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So this week I get to talk about my favorite Biblical topic: Grace! And guess what Paul says about Grace in this week’s passage? That we ALL get some! You may be asking, “So what?” But that information makes me super excited!
I have noticed that many people are indifferent or cautious on the subject of Grace. Indifference I don’t understand. Even if the only thing we understood about Grace is that it is the channel by which we were redeemed from the penalty of sin, that is enough to cause eternal joy and humble adoration. But caution I understand. The idea of Grace in the face of a hopeless pursuit of righteousness is a welcome reprieve. And a reprieve it is! But it [the idea of Grace] has also become, to many, a scapegoat for a lack of self-control, endurance, and perseverance. And those who know better seem to try not to broach the subject too freely for fear being perceived as condoning a lazy Christian walk. Well I’m neither of those two type of folks!
Me? I LOVE the subject of Grace, and I talk about it as much as people will listen! But I assure you that I love it within the context by which it was intended by God, and given to me. Here is my favorite definition taken from the original Greek word,
Charis:
“of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues”
What does this mean to me? It means that I had no ability within myself to make myself clean from sin or the effects of sin, and no ability to change my nature or my behavior from sinful to righteous and effective; but, just because God wanted to, He gave me some of His power, so that I could be all of the aforementioned. For this reason I no longer have to work at making my life look life what the Bible instructs. All I have to do is agree with it [the Bible], and surrender my own will, thoughts, and activities to God’s leading, and HE will graciously lead me into righteous living!
If you are not excited about that…..check your Salvation. If you’re excited but lacking victory in your walk with God and others, get with God today for a greater measure of Grace!
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~
I have noticed that many people are indifferent or cautious on the subject of Grace. Indifference I don’t understand. Even if the only thing we understood about Grace is that it is the channel by which we were redeemed from the penalty of sin, that is enough to cause eternal joy and humble adoration. But caution I understand. The idea of Grace in the face of a hopeless pursuit of righteousness is a welcome reprieve. And a reprieve it is! But it [the idea of Grace] has also become, to many, a scapegoat for a lack of self-control, endurance, and perseverance. And those who know better seem to try not to broach the subject too freely for fear being perceived as condoning a lazy Christian walk. Well I’m neither of those two type of folks!
Me? I LOVE the subject of Grace, and I talk about it as much as people will listen! But I assure you that I love it within the context by which it was intended by God, and given to me. Here is my favorite definition taken from the original Greek word,
Charis:
“of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues”
What does this mean to me? It means that I had no ability within myself to make myself clean from sin or the effects of sin, and no ability to change my nature or my behavior from sinful to righteous and effective; but, just because God wanted to, He gave me some of His power, so that I could be all of the aforementioned. For this reason I no longer have to work at making my life look life what the Bible instructs. All I have to do is agree with it [the Bible], and surrender my own will, thoughts, and activities to God’s leading, and HE will graciously lead me into righteous living!
If you are not excited about that…..check your Salvation. If you’re excited but lacking victory in your walk with God and others, get with God today for a greater measure of Grace!
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~
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