GOD’S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS SERIES (part-4)

GRACE-FORGIVENESS (part-4)

Grace does not stop once we are saved:
    God is gracious to us for the rest of our lives, as He works within us
    to fulfill His will through us. When we receive His gift of salvation,
    we enter into a ‘sanctification’ process. This means that God will be
    continually at work purging us of all that is unrighteous, and filling
    us with things that are righteous.

We can expect changes in our lives in the areas of focus, priorities,
attitudes, habits, righteousness, etc. If we are not experiencing
(and accepting) these changes, then we should ask ourselves,
    “Have I really been saved, and if so, what areas of my life have
      I failed to commit to the Lord? What am I still holding on to
      that I need to let go of? Do I have some ‘pet sin’ that continues
      to affect me and my commitment? Do I believe that God has any
      purpose for me, and that He is actively transforming me so He
      can use me?”

The Bible encourages us by pointing out the many
benefits that grace secures for every believer:

– Grace justifies us before a holy God.
      and all are justified freely by His grace through
      the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
      (Romans 3:24)

      to the praise of His glorious grace, which
      He has freely given us in the one He loves.
      (Ephesians 1:6)

      so that, having been justified by His grace, we
      might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
      (Titus 3:7)

– Grace provides us with access to God, so we
  can communicate and fellowship with Him.
      to the praise of his glorious grace, which
      He has freely given us in the one He loves.
      (Ephesians 1:6)

      Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with
      confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find
      grace to help us in our time of need.
      (Hebrews 4:16)

– Grace wins for us a new relationship of intimacy with God.
      And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing
      you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I
      know you by name.”
      (Exodus 33:17)

– Grace disciplines and trains us to live
  righteously in a way that honors God.
      For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all
      people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly
      passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in
      this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing
      of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave
      Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
      Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
      (Titus 2:11–14)

      But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in
      knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have
      kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
      (2 Corinthians 8:7)

– Grace grants us immeasurable spiritual riches.
      The blessing of the LORD brings
      wealth,without painful toil for it.
      (Proverbs 10:22)

      in order that in the coming ages He might show the
      incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His
      kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
      (Ephesians 2:7)

– Grace helps us with our every need.
      Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence
      so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
      time of need.
      (Hebrews 4:16)

– Grace is the reason behind the victories in our lives.
      It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their
      arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm,
      and the light of Your face, for You loved them. You are my
      King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through
      You we push back our enemies; through Your name we trample
      our foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me
      victory; but You give us victory over our enemies, You put our
      adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long,
      and we will praise Your name forever.
      (Psalm 44:3–8)

      Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,
      so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
      time of need.
      (Hebrews 4:16)

– Grace comforts us, encourages us, and strengthens us.
      May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
      God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
      (2 Corinthians 13:14)

      May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
      who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement
      and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in
      every good deed and word.
      (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17)

      You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
      (2 Timothy 2:1)

Grace is actively and continually working in the lives of God’s
people as part of His ‘sanctification’ process for those who belong
to Him. Paul credited the success of what he had done for the Lord,
not to his own extensive labors, but to:
    “the grace of God that was with me”
    (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Grace is the ongoing, benevolent act of God
working in us, and without it, we can do nothing.
    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain
      in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
      from Me you can do nothing.
      (John 15:5)

Grace is greater than our sin.
    The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.
    But where sin increased, grace increased all the more
    (Romans 5:20)

Grace is more abundant than we expect.
    The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,
    along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
    (1 Timothy 1:14)

Grace is too wonderful for words.
    Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
    (2 Corinthians 9:15)

(watch for part-5 of the series tomorrow….)

BLOG: utvolwoody.com