Grace teaches us to say no to sin and to live righteous upright lives.
How?
What teaching method does Grace use to impart this valuable lesson?
My thoughts on this are not perfectly clear. This post is an opportunity for us to think out loud together on the answer to this question.
Here is what I have noticed happening in my life.
My view on sin has changed. Grace has peeled back the layers to show sin in a different light.
Sin is the opposite of love. Sin carries with it consequences that do harm to others. Sin hurts people.
When I sin I miss the mark of love. I’ve seen my sin cause pain and hurt and sorrow in the lives of other people.
That is a terrible thing to see.
Under grace sin is more than just a violation of law. Gratifying the flesh is no longer just a decision of should I or should I not or can I get away with it.
Grace lifts my eyes so that I see that my decisions do affect others. Then it reminds me to abide in Christ, to trust and rely on Him to live his life through me.
How has the grace of God been teaching you to say no to sin?
By the way, we couldn’t ask for a better teacher.
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God's Abundant Provision of Grace
One act of disobedience. That’s all it took. Just one act doomed the entire human race. Adam’s one sin subjected us all to sin and death.
That doesn’t seem fair does it?
Whether you believe it or not, you would have made the same choice Adam made.
As a matter of fact, all of us have. “There is no one righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10).
If only someone could perform an act righteousness.
Jesus did. His act of righteousness made us right.
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” (Romans 5:18 NIV).
This may not seem fair either.
We do not need fairness. We need grace.
That’s what we have in Jesus.
Adam’s sin ushered in the reign of death. In Jesus we reign in life. That’s grace.
Have you received God’s abundant provision of grace in Christ Jesus?
How to be made right with God
It can’t be done. That’s right. There are no steps that you can take, or works that you can do that will make you right with God
Religion and your pride will tell you differently.
Both beckon you to follow all types of rules and regulations. they promise righteousness as the reward for obedience.
That’s the problem. We can’t live up to the rules and the regulations. Have you tried the Ten Commandments? How well did you do?
Here is the truth. Law condemns, even our best efforts. It’s a harsh, humbling reality. As the bible declares, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin” (Romans 3:20 NIV).
The law screams out that we are sinners, that we are not right with God. The religious rules and regulations condemn as well.
We fall short.
But…
We are justified, or made right , freely by God’s grace (Romans 3:24).
Righteousness is a gift. It can’t be earned, only received.
Jesus did the work. He is the One who makes us right. What we couldn’t do for ourselves, He did.
How can you be made right with God? Receive the gift of righteousness by faith.
If you have, you are right in God’s sight.
How do you define grace?
On yesterday’s broadcast, I asked listeners to call the program and share their definition of grace. William from Livermore, CA defined grace as God’s act to justify us, or to make us right in His sight. He is spot on, but even so, there is so much more that can be said.
I would like to read your thoughts. So please, join the conversation. I plan to share some of your definitions on today’s broadcast. We air each day at 3:30 PM central time. Tune us in on your local station, or listen online at realanswers.net
In light of the question, here are some of my thoughts on grace.
Today, believers are being challenged to take a fresh look at the grace of God. Lives are being changed. Worn-out Christians are letting go of their legalistic ways and are embracing new life in Christ. But whenever grace takes the lead, critics follow.
These critics drone away about believers taking grace too far and using it as a license to sin. According to them, grace needs to be balanced by law and obedience. How else will believers behave properly? The critics don’t want grace to be removed from the vocabulary, just softened somewhat.
This leads to the question; “What exactly is grace?”
Grace cannot be separated from Jesus Christ. It is wrapped up in Him. He is the One who is full of grace and truth. When we look to Him and His work on our behalf, we see grace in action.
Paul described that work in his letter to the Ephesians: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4). So what is grace? It is God’s act to make us, who were dead in sin, alive with Christ. Grace is far more than a covering for sin. It is the implantation of Christ’s life in us.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines “grace” this way: that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance for a kindness granted or desired. It is a favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver.
God’s absolutely free expression of loving kindness to us is life, His life. That’s grace.
Now, it’s your turn. What is your definition of grace? In what ways has God’s grace made a difference in your life?
Join the conversation and be sure to listen to today’s radio broadcast. I’ll see you on the air.
A Grace Filled 2013
I doubt the Apostle Paul ever made New Year’s resolutions. I could be wrong about this, but I just can’t imagine him resolving to join Weight Watchers or to learn a new language. Can you?
Paul was consumed by the grace of God. Nothing else mattered. When Paul met Jesus grace became everything to him. From that point forward, he lived to tell others of this good news.
If he met you today, here is what he would tell you about the grace of God.
- Jesus is full of grace. (John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 16:23)
- Grace saves you and gives you life. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
- Grace justifies you and makes you right with God. (Romans 3:24)
- Grace makes you new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:10)
- Grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- Grace produces fruit in your life. (Colossians 1:6)
- Grace teaches you to say “No” to sin and to live righteous, upright lives. (Titus 2:11-13)
- Grace is where you stand. (Romans 5:2, 6:14)
Paul’s purpose in life never changed. Day after day, year after year, he found new ways to carry out the task the Lord Jesus had given him — “the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NIV).
On second thought, maybe this was Paul’s annual resolution.
