Category: Grace

Subject: Grace

Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:12-15

Here Paul established the basis of his standing before God.  It was not his merit. His salvation came despite his condition as a sinner. He described his pre-conversion life and person by writing he was a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent, and ignorant. In fact, he wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (vs 15).

Despite Paul’s shortcomings and sin, Jesus Christ chose him to be an apostle. It is understandable that Paul would state that the grace of the Lord (freely given gift) was “exceedingly abundant” toward him.

The phrase, “because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” Does indicate the good conscience of Paul (cf. Acts 23:1), but good intentions do not equal acceptance. Paul had to do what everyone has to do to receive that grace from God. (We can read from Acts 9 and Acts 22 to see what that was).

God grants second chances (and more) to the penitent and honest individuals who want to change and serve him. If he did it for Paul (chief among sinners), he will do it for anyone.

What Grace Teaches Us!

The apostle Paul wrote to Titus, explaining that God’s grace has something to teach us. Let us read the text, and then make some points:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

First, we need to understand how grace teaches. It is simple, the gift of grace is great. It is great in its benefits. God’s gift of His Son as our Redeemer affords us a hope of eternal life! It is great in its sacrifice. God’s giving of His Son was a great sacrifice in that Jesus was the only begotten of the Father, and God loved His Son. It is great in what it reveals to us about God. He loves us! He gave us everything we need to deal with our sin. He wants every living soul to go to heaven, and so has gifted us with grace, so that we can obtain what we ourselves could not possibly receive on our own merit. So, the gift of grace impresses the thoughtful because of its significance, sacrifice and its absolute necessity for our redemption. Continue reading “What Grace Teaches Us!”

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

An important discussion of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is summarized in Ephesians 2:8-9. This passage is familiar to all:

“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.”

So often Christians have to discuss what the text is not saying, so as to protect against the doctrine of “Salvation by Faith Only.” This is laudable, and not to be criticized. But, it is good to simply express the truths that are established by this passage. Continue reading “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”

Abundant Grace

The apostle Paul was always quick to acknowledge from where he came. He was a Pharisee, and one who sought to do violence to those who followed Jesus. He serves as a significant witness of the Christ, as one who formerly fought against Jesus, who became His Savior.

Paul knew that his position as one of the redeemed came despite the evil he did as a young man. One of the places where he made this clear is in his first letter to Timothy. In the first chapter, he wrote the following: Continue reading “Abundant Grace”

I Will Remember the Works of the Lord

Have you ever been in so great anguish that you asked yourself these types of questions?

  • “Will the Lord cast off forever?”
  • “And will He be favorable no more?”
  • “Has His mercy ceased forever?”
  • “Has His promise failed evermore?”
  • “Has God forgotten to be gracious?”
  • “Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?”

The Psalmist in Psalm 77 asked just these questions.  He even said, “This is my anguish” (10). But, he knew the answers to the question even as he asked them. We know God. We know His righteousness and His mercy and love for us. We just sometimes forget them when times are difficult, or when God chastised us for our sins.

How do we overcome this? We think of all that God has done for us in the past! Hear the Psalmist’s words:

“But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the Sons of Jacob and Joseph” (10-15).

Sermon Minute: The Gift of Grace

Sermon: Paul’s Discourse on Grace

Stan discusses the text of Ephesians 2. Using the context of the passage, he explains the concept of salvation by grace through faith.

Our Condescending God

God to Man

The word condescend is an interesting one. We tend to bristle when someone speaks in a condescending tone toward us. It is a sign to us that they think they are better, stronger, smarter, wiser than us. It seems to indicate arrogance, and we find it unseemly.

The word condescend is defined by Webster: 1) to assume an air of superiority. 2a) to descend to a less formal or dignified level. 2b) to waive the privileges of rank.

While the word does hold negative connotations, such is not necessary. Consider the reality that God is truly superior. If He condescends to His creation, it is not a negative thing. It is an indication of His love and concern for us.

The Psalmist recognized this. “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” (Psalm 113:3-6).

God condescended to send His Son to earth to benefit mankind. His Son condescended to come, “taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).

