The Work of Grace (Part III)
06/07/08 14:07
For the
sake of brevity, let me say that the grace of God
manifested in our lives today, is given for one
purpose, to bring our character in agreement with the
character of Jesus Christ. This should be our desire,
motivation and goal.
If we are thinking that God’s grace is given so that we might prosper financially, be praised by men, escape tribulation, be restored to health or anything of the like, we will have missed the sole purpose of God grace in our lives.
It is true that the grace of God brings these things about in our lives, but we may miss God’s intention if we do not realize His purpose.
Paul tells us that all things work for the good to them who love God who are the called according to His purpose. Then he tells us exactly what that purpose is –to be conformed into the image of His Son. Rom.8:28,29 Paul also tells us that the grace of God, that brings salvation, has appeared to all men.
It (grace) teaches us to say, “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11,12
Let’s say that we have two men who find themselves in identical situations. They both have good jobs, good families and healthy bodies. The only difference is that one man is a true Christian while the other is not. If Paul is right about all things working for our good (and he is ) then no matter what circumstances come into the life of the Christian, we can know that God intended them for the good of that Christian.
Jesus said that God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous; meaning, that life happens to all of us, whether we are believers or unbelievers. So, what advantage does the grace of God give to the believer?
Let’s go back to the two gentlemen and put them in a hypothetical situation and see if we can observe the grace of God. Both men are at their jobs when they each receive news of a tragic car accident involving their families.
Now, any Christian who would say that God brought about these accidents for the good of these men, should put their Bible on a shelf and commit themselves to the nearest asylum. I do not believe that Paul would have us to use Romans 8:28 for the encouragement of those who are going through a fierce trial. Certainly there is a time for everything, and some of those times require silence.
Let’s get back to the two men. The accident has left their families clinging to their lives. While the unbeliever reacts in an angry way, the believer begins seeking God. While the unbeliever questions and blames God, the believer is already seeking direction and counsel. Like Job, the believer doesn’t charge God with any wrong doing. He is seeking God’s help to comfort the rest of the family, such as his wife’s parents. The unbeliever becomes more and more absorbed in his grief and anger.
The one man turns to God the other turns to the bottle. One man wants to glorify God, the other wants the world to recompense his loss. The one man becomes despondent while the other forces himself to believe that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. One man cannot look beyond his present circumstances while the other knows that God’s Word will be a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path.
Please do not misunderstand me. Both men are good loving husbands who care for their families deeply. They provided for them, protected them and did what was right for them. But when this life dishes out its garbage, it changes men and their outlooks.
If we believe that God’s grace is given for our happiness, prosperity, health and well-being then in situations of this magnitude we would be prone to believe that He has really fouled up.
But if we know that God’s grace is given so that we may be drawn out of the philosophies of this world, to become a holy people unto Him and ultimately glorify His Name, then we can know that His grace will be given to us freely in our time of need.
Next week I will show how the grace of God was evident in the life of Jesus Christ.
The Lord bless you this week!
Pastor Jim
If we are thinking that God’s grace is given so that we might prosper financially, be praised by men, escape tribulation, be restored to health or anything of the like, we will have missed the sole purpose of God grace in our lives.
It is true that the grace of God brings these things about in our lives, but we may miss God’s intention if we do not realize His purpose.
Paul tells us that all things work for the good to them who love God who are the called according to His purpose. Then he tells us exactly what that purpose is –to be conformed into the image of His Son. Rom.8:28,29 Paul also tells us that the grace of God, that brings salvation, has appeared to all men.
It (grace) teaches us to say, “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11,12
Let’s say that we have two men who find themselves in identical situations. They both have good jobs, good families and healthy bodies. The only difference is that one man is a true Christian while the other is not. If Paul is right about all things working for our good (and he is ) then no matter what circumstances come into the life of the Christian, we can know that God intended them for the good of that Christian.
Jesus said that God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous; meaning, that life happens to all of us, whether we are believers or unbelievers. So, what advantage does the grace of God give to the believer?
Let’s go back to the two gentlemen and put them in a hypothetical situation and see if we can observe the grace of God. Both men are at their jobs when they each receive news of a tragic car accident involving their families.
Now, any Christian who would say that God brought about these accidents for the good of these men, should put their Bible on a shelf and commit themselves to the nearest asylum. I do not believe that Paul would have us to use Romans 8:28 for the encouragement of those who are going through a fierce trial. Certainly there is a time for everything, and some of those times require silence.
Let’s get back to the two men. The accident has left their families clinging to their lives. While the unbeliever reacts in an angry way, the believer begins seeking God. While the unbeliever questions and blames God, the believer is already seeking direction and counsel. Like Job, the believer doesn’t charge God with any wrong doing. He is seeking God’s help to comfort the rest of the family, such as his wife’s parents. The unbeliever becomes more and more absorbed in his grief and anger.
The one man turns to God the other turns to the bottle. One man wants to glorify God, the other wants the world to recompense his loss. The one man becomes despondent while the other forces himself to believe that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. One man cannot look beyond his present circumstances while the other knows that God’s Word will be a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path.
Please do not misunderstand me. Both men are good loving husbands who care for their families deeply. They provided for them, protected them and did what was right for them. But when this life dishes out its garbage, it changes men and their outlooks.
If we believe that God’s grace is given for our happiness, prosperity, health and well-being then in situations of this magnitude we would be prone to believe that He has really fouled up.
But if we know that God’s grace is given so that we may be drawn out of the philosophies of this world, to become a holy people unto Him and ultimately glorify His Name, then we can know that His grace will be given to us freely in our time of need.
Next week I will show how the grace of God was evident in the life of Jesus Christ.
The Lord bless you this week!
Pastor Jim
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