Grace

GRACE

In an editorial one minister declared, "There is nothing that can be added to grace to bring salva­tion to a soul. Grace," he wrote, "wrought salvation with no strings attached." Another minister stated, "Grace plus nothing equal salvation!

Is this biblical? Have these ministers gone farther than the Scriptures go? Must not the recipient of sal­vation take some corresponding action in response to grace? If there is nothing that one can do, or if no response is necessary, what about the scriptural passages that calls for action?

When guilty sinners asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" the Apostle Peter replied, "Re­pent . .." (Acts 2:37-38). When Saul of Tarsus in­quired, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" the Lord answered, "Go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). After a devas­tating earthquake, while springing into the crumbl­ed ruins of the prison in an attempt to take his own life, the Philippian jailer heard the voice of Paul call out, "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." He was sure his prisoners would be gone^ When he dis­covered them yet present, he turned to¹ Paul and Si­las and cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house" (Acts 16:25-31).

In each of these scriptural incidents, action was demanded of the inquirer. The first was, "Repent"; the second, "Go"; the third, "Believe." All three called for action, the action of the will. A command was issued in each instance. It was not "Grace plus nothing equals salvation.”  It. was "Grace plus faith plus obedience equals salvation"! Or "Grace plus obedient faith-equals salvation."

Grace is God's Act

Grace is the unmerited, undeserved favor of God bestowed on a person through the atoning: sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is the source of sal­vation. Grace means that God initiates salvation. It includes every act on God's part that brought salva­tion to mankind. God's grace caused Him to mani­fest Himself in flesh as Jesus Christ, assume human limitations, freely give Himself on Calvary and arise the third day for our justification.

God Alone is the Source of Salvation.

Salvation was initiated in heaven as God's plan. Man was not counselled concerning it. In fact man had nothing to do with its institution other than be­ing-the object of it!

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begot­ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" {John 3:16);

"God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us..." (Ephesians 2:4).

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for yoursakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (II Corinthians 8:9).

Let us Grow

Let Us Grow

     When we are born to our natural parents, we are unable to immediately walk, run, talk, eat meat, work and do activities of an adult person.  We must first drink milk, eat soft food, crawl, learn words, take baby steps, play, etc. as we develop into an adult. We want our children to grow strong and be healthy.
    It is the same in the spiritual.  When we are born again of the water and the spirit, we become a child of God; however we have a lot of maturing to do. The Bible gives us some instructions on how to grow spiritually.
     We must humble ourselves as a little child.  Matthew 18:3-4 says “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 
     We must study His word.  I Peter 2: 2 says “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
     II Peter 3:18 says ‘But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
     We must grow in faith and charity.  II Thessalonians 1: 3 says “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”  Matthew 17: 20 tells us that if we have the faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move a mountain and nothing will be impossible for us.  In Matthew 13: 31-32, Jesus tells this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.  Which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
     We must build upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus being the cornerstone of the building.  Ephesians 2: 21 says “In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto a holy temple to the Lord”.   Jesus gave us ministry thru apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints.  All of these are to help us grow.  Ephesians 4: 14-15 says  “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
     Peter tells us in II Peter 1: 5-8 that in order to grow, we must continue to add things.  “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
     So children of God, let us grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, making our calling and election sure.  For if we do so, we will never fall and according to II Peter 2: 11 “an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

One God

Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God.  The revelation of the one God was given to the nation of Israel through the patriarchs and prophets.  To help the nation retain this revelation, the people were to teach diligently their children that “The Lord our God is one Lord.”  (See Deuteronomy 9:4-7.)  The teaching was to be passed from one generation to the next. 

God’s revelation has not changed but remains the same.  It is important that we recognize the oneness of God.    Recognition deals with both knowing and accepting.   Many people in the world do not know who God is nor acknowledge that there is one God.   But God desires that we should both know Him and know that there is none other beside Him.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45: 22

Many verses of Scripture emphasize that He alone is God:

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”  (Isaiah 44:6) 

Jesus is the first and last (see Revelations 1:17-18)  While on the isle of Patmos John saw Jesus Christ in the midst of the golden candlesticks, the sight was so awesome that John fell at Christ’s feet as though he were dead. 

Jesus said “Fear not; I am the first and last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.”  

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  (Isaiah 43:10)  

World  Book Dictionary defines form as shape of a body, the way a thing exists, takes shape, or shows itself; manifestation.  God formed Himself a body in the womb of Mary.  Jesus, the Christ, was the one God manifested in the flesh.  Since God is spirit (See John 4:24), He could not been seen unless He takes a form.

