The fifth basic principle in the application of the law of liberty

5.     Know that the Lord is Sovereign

The fifth basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know,  understand and believe that,  the Lord is Sovereign and because of His Sovereignty He is in complete control over everything and so we have been duly admonished saying; “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord': For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:7-9).

Now because of the Lord’s sovereignty we are at liberty clearly demonstrated by the apostle Paul who wrote; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it” (Romans 14:5-6).

Nevertheless, despite one’s liberty to observe or not to observe if one chooses to observe there is a protocol on how it should be done as instructed by the Psalmist David who wrote: “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” (1 Chronicles 16:23-30; Psalms 96:1-9).

Now the way the families of the peoples give to the Lord glory and strength and the glory due to His name is by applying the basic principles stated by the Psalmist David which ae applicable as follows:

a.       a. Ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name

The way one ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His name It is by observing His Sabbaths  For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

b.      b. Bring an offering and come before His courts

The Lord has ordained specific times for His people to bring an offering and come before His courts because he instructed Moses saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

It is important to note that without this offering one has no access to the Father because, this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.’

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:5-10).

Please note carefully that it is only if we walk in the light as He is in the light that we have fellowship with one another and it is at this juncture that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. The cup of blessings which we bless is our password and gateway to the Father because this is what that cleanses us from our sins in order to have fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another.

According to the apostle Paul this is what gives us the boldness with confidence to approach the throne of grace for thus he wrote; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

This is also the significance of Jesus’ statement when He said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way signifies His flesh represented by the Unleavened Bread, the truth signifies Himself, the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us and is now seated at the right hand of the Father as our eternal High Priest interceding on our behalf: And the life signifies His blood represented by the wine: And as it is written; “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

In Christ Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, and according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22).

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The fourth basic principle in the application of the law of liberty

4.      Know that the Lord sustains us

The fourth basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord sustains us; for according to the apostle Paul; “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4).

 “For none of us lives to himself and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's: For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:7-9).

Therefore, there is absolutely nothing one can do that has any kind of effect on one’s salvation or eternal life which is by the grace of God and as a gift from God. In fact we have been duly instructed saying; “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

There is however one act of righteousness that we are to practice and that will make us as righteous even as Jesus Christ Himself is righteous and of course we have also been duly instructed saying; “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness (1 John 3:7; Romans 6:18-19).

Therefore, regardless of the fact that there is absolutely nothing one can do with regards to salvation and eternal life one must however take into consideration the state of holiness, everlasting life and glorification of the body. 

With reference to receiving everlasting life this is what we have been duly admonished saying; “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

And with respect to the glorification of the body we are told that; “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:41-44).

Therefore, as one can clearly see holiness, everlasting life and glorification of the body comes as the result of practicing the act of righteousness that when practice makes one righteous just as Jesus Christ Himself is righteous for it is written; “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” And with respect to glorification we are admonished saying; “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (Romans 6:22; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

And with the glorification of the body there will be differences in glory just as there are differences between the glory of the sun and the moon, and just as every star differs in glory so will be the glorification of the spiritual body and these are not free gifts like salvation and eternal life they have to be attained by sowing to the Spirit.

It is also an important thing to note that, this act of righteousness that produces holiness and ends in everlasting life has a specific ordained time to be offered, for this is what the Lord commanded saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:1).

This offering which we are to offer to the Lord at their appointed time is the medium by which one becomes holy as it was in the Old Testament which was a shadow and copy of the reality and states as follows; “They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:33).

The reality of this offering today in our New Testament dispensation is the body and blood of Jesus Christ which by the way is the medium by which one has access and fellowship with the Father who has absolutely no fellowship with darkness.

 To be continued

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Lucius Joseph

 

The third basic principle of the law of liberty

3. Know that the Lord receives us

The third basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord has received us. So whether one eats or don’t eat, or whether one observes or do not observe days the Lord has received them both, and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).

This sentiment is also applicable in the observation of days as clearly stated; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

‘For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:5-8).

What is imperative to note and understand by everyone is that; “For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Therefore, whether one eats or not, or observing or not observing days these have absolutely no effect on one’s salvation because, according to the apostle Paul; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)

.Nevertheless, what we all need to take into consideration is the fact that, despite the fact that it is by grace that we have all been saved through faith and it is not of ourselves but it’s God’s gift to man; “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:9).

Now, before getting into the good works which God ordained beforehand that we should walk in them we should also consider the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “What then? Shall we sin (transgress the law of God) because we are not under law but under grace? The response is, “Certainly not! (Romans 6:15)

Why, because having been set free from sin (free from transgressing the law of God) one became slaves of righteousness and being slaves of righteousness means that the individual is living within the confines the law because according to the apostle Paul; “knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1Timothy 1:9-10).

