This month I'd like to look at the subject of grace. Much has been written about grace and yet when it comes to the practical application of grace in the life of the believer somehow we come up with multiple interpretations
Many Christians today use the grace of God to excuse them from their personal sin. We will see that grace is a standard to be adhered to, not a license to sin. Grace is given so we can serve one another.
We will also see that grace is given to us so we may grow thereby and produce good works. And we will look at an insidious plan of the devil to counterfeit God's grace and represent it as true.
Romans 6:12-15 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
I'd like to look at two other translations of verse 15.
NJB Romans 6:15 What is the implication? That we are free to sin, now that we are not under law but under grace? Out of the question!NLT Romans 6:15 So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!
Grace is not a license to sin but a gift so we can freely serve. We need to yield ourselves unto God. One definition of yield is to place a person or thing at one's disposal, to stop opposing or resisting and, agree to somebody's demands or requests; To admit defeat and surrender.
We are never to yield ourselves to sin.
KJV Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?NLT Romans 6:1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness?
The grace of God was given to us to enable us to live the way God wants us to live. God defines what grace is in His Word and what grace expects from us. Now this will be a far cry from what some call grace however, the scripture is clear. Most people know grace is God's divine favor however, that's where it stops for the majority.
Titus 2:11-15 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Now the scripture is about to teach us, instructing us on this grace of God that hath appeared to all men. We continue in verse 12.
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
What teaches us? The grace of God that has appeared to all men! What does it teach us? That we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The word deny means to refuse something offered. Who do you think is doing the offering? The world, the devil. What does the devil offer? That which is ungodly. In other words, a lack of reverence towards God. Satan continues to teach our youth and adults to disrespect our God and His holy Word.
He offers them any worldly lust that will ensnare them like pornography, drugs, alcohol, pursuits of money, career, power; sexual perversions and politics are just a few.
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
To despise is to look down on. Why would some look down on God's Word? Perhaps it's because the Word reveals them for who they really are.
John 3:19-20 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Some people will mock and argue when you reprove them for something they don't want to change in their lives.
NIV Ephesians 2:8-10 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God'9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
For us to do good works, the works that God prepared for us to do, there needs to be change in our lives if we are not living the way God instructs.
To grow in grace we need to change the way we think and act in this world. In order to do this we may need to make some hard decisions. One of the greatest problems I have seen people struggle with and many times defeat them is their tongue.
James 3:4-10 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
If you want to grow in grace you must learn how to control your tongue. You don't always need to have the last word.
KJG Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: NLT Proverbs 25:9 So discuss the matter with them privately. Don't tell anyone else,
This is an exercise in self control and will help you avoid gossip.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
If it wasn't for bad news some people would have nothing to talk about. They are always talking about sickness, death, failure, divorce, defeat, gloom, doom, etc. If you keep confessing these things the devil will gladly empower those words and bring them to pass for you.
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
If you want to talk about something try Psalm 35.
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
One of the saddest things someone can comment about another is "he's always been that way" or "for as long as I can remember she's been like that."
Why is that? Because, people have stopped growing. If we are not growing we are at best stagnate and stagnant is not good.
James 1:22-25 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ÿ