In the Old Testament God revealed Himself or made Himself known in various ways such as in the form of a burning bush, a cloud, or a pillar of fire.   He also appeared in angelic form.    All these manifestations of God were leading humans to the glorious appearance of the Almighty God in the body of Jesus Christ!  (See Hebrews 1: 1-3)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” I Timothy 3:16

Jesus is the one true God.  Many try to define Him as the second person in the Godhead, part of a Holy Trinity.  However, God is one.  This is the teaching in both the Old and New Testaments.  This revelation has not changed.  He is our Father in creation and in relationship to His Son (body/form which He created).  Through the Son, he provided redemption for sinful man.  God is the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.  God has revealed Himself in many ways in the Old and New Testaments.

Freedom in Christ

As Independence Day or 4th of July approaches, it initially conjures up visions of family gatherings, barbecues, picnics, fireworks, parades, and the American flag waving.  Our ancestors fought and sacrificed much for the liberties we enjoy today in this country.  I thank God for the freedom we have enjoyed in the USA to worship God.

However, our “true” freedom and liberty lies in Christ and not in the Constitution of the United States.  Galatians 5:1 says “Stand fast therefore in liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”   Jesus said “the truth shall make you free.” We know that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  (See John 14:6).

Salvation was freely given by Christ.   The gift of God is eternal life.  It is a free gift.  Romans 6:22 says “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  We are free from the law of sin and death (see Romans 8:2).

Jesus died on the cross to liberate all people. Freedom began when Jesus said “it is finished.”(See John 19:3).  He died for the sins of the whole world. He provided a plan of salvation for all people. Galatians 3:26-29 states “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized unto Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ’s, then ye are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  Let me ask you, have you been baptized unto Christ so you can join the heirs of the promise?

 In Luke 4:18, Jesus says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”  

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (see II Cor. 3:18) and I give God thanks for liberty through Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

Sometimes We Forget--But The Fire Still Burns

In 1906, a major earthquake hit San Francisco.  It was estimated at 7.8 and 8.3 magnitudes.  Aftershocks persisted and fires broke out in the city destroying many of the remaining buildings.  This event caused widespread destruction.  It created a surface rupture that extended continuously for 200 miles.  Infernos swept the city for three days.

In 1988, Yellowstone National Park saw the largest wildfire in the recorded history of the park.  Flames from individual fires spread out of control and burned for several months.  Drought and winds were other factors that affected the fires.   More than 793,000 acres were affected. 

Revival fires of the Holy Ghost have occurred over the centuries, such as Azusa Street revival, in California in the early 1900’s, and many revivals and outpourings of the Holy Spirit in many countries around the world.

We find use of fire by God in both the Old and New Testament.  Sometimes it is constructive and sometimes it is destructive.

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.  And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” Exodus 3: 1-2.

“And the Lord went before them by day in the pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way: and by night in the pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”  Exodus 12: 21

“Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.” Genesis 19:24

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”  Matthew 3:11

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  Acts 2: 3-4

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  Revelations 20: 10

From Genesis to Revelations, we see the power of God used through fire.  The fires in San Francisco and Yellowstone were extinguished; however for those of us who have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God within us still burns.   Sometimes we let the flame die down and forget to stir up the gift that is within us.   Sometimes we lose sight of our goal and forget the goodness of God.

Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy admonishes him to remember and stir up the gift.

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of hands.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  (II Timothy 1: 6-7)

 Peter also called the church to remember and to be established in truth and not to follow after fables. 

“Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has shewed me.”  (II Peter 2: 12-14)

Yes, let us remember where we have come from, what we have received, and stir up the Spirit within. Let us keep the flame ever burning. Study the Word of God, build up our faith, be kind to others, and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Meaneth This?

WHAT MEANETH THIS?

Acts 2: 12

What meaneth this?  This questioned surfaced first among hungry, curious people on the day of Pentecost over two thousand years ago.  However, that was not the only time or the last time the question has been asked.  This question reaches down through time to the twenty-first century.

Jesus said   “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Luke 4:4) In other words, we have a spiritual hunger as well as a physical hunger.  There is an aching void in man’s soul with a quenchless hunger for the supernatural.  This God-shaped hole is in each of us; it is a vacuum in our being desiring to be filled.  The Holy Spirit baptism, first given on the Day of Pentecost, was designed by God to fill that need.

Many books have been written and many sermons preached in order to distort the meaning of this question.  The Holy Spirit baptism is not our final goal or the final lap of a Christian marathon but rather it is the qualifying factor for entry into the race.  Hebrews 2: 1-2 states “…let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”   It is not an “added benefit” but an “absolute necessity” for Jesus said in John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 

The receiving of the Holy Spirit was not just for the apostles and disciples in the early church but it is for us today!  It is not for a select few but for all to receive!  Acts 2: 39 says it is a “promise unto you , and unto your children, and  to all that are afar off. ” When Peter preached the first sermon on the day of Pentecost, the hearers asked what they should do and Peter responded “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. (Acts 2:38)  This is how we are born again so let us follow Jesus’ command  in John 3:7  “you must be born again“ and Peter’s instruction in Acts 2: 38 and receive this wonderful, free gift!