Without a doubt the human mind cannot comprehend the abundance of God’s grace (grace being defined as unmerited favor). We can no more begin to grasp this concept, than we can begin to conceptualize the vastness of the cosmos. Try put your mind on what God has done for us, and contrast that with what we deserve, this brings about a feeling a utter humility and thankfulness, only to be followed by a mind that simply short circuits. What God has blessed me with this week is-“The grace of God that bringeth salvation.”
As Christians, one would never want to overstep Biblical mandate, nor bite our tongues when the occasion calls for “plain text” preaching. It is a serious thing to be an ambassador for Christ and if left up to the human intellect we would undoubtedly fail to reach the heart of sinners. Therefore, we stand in constant need for the grace of God to bring salvation-through the vehicle of his Spirit. Whenever we see a prideful heart break, and a penitent soul pour out their transgressions in earnest at an altar of prayer, you can rest assure that it is the Spirit of God that brought that about. That soul who repents to the bottom and truly forsakes his: wills, ways, and wishes; effectively dying out to all that he/she is, was, and ever will be. That soul is truly converted; and when that soul approaches the mourners bench and seeks the blessing of Sanctification he/she obtains the Spirit of Jesus dwelling inside. This Holy Spirit will burn out carnality with the same consuming fire that scorched the sacrifice on Mt. Carmel and licked up the water around (1 Kings 18); this Spirit can very much keep you from all sin and lead you in paths of righteousness. My brother, my sister, it is the grace of God that bringeth this salvation; a salvation bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus.
However, I am afraid this grace, the grace that: calls us, converts us, Sanctifies us, keeps us, and corrects us. I am afraid this grace is not the elected text of many Sunday sermons. Worse still, it is being replaced with another type of grace “cheap grace” (as coined by Dietrich Bonheoffer). “Cheap grace” -this is said to be the kind of grace that covers all sin; it is said that the blood of Jesus covers all sin, whatever sin I commit Jesus has got it covered, and because of him I can live in sin covered by his grace; by his sacrifice. What Amazing Grace! Like a piece of newspaper you lay down over the stain your dog left on the carpet-Jesus covers all sin. Folks, this type of grace does not exist! This “cheap grace” does not bring salvation; and it only satisfies the “itching ear” (II Timothy 4:3) not the hungering soul. You cannot open your Bible and find a place where God is pleased with a desire to sin; from Adam to this moment God is still not please with a man or women that desires to sin. However, he very much loves a “broken spirit and a contrite heart.” (Psalms 51:17) What we need from the Christian’s of today is to stop making excuses for sin, and start preaching the “grace of God that bringeth salvation.”
If you really want Hope and Change in this country preach the “grace of God that bringeth salvation.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11 & 12)
There is your Hope right there! There is your Change right there! The real grace of God-the kind of grace that convicts, calls, and commands you to sacrifice yourself……this grace brings FULL DELIVERENCE FROM ALL SIN! That is both sins committed and the longing to sin; and it’s not cheap-because it takes your all to get it. My brethren I do not wish to speak harshly, but I see the masses walking into a church on Sunday morning to hear a sermon that will no more save them than the bottle of alcohol they enjoyed the night before. The message is grace, the grace of God that can bring full salvation; and I believe that there are many people in this world who no longer wish to just exist in sin, but rather live in righteousness and true holiness.
The grace that bringeth salvation hath appeared. It appears in the human conscience, in a Spirit lead sermon, whenever the power of God pulls on a human heart it appears, and appears unto all men. This grace will bring salvation; do not let it be callused over by the constant scratching of cheap grace sermons. The idol of ignorance- manifested in the thought that sin is acceptable with God. Please, I humbly ask, take the time to find yourself in a quiet space-and when you’re in the place of prayer (i.e. praying in earnest, with a willingness to accept and perform God’s command); ask God “Is this your plan for the children of men? To simply struggle with sin? Or is there complete deliverance?” Then open your Bibles and turn to Romans 6.
“ For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” – (Titus 3: 3-8)
As always I look forward to reading them J
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