Ephesians
2:8-9 “For by grace are ye
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of
works lest any man should boast.”
God
calls His children to influence others for Christ. We are Christ-centered,
faith-based and grace-driven. Men and women don't know how to "work out their own salvation with fear and
trembling." How can we, who were born in sin, work out our own
salvation? The answer is only by the grace of God. Our justification
is in the perfect payment Jesus made on our behalf that we may be made the
righteousness of God in him. Thy
grace is sufficient for me. He has given us everything there is to
give. We have been given life in Christ.
Even we who have been “born again” often feel unworthy. As Paul said in Romans 7, "who shall deliver me from this dead body?" In Romans 8, Paul received his answer: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” In our flesh, the reason we feel guilty is because we are guilty. In my flesh dwelleth no good thing. However, the grace of God through the full payment for my sin by the righteous payment of the innocent blood of Jesus Christ has made me worthy. Therefore, turn around, repent, change your mind. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of the world will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
God honors a broken and a contrite heart. As King David said, "create in me a new heart O Lord. Cleanse me from my unrighteousness." The grace of God bestows his divine favor on men and women who don't deserve it. We're saved by His grace, not because we are deserving but because God is gracious. Our responsibility is to receive His gracious gift. Receiving the gift requires us to forsake our pride and accept His gift with a heart of humility and meekness.
According to John 1, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ who knew no sin bore sin on our behalf. His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane was "if there be any other way, let this cup of separation, suffering and death, pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." The answer to Jesus' prayer is in the book of Hebrews: "He who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is set down upon the right hand of God." God revealed to His Son the joy of salvation: That He who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. We were the joy that was set before him. He died and shed His innocent blood because of His love for us. In that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. What amazing grace!!!
As men and women of God, we become what we think about. Therefore, our exhortation is to set our affection on things above and not on the things of the world. If we have anger, bitterness, fear, and resentment in our hearts, we will become angry, bitter, fearful and resentful men and women. However, the gracious gift of God allows us to set our affections, not on the things of this world, but on the things of the Spirit of life in Christ. Grace is God's unmerited favor. We, by the freedom of our will, can choose to focus our minds and hearts on God's gracious gift. God never honors fear, but He always honors faith. For by grace are you saved through faith.
Even we who have been “born again” often feel unworthy. As Paul said in Romans 7, "who shall deliver me from this dead body?" In Romans 8, Paul received his answer: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” In our flesh, the reason we feel guilty is because we are guilty. In my flesh dwelleth no good thing. However, the grace of God through the full payment for my sin by the righteous payment of the innocent blood of Jesus Christ has made me worthy. Therefore, turn around, repent, change your mind. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of the world will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
God honors a broken and a contrite heart. As King David said, "create in me a new heart O Lord. Cleanse me from my unrighteousness." The grace of God bestows his divine favor on men and women who don't deserve it. We're saved by His grace, not because we are deserving but because God is gracious. Our responsibility is to receive His gracious gift. Receiving the gift requires us to forsake our pride and accept His gift with a heart of humility and meekness.
According to John 1, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ who knew no sin bore sin on our behalf. His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane was "if there be any other way, let this cup of separation, suffering and death, pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." The answer to Jesus' prayer is in the book of Hebrews: "He who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is set down upon the right hand of God." God revealed to His Son the joy of salvation: That He who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. We were the joy that was set before him. He died and shed His innocent blood because of His love for us. In that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. What amazing grace!!!
As men and women of God, we become what we think about. Therefore, our exhortation is to set our affection on things above and not on the things of the world. If we have anger, bitterness, fear, and resentment in our hearts, we will become angry, bitter, fearful and resentful men and women. However, the gracious gift of God allows us to set our affections, not on the things of this world, but on the things of the Spirit of life in Christ. Grace is God's unmerited favor. We, by the freedom of our will, can choose to focus our minds and hearts on God's gracious gift. God never honors fear, but He always honors faith. For by grace are you saved through faith.
Philippians
4:8 “Whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
The
greatest weapon is “love”, which works by faith. Those who gladly choose
to serve God, serve Him by serving others. Grace is received by those who
give grace. God has blessed us to be a blessing to others. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32. Anyone can love others
who love them in return. However, the love of God gives is unconditional. Therefore,
bless them that persecute you and
despitefully use you for great is your reward in heaven.
Our reward is not because of our performance. Rather, our reward is in obedience to His Word from a heart of love. Love motivates believing that appropriates God's blessings in manifestation. For it is God who works in you to will and to do of his good pleasure. Our exhortation is to bless God by blessing those whom God has called us to minister his grace. Therefore, Lord lead me to some soul today and teach me Lord just what to say. Only by Your amazing grace am I worthy to lead others to your gracious gift of salvation. Thank you for calling us as laborers to Your harvest.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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