Now the good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in is categorized in two (2) basic categories as stated by Jesus Christ saying; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

Now love towards God is expressed through true spiritual worship which has specific protocols and guidelines and although one has the prerogative to observe or not to observe, if one chooses to worship the Lord it must not be done under compulsion, coercion, according to the imagination of one’s own heart or according to the customs and traditions of men, because there are specific protocols and guidelines as to how we ought to worship God.

The second aspect of the good works which were ordained beforehand that we should walk in is to love our neighbor as ourselves which in short means that we are to do unto others just as we would like them do unto us.

As believers, we therefore are to be very mindful and watchful that we do not allow ourselves to be caught up in the rough turbulent waters of legalism or in the calm, placid but deadly toxic waters of liberalism because they are both equally detrimental to our spiritual growth.

To be continued

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Lucius Joseph

 

 

The second basic principle of the law of liberty

2.      Receiving one another with understanding

The second basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to receive one another with understanding for we have been duly instructed saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3)/

The crux of the matter is, “Food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But instead, we have been duly admonished saying; “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”  In addition to this, we should not let our good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3: 8-9; Romans 14:16-17).

The logical advice therefore given to all believers is, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

This perception applies not only to eating and drinking but also when it comes to worship For this is what we have been duly admonished saying: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:5-7).

But the question is, does this liberty give one the freedom to worship God when and how one desires? Absolutely not because there are specific guidelines and protocol on how God ought to be worshiped for we have been duly admonished saying; “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

We have also been admonished saying; “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name."

And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" (Romans 15: 7-11).

But the crux of the matter according to Jesus Christ is, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24).

And so the logical question for every believer is, the rationale, the objective, the purpose, the manner and the day that we set aside to worship God is it in spirit and in truth! Is it in accordance to the word of God because Jesus Christ said quite explicitly; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63)?

Yes we do have the liberty to observe or not to observe but if we choose to observe are we observing the days which honors and glorifies the Lord as the Lord or are we giving honor and glory to another so called god? For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Therefore, although the law of liberty gives one the freedom to live with one another with understanding, nevertheless, if we are to worship the One and only true God in spirit and truth we are to appear before Him and worship Him on the days He has ordained.

To be continued

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Lucius Joseph

 

How applicable is the law of liberty?

 

How applicable is the law of liberty?

The law of liberty like every other law is applicable and has huge benefits when obeyed and huge consequences when disobeyed. Like all other laws there is a literal and practical way by which it is applicable and there are six (6) basic principles on how to apply it.

1        Building one another without offending them

In applying this first principle the first thing one should take into consideration is the fact that it is by grace we all have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Furthermore, and if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:6).

In the same token we also have to consider the fact that, we are all His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, despite our liberty and freedom there are certain guidelines that regulates our daily living especially when it comes to the worship of the One and only true God and even though we may not be breaking these guidelines ourselves but will be guilty if we approve of those who practice them.

Therefore, we must learn how to build one another in the faith without offending one another for example we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.”

The apostle Paul continued admonishing us by saying; “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:14-22).

This principle applies not only to what one eats and drinks but also applies to our day of worship as emphasized by the apostle Paul who wrote saying; “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's: For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:4-9).

To be continued

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Lucius Joseph

 

The fifth integral component of grace

1. The Gospel

The fifth integral part of the grace of God is the gospel, the good news of our salvation which is the medium by which we can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because, the new man whom we have become through the grace of God is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him (2 Peter 3:18, Colossians 3:10).

Having knowledge of the good news of our salvation is of humongous importance and paramount for the development of the new man, because the lack of knowledge is very detrimental as we have been duly instructed saying; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

God’s grace due to lack of knowledge can be received in vain especially if we act like the servant who received the one talent and did not invest it, but hid it in a napkin. By abandoning God’s grace, never invest it, not increasing in knowledge not making maximum, effective use of it and by not using it properly. This also refers to those who hold on to men’s traditions as alluded to in scriptures saying, “This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men” (Mark 7:6-9).

No matter what portion of grace one has received, it is grace that trains and teaches us. Our teacher is the Holy Spirit whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus Christ to teach us all things, and bring to remembrance all things spoken by Jesus Christ. We have an anointing from the Holy One and know the truth (John 14:26; 1John 2:20).

When we do not believe and understand the truth, we allow the wicked one to come and snatch away what is sown in our heart. According to the scriptures, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19).

But we have received the consolation saying, “The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1John 2:27).

