“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37
Christians, through Christ, can conquer and overcome any and everything in this life. The word goes on to tell us that we are even more than conquerors. So let me ask, “Are you just a sinner saved by grace, or are you more than a conqueror?”
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:28
Some teach grace as just a means of salvation. No doubt that it is by grace we are saved. But it don’t stop there, in fact salvation is just the beginning of the work of grace in our life. We need grace to serve God, we need grace to do it with reverence and godly fear.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
By grace we are saved. By grace we get help in the time of need. Grace is not for salvation alone, grace is needed to continue to obtain mercy, live for God and have victory over sin.
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7
Some of you may be content to be just a sinner saved by grace, but I trust you desire to rise above that and be what you are called to be, a SAINT.
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:35
Jesus said if you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you. Some may say, “I am under grace so it doesn’t matter if I forgive.” However, grace never cancels out or nullifies what Jesus said. If you have un-forgiveness in your heart, repent; it is then the grace of God takes effect. It will forgive you of un-forgiveness and give you the power to forgive others and even love them.
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4
Grace isn’t about God accepting us in our sin, grace is God delivering us from our sin. Grace isn’t about God accepting you for who you are, God’s grace delivers you from who you are.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” I Pe. 4:12
The word “fiery” is used to show the intensity that our trials can be. The believer who refuses to mature will always think that no one ever had to face the fiery trials that they had to. It is “woe is me,” “poor me.” All the while God is saying, yes, I see “poor you,” that is why I allow the fiery trials to come to you so you can be made rich in grace and all spiritual blessings.
“Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” Lev. 24:14
If I was living under the law, I wouldn’t want to hear someone curse God because I would have to be in agreement with their stoning. I wouldn’t want to lay my hands on their head or be one that would have to throw the stones. I’m sure none of you would want to be in that place either. Thank God we are not under the law. However, we have a responsibility and obligation toward one another in the church that if any of us sins, those that know of it must not shrug it off or have no care for their soul. I am not suggesting we become spiritual law enforcers and go around the church watching for anyone to sin. I am not suggesting that we deal harshly with any of our brethren that may sin. I am insisting that we lift them up before the Lord, and if need be, confront them about their sin. If you must approach someone about their sin, do it with the same grace that Jesus approached you with when He saved you.
“Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” Lev. 24:14
I could see that if we were living under the law we wouldn’t want to hear someone curse God because we would have to be in agreement with their stoning. I wouldn’t want to lay my hands on their head or be one that would have to throw the stones. I’m sure none of you would want to be in that place either. Thank God we are not under the law, however we have a responsibility and obligation toward one another in the church that if any of us sins, others that know of it will not shrug it off or have no care for their soul. I am not suggesting we become spiritual law enforcers and go around the church watching for anyone to sin. I am not suggesting that we deal harshly with any of our brethren that may sin. I am insisting that we lift them up before the Lord, and if need be confront them about their sin, but do it with the same grace that Jesus approached you when He saved you.
“Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:” Lk. 13:7-8
For three years the keeper of the vineyard was watching for that fig tree to bear fruit. He was asking the lord of the vineyard to give him another year to work it to see if it would bear fruit. The hard-nosed religious keeper would have never given the tree three years. The carnal keeper would have cared less if there was any fruit. The doubtful keeper would not have expected any fruit and the greedy keeper would only want fruit to fill his own needs and desires. The keeper that is full of grace and truth is patient, he is willing to give more time, yet he does expect to soon receive a harvest of fruit. Are you full of grace and truth when you deal with your brethren?