God came down to our level, to lift us up to His. “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” (Psalm 113:2).

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The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God

chain links

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.

In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God”

The Fragrance of Christ

Incense

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul poetically refers to the knowledge of Christ (which he preached) as a fragrance. He wrote, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (15).

It is interesting to note that in the NKJV the word “fragrance” is used in verses 14 and 15. But, the word “aroma” is used in verse 16. These are two similar, but different Greek words.

“Fragrance” comes from the Greek (euodia) and refers to a sweet or good scent. The KJV translates it “sweet savour.”

However, “aroma” is from the Greek (osme), and simply means a smell or odor. The KJV translates it “savour.” Why the difference?

Verses 14 and 15 refer to the objective reality. The gospel of Jesus Christ is sweet. It is good. There is no disputing this truth. Jesus died on the cross for mankind. His death was an expression of God’s grace, and love toward man.

Verse 16 refers to the subjective perception individuals have about the gospel of Christ. “To the one [those who are perishing] we are the aroma of death [a stench] leading to death, and to the other [those who are being saved] the aroma of life [a sweet scent] leading to life.”

The good news of the gospel is a sweet smell. But, the most important question is, “How does it smell to you?”

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Quiet Resolve and Confidence

Calm resolve

“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psalm 62:1-2).

Christians who have a full and correct understanding of the nature of grace and faith have a great confidence in their salvation. It is God who accomplishes their redemption, so they can be sure that their service to Him will be rewarded in the end. This brings patience and comfort as they await the day where the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (cf. Matthew 25:21).

Others, who place their trust in something other than God, have no such assurance.

“Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:9-10).

Remember:

“In God is my salvation and glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” AND “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work” (Psalm 62:7-8, 11-2).

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Grace Turned into Lewdness

Grace to Lewdness

Our title is a reference to Jude’s warning concerning false teachers who had come to trouble brethren. “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

The word lewdness (or lasciviousness, KJV) means “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence” (Thayer). The description in seen not only in the consequences of the doctrine espoused by these evil men, but also in the actions taken by those emboldened by the doctrine. Note in Jude’s epistle:

Continue reading “Grace Turned into Lewdness”

God’s Longsuffering and Mercies

Tender Mercies

Psalm 106 details the many rebellions and examples of disobedience committed by the Israelites against God. He dealt with their disobedience, even to the point of allowing them to be subjected by their enemies. However, it is amazing how many times God restored His people because of His love for them.

“Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies” (Psalm 106:43-45).

In the same way, we can receive pardon, no matter how badly we have grieved our God. It is required that we cry out to Him with a penitent spirit. If we do, we too can expect that for our sake He will remember His promises to us, and “relent according to the multitude of His mercies.”

As the Psalmist concludes, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the Lord!” (106:48).

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

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Work Out Your Own Salvation

Work

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

Paul’s admonition here is also partly a word of praise for the faithfulness of the Philippian brethren. They had shown themselves to be obedient in the past, he calls upon them to continue. A significant point made in the passage is that continued obedience is necessary to be saved. The idea of working out “your own salvation” is not in any way at odds with the concept of grace. God requires faithfulness unto death to receive the crown of life! (cf. Revelation 2:10). Paul himself told them, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

Continue reading “Work Out Your Own Salvation”

COVID-19 (1) Remember the Works of the Lord

I have decided to write what I hope to be a daily, short article, to help everyone at West Side (another others who read it) during this time of isolation from one another. I will at least do the weekdays, though I can’t promise which time of day it will be posted. (I’m not that organized!)

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The 77th Psalm, a psalm of Asaph, begins as follows:

“I cried out to God with my voice— to God my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed”
(1-3).

Today is a day of trouble for our nation, and brethren everywhere. We are concerned and anxious, and there is a tendency in times such as these to question. We appeal to God and we ask why? We complain, we feel overwhelmed. It is hard for us to focus on the blessings of God; to trust in His providential care; to see the possibility of an end to our suffering. We ask with the Psalmist, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (9).

Continue reading “COVID-19 (1) Remember the Works of the Lord”