As the Spirit teaches, our duty is to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not to be conformed to this world, following the Status Quo, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God, and as we behold the glory of the Lord from what is learnt from the scriptures, we are to be transformed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another. Christianity is one’s personal relationship with God. It is, “To him who knows to do what is good, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

”If one says, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? Remember, each of us shall give account of himself to God. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (Proverbs 24:12; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

One thing we should all bear in mind is that, “God repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way; Each one will be rewarded according to his own work, the righteous judgment of God is to render to each one according to his deeds, each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor (Job 34:11; Psalms 62:12; Romans 2:6; 1Corinthians 3:8; Matthew 16:27).

Now when it comes to having faith it is also a matter between the individual and God, for we have been duly admonished saying; “If anyone has faith, let him has it to himself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14: 22).

Since Christianity is one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ, where does the church fit in this dispensation, or the stewardship that has been entrusted to it? Firstly, in this new dispensation we are all sufficient or competent Ministers of the new covenant. “Not that we are sufficient or competent in ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2Cornthians 3:4-6).

 So then, where does the church and its leaders fit in our New Testament dispensation, inasmuch as it is the anointing which we have received from Him abides in us, and we do not need that anyone teach us; but as the same anointing teaches us concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught us, we will abide in Him.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The fourth integral component of grace

1. Jesus Christ our High Priest

The fourth integral part of the grace of God is Jesus Christ Himself whom not only is eternal life and has granted us the gift of eternal life with all our unique gifts, talents and abilities, His forgiving mercies but also Himself as the great and Eternal High Priest who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on the behalf of all those who seeks Him.

For we have been duly admonished saying; “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense (the first Adam) many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.’

“For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (Romans 5:15-18)

We have also been instructed saying; “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:5:1-2).

Jesus Christ encompasses all of God’s grace, God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Timothy 1:9-10).

Jesus Christ is all and in all, for God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him and He is presently seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf as our eternal High Priest and left us with His flesh to eat in the form of the unleavened bread and His blood to drink in the form of the wine for our continual sanctification, redemption, justification and ultimately our glorification, but the million dollar question is, have we received this aspect of God’s grace in vain?

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

 

The third integral components of God's grace

3. God’s forgiving Mercy.

The third integral part and significant aspect of God’s grace is His act of forgiveness. The medium by which the love of God is demonstrated by forgiving us of our sins, heals our diseases, redeems our life from destruction as alluded to by the Psalmist David who wrote; “Praise the Lord O my soul; and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalms 103: 2-5).

 Or as a popular hymn which says; “God sent His Son they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive, He lived and died to buy my pardon an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.”

If this aspect of God’s grace is not being realized one should question him/herself and ask why? It is further stated in the scriptures saying; “If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

“You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ‘Because He loves Me’, says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:9-16).

And we have been given the assurance that, “God, who has called us into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful” (1Corinthians 1:9).

Therefore, if for any reason a true believer in Christ is not reaping the benefits of this aspect of God’s grace, it is simply because he/she does not have the faith and is not partaking of the provisions provided, maybe not as often as he/she should, or he/she is partaking of the provisions provided in an unworthy manner because, we have been clearly admonished saying; “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself, that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1Corinthians 11:27-30).

As often or whenever one eats this bread, and drinks this cup which represents the sacrificial body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he/she proclaims or makes known publicly, thus fulfilling the purpose for which Christ died, until He comes. Remember, the cup is the new covenant or agreement of Christ’s blood for the remission of sins, without which there is no forgiveness.

Now let us take into consideration the opposite side of the equation, if many among us are weak, sick and many have fallen asleep because of the improper discernment of the Lord’s body, what will be the outcome of those who have the proper discernment of the Lord’ body and is partaking of it in the proper manner? Will it not result in strength, good health and longevity? Food for thought!

So again I beg to ask the question, have we received this aspect of God's grace in vain?

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The second integral components of God's grace

1. Gifts, talents, and abilities:

The second integral part of God’s grace is His gifts, talents and abilities which He bestowed on humanity without his or her input. It is through the grace of God who is Jesus Christ, God's gift to man that we have been endowed with gifts, talents and abilities that are unique to each individual, for to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. And according to John the Baptist, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (Ephesians 4:7; John 3:27).

Therefore, we are to learn not to think beyond what is written that none of us may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For it is written; “For who makes you differs from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if one did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:6-7).

Therefore, we have been duly admonished by the apostle Paul saying; “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:3-8).

We are to use this aspect of God’s grace to honor and glorify Him, and minister them to others for the benefit and common good of all. For we have been duly admonished saying; “Each one should use whatever gift he/she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

We have been instructed saying; “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1Peter 4:10; 1Corinthians 12:4-7).

And so the admonition is, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8).

So the question is, are we using this aspect of God's grace in the way it was intended! Or have we