Has the grace of God changed your perspective on New Year’s resolutions?
My Favorite Bible Passages — #5
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Thankfulness matters. Personally, I think it is the one attitude that should characterize every believer. We are the ones who know the truth–everything we have, all that we are and will be has been given to us by God.
As James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
Interestingly, the Greek word for thanks is eucharisteo. The root word is charis, which means grace. Thankfulness is the fruit of God’s grace in your life.
This gives substance to Paul’s command that we give thanks in all circumstances. This is not a magic formula, or a mantra to be repeated. Genuine thankfulness reflects a heart rooted and growing in God’s grace. It means that in the circumstances of life you trust the One who works all things together for good. This is the will of God.
My Favorite Bible Passages — #4
Imagine that you are an heir to the Bill Gates fortune. If you do not know, he Tops the Forbes list as the wealthiest man in the world with a net worth of 62 billion.
As an heir, your name shows up in Mr. Gate’s will. What he chooses to leave you is outlined in that document. Upon his death, you will find out the good news.
You had nothing to do with Mr. Gates choices. He made his decisions based on his desires and wishes for you. Just imagine listening to the attorney read off all that is yours.
What if God had will like that for you? What if he made choices based on His desires for you? And what if His choices for you met your every need and heart’s desire?
Here is the good news. That will exists. It is called the New Covenant. The writer of Hebrews includes it in his letter. It is short, but all encompassing.
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God,and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:10-12 )
For this will you do not have to wait to experience the benefits. The One who made it died. It is in effect. Forgiveness is yours. A new relationship with God is yours. Assurance of salvation is yours. A new heart is yours. In short, you have everything you need or could ever hope for.
God’s will for you is astonishing. You will spend the rest of your life learning of the height, depth, length and breadth of all that He has provided.
My Favorite Bible Passages — #3
Why does the Bible exist? What is its purpose? These questions make for some very interesting and lively discussion. Here are a few of the ideas that people throw out in response.
- The Bible is God’s rule book.
- The Bible is a manual for life.
- The Bible is a code of ethics.
- The Bible is God’s plan for man’s salvation.
- The Bible is a history book.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Maybe you have of thought of the Bible in these terms. And certainly, these are partially true, but they don’t give the big picture.
Jesus actually weighed in on the subject. In one of His many conversations with the Pharisees, He had this to say:
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 (ESV)
The Bible is God’s testimony concerning His Son. From start to finish, it is the story of Jesus. He is the key to understanding the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New. He is God’s word to man.
Why does the Bible exist? Jesus gave the answer. The Bible bears witness about Him.
What is the Bible’s purpose? So that we may have life in Him.
The next time you read the Scriptures, keep Jesus’ words to the Pharisees in mind. You’ll realize you are reading His story.
My Favorite Bible Passages — #2
How would you define eternal life? The next of my favorite Bible passages answers this question. The passage (verse) is John 17:3.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3 ESV).
There is no other passage or verse that defines eternal life in such plain language. The word eternal forces you to think of life that lasts forever. And certainly it does. But here Jesus speaks to the quality of eternal life. Here are just a few of the reasons I love this verse.
- Jesus’ definition helps me see that Christianity is all about relationship. For two thousand years, believers have been quick to say that “Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.” This verse makes that point better than any other.
- I think all roads in the Bible lead to this verse. Knowing Jesus, knowing His love, forgiveness and grace, is the pinnacle of human experience. The Gospel opens this door and delivers us to this end.
- This relationship with Jesus, eternal life, impacts every area of my life – attitudes, thinking, actions and relationships. Knowing Jesus changes us.
If you haven’t given this verse much thought before, hopefully this post will inspire you to give it a fresh look. When I did, it helped me see that I could experience eternal life here and now.
My Favorite Bible Passages — #1
For the next several weeks, I will be sharing my favorite Bible passages. These are the places in the Bible I return to time and time again for comfort, reassurance or fresh insight.
My favorite passage is in the book of Colossians. (It is hard to pick a favorite, I know, but if I had to, this one would be it.) Here it is.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:9-15 (NIV)
Here are the reasons this passage tops my list of favorites.
- It starts with Christ and ends with Christ. In six verses, Paul explains who Jesus is and the meaning of His death, burial and resurrection.
- I learned that my real problem was spiritual death, and that something had to happen to me before change could take place in my life. I had tried to be God’s guy, but my efforts came up woefully short.
- In the plainest language possible, it states that all my sins have been forgiven.
- It also tells me that the law of sin and death has been taken away.
- It declares that my enemy was defeated and disarmed through Christ’s triumphant victory at the cross.
- It tells me that I am complete, or have fullness, in Jesus Christ.
Some thirty years ago is when this passage hit my heart. I was confused about Christianity, and why I was such a colossal failure as far as my Christian life was concerned. Paul’s straight forward words flipped a switch in my understanding. I felt forgiven and that there was hope for me. The weight of trying to do it on my own was lifted. But more than anything, I felt alive.
Perhaps you feel defeated in your Christian life, or that you are mired in guilt and shame. It could be that you sense an emptiness deep within your heart, or that something is just plain wrong with you. If so, read this passage carefully. Jesus knows where you are. Who He is and what He accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection can change who you are. This passage was the catalyst for me to look to Him. I pray it will be the same for you.