GRACE OF GOD (5)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) What is grace? Everybody talks about "grace," they sing songs about "amazing grace," they know grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, but few can explain what it is! Is grace the freedom to do as we wish?
i) "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14)
b) When Paul wrote these words, he did not use the 1500 A.D. word "grace" found in the King James Version Bible but the Greek word charis. God saves us by this charis. Since this is the mode of a Christian's salvation, it is of paramount importance. Since it is of paramount importance to our salvation, the god of confusion (Satan) is trying his best to confuse and hide the true meaning of charis!
c) In 1611, the King James translation of the scriptures use of the word "gay" had a very different meaning than it does today. The words "gay clothing" as James 2:3 mentions would have a different meaning in today's world. Words sometimes change meaning in usage through the years. The same thing has happened to the English word "grace."
d) Grace versus works has been an ongoing war of words in Christendom! Grace has been "spiritualized" away and often interpreted as abolishing God’s law. Is this belief correct? Every Christian ought to know what grace is! We cannot grow in grace as Jesus did, and as we are commanded (2 Peter 3:18) unless we know clearly what it is.
i) "But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . " (2 Peter 3:18)
1. What does it mean to grow in favor or grace?
a) The other reason we receive God's favor (grace) solves the grace versus works argument. How does one grow in favor with any boss? He keeps his directives or commands! Once we have believed in Jesus’ sacrifice to pay for our sins (breaking the law of God), repented (keeping the commandments), and are baptized, we receive God’s Holy Spirit. We are now the children of God by the indwelling of the spirit. We have God’s seed in us (see 1 John 3:1-2, 9). Now we have grown in (grace) favor in God’s eyes!
b) So the second reason we receive grace (favor) is we have God’s Holy Spirit in us leading us to keep the commandments in their spirit and intent (1Peter 1:22). As we learn to better keep the commands, we can receive more of God’s precious spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Notice Stephen was FULL of the Holy Spirit near the end of his life (Acts 7:55, 60). We grow in favor with God by maturing in the keeping of the commandments!
The End ...
0. Introductiona) What is grace? Everybody talks about "grace," they sing songs about "amazing grace," they know grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, but few can explain what it is! Is grace the freedom to do as we wish?
i) "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14)
b) When Paul wrote these words, he did not use the 1500 A.D. word "grace" found in the King James Version Bible but the Greek word charis. God saves us by this charis. Since this is the mode of a Christian's salvation, it is of paramount importance. Since it is of paramount importance to our salvation, the god of confusion (Satan) is trying his best to confuse and hide the true meaning of charis!
c) In 1611, the King James translation of the scriptures use of the word "gay" had a very different meaning than it does today. The words "gay clothing" as James 2:3 mentions would have a different meaning in today's world. Words sometimes change meaning in usage through the years. The same thing has happened to the English word "grace."
d) Grace versus works has been an ongoing war of words in Christendom! Grace has been "spiritualized" away and often interpreted as abolishing God’s law. Is this belief correct? Every Christian ought to know what grace is! We cannot grow in grace as Jesus did, and as we are commanded (2 Peter 3:18) unless we know clearly what it is.
i) "But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . " (2 Peter 3:18)
1. What does it mean to grow in favor or grace?
a) The other reason we receive God's favor (grace) solves the grace versus works argument. How does one grow in favor with any boss? He keeps his directives or commands! Once we have believed in Jesus’ sacrifice to pay for our sins (breaking the law of God), repented (keeping the commandments), and are baptized, we receive God’s Holy Spirit. We are now the children of God by the indwelling of the spirit. We have God’s seed in us (see 1 John 3:1-2, 9). Now we have grown in (grace) favor in God’s eyes!
b) So the second reason we receive grace (favor) is we have God’s Holy Spirit in us leading us to keep the commandments in their spirit and intent (1Peter 1:22). As we learn to better keep the commands, we can receive more of God’s precious spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Notice Stephen was FULL of the Holy Spirit near the end of his life (Acts 7:55, 60). We grow in favor with God by maturing in the keeping of the commandments!
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