Category Four – Part 3

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Michael continues: The Old Testament Law of sin and death convicts us as sinners. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Grace is a gift given by the one who didn't need to give it to the one who didn't deserve to receive it.

2 Corinthians 5:21 New “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Some people will say, "I need to be controlled so that I won't commit sin."  However, Jesus said, “be not drunk with wine wherein there is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” “The Spirit of life in Christ has made us free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.  (Romans 8:3-4)

Oswald Chambers, author of the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest," said that he was saved as a child. However, years passed before he gave himself wholly to The Lord's work. He was a tutor in college when he heard a sermon about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the light came on. Prior to receiving the Holy Spirit, the bible was dull and uninteresting. God took him to the dark places of his life and soul. He became desperate searching for what he was lacking.  Then he read Luke 11:13, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Chambers wondered how could he ask God for this gift with a corrupt heart? He realized that he had to confess with the heart of Christ instead of his heart of the flesh. To get out of his current condition, he had to pray even though he did not have a clear vision of God. Even though he didn't "feel the spirit," he took the initiative and asked God to help him. 

It's not our feelings that validates the truth of the Word of God. Rather, it's deliberate, intentional and obedient confession according to His word. When we come to God with meekness and humility, then He will give us His gift of Holy Spirit. Then, when we operate the gift of the Holy Spirit according to His promise, our loving heavenly Father will grant us our petition. The Spirit will teach us what it means to love with His love. Category four is those who understand the godly emancipation proclamation: The ultimate freedom is when He frees us from our selves. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Through the eyes of the spirit of Christ in us, we are witness of our Lord's resurrection. For by grace are you saved through faith.  And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which he has foreordained that we should walk in it.

For those of us in Category Four, who rest in the full assurance of God's salvation, may we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael