"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
God’s grace is His goodness, His direction, His guidance, and His watch care for His children. His grace helps us stop sinning, induces joy, lifts us up in difficult moments, and leads us along His path. Someone once said that grace is “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”.
"14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" Hebrews 12:14 In order to remember and take hold of God’s grace, we need a dose of old fashioned diligence. It is not bad to have cell phones, ipods, and kindles; but all this technology sometimes gives us a false sense of accomplishment. Its ‘instant’ nature may also make it hard to discipline ourselves. However, in God’s kingdom – it takes discipline and diligence to following God’s path. We must continually strive, even when our flesh becomes tired and no longer wants to read God’s word or pray. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" Hebrews 12:14 We are to follow after God’s holiness; as believers in Christ, we are to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Since we are to imitate God in all His ways, let’s live in His holiness. This does not mean we look down on the spirituality of other people; instead, it means we think others better than ourselves in all our ways while striving to obey Him. We ought not live holy because it is our duty; instead, we ought to live holy because of what He has done for us. C.T. Studd says, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;" Hebrews 12:12 Even in the suffering of Christ on the cross, the Scriptures say there was a ‘joy’ that was set before Him because He was obeying God (Hebrews 12:2). In Hebrews 12, we are told that God may chastise us because of our sins. However, being disciplined by God is a proof that God loves us and wants to develop the character of godliness inside of us; therefore, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (verse 12) which, in our modern day English, means – stop being downtrodden and find the joy that comes about from God’s faithful discipline in our life. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4 Hebrews is a wonderful book of the Bible that teaches Jewish Christians as well as Gentile believers today that we do not want to go back to the old way. Before Christ came to earth, the Jews had focused their attention on works, performing sacrifices, and conducting celebrations in hopes of going to heaven. While some Jews realized they could only live by faith, others were trusting in their works to obtain God. When Christ walked among the Jews, He eliminated the sacrifices and celebrations the Jews had so long after sought. He became the final sacrifice when He died for our sins and, in fact, “resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:4) After all, the blood of bulls and goats (or any other man made way) can not take away sin. "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46 In Luke 23:46, Jesus said on the cross, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Are you also able to call God your Father? Jesus gave up His life out of His own free will. No one can kill God; He died because He loves you and me. Now, He was going to give up His life and He trusted his loving Father so completely that He would give Himself into His hands. Here at the precipice of death, Christ trusted God. There are two big myths in regards to our Heavenly Father. "5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8 If you were tried based on false accusations, condemned based on phony court proceedings, and spit upon and mocked even though all you ever did was help other people – you would have something to complain about. The scales of justice would be turned the wrong way, and you would do everything you could to right what was wrong. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34 Even while hanging on the cross in payment for the sins of the world and even in the middle of the agony and suffering He was experiencing, Jesus thought about others before He thought about Himself. Jesus thought about His enemies: The Roman guards, the religious leaders, and the people had rejected Christ to die on the old rugged cross; instead of divine retaliation, He asked the Father, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34] He also thought about "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." Matthew 27:45 Imagine the day that Christ was crucified. People were everywhere; the city was full because there were many pilgrims there for the Passover. People knew Jesus was being berated, so they came out to see what the commotion was about. For the Romans, they would look for the longest path to parade a convicted criminal all the way to the place of the skull called Golgotha, where they would crucify their victims. They wanted as many people as possible to watch the people Rome had condemned. "26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:25-27 Set in our ways: Because it is comfortable, it is often more preferable for us to remain where we are. Being set in our ways may have some experience and wisdom behind it, but normally – our ministry and service does not stay the same forever. God wants us to be willing to change our attitude, direction, focus, and plans. |
AuthorPastor Doug Mann Archives
October 2014
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"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18 Copyrights: All photographs used in individual blog posts have the proper credits given at the bottom of each posting as per the terms and conditions of Weebly. Web Administrator.
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