirms it.

1 Corinthians 13:13

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

As I have said before in other posts. Faith in God is one thing but to love God and Jesus is the true nature of salvation. Obedience to his ways (the commandment of love) is the expression of that love. May we always strive to not only say that we believe in him but love him and show that love in all we do. Amen.

Grace

Jesus has solidified our righteousness once and for all on the cross. There is no more law and there is no way to sin against a set of laws already fulfilled by Jesus. This righteousness is given to us freely. All we have to do is accept it and receive this free gift by believing in God's testimony concerning his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus took the punishment of all the sins committed against the law (up to that point) and paid the price for sin in our stead or in our place. Thereby, putting an end to the law and an end to sin forever.

As Christians the law is still important because it teaches us God's ways. Through his laws we see his honesty, faithfulness, integrity, and love.  One of the most important teachings of Jesus is in The Gospel of John and it explains the motive for obedience to God's law. Again, not to be saved or made worthy by doing what is right but instead to love and honor God and each other. Jesus already took care of the "worth" part and the "saved" part. Your character is no longer on trial. Instead your heart and your love for God is what we are truly judged by.

John 14:23-24

23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

John 15:9-17

 9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

Lordship

It is so easy these days with the deadlines and commitments of life to put God on the backburner. I used to hear about submission to God, turning my life over to him and even though I seemed to understand this idea I certainly was not practicing it in my day-to- day life. Sometimes we hear things, words of wisdom, and we exclaim "Amen!" yet we treat it like it is just some form of rhetoric. We don't really put it in to practice.

It is critical as Christians that we do put him first place above all other things and trust in him that he knows what is best for us... even better than we do. If we would only consult him in prayer and acknowledge him before we take on tasks throughout our day and give him control we would be amazed at the results. It takes quite a bit of humility to do this. We so often want to jump into things using our own intellect, status, strength, experience, and accomplishments. If we could only realize that God is ready to take the reigns and help us accomplish (and succeed) all that we hope to do. If we would just acknowledge him before we leap, it would truly be successful. If we would just let go and let him do his wonders, he would! If I could somehow spend as much time as possible worshipping him, honoring him, praising him, spending time in his word, meditating on his salvation, and helping others, God would take care of everything else. Now wouldn't that be something!

Living the Life

One of the greatest chapters concerning Christian living is Romans Chapter 12.  In Chapter 12, written by Paul the Apostle, Paul says that obedience to God's law is an act of worship. To love God is to be obedient to him and it is the greatest form of worship. It is no longer about our character or value as an individual because Christ has settled that once and for all on the cross. Obedience is now about loving, honoring, worshipping, and respecting God. Making him first place. Love what is good, hate what is evil.

Live selflessly, not honoring our own ambitions, desires, and pleasures all the time but live for others and for the good of others.  The remaining words of insight in this chapter are simple. Do not be full of pride and boasting; thinking too highly of yourself but be willing to associate with people who are less fortunate. Be humble. Be joyful in God's provision and his gifts and do not act out in revenge. Love your enemies. Certainly words to live by.

Romans 12:1-21

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
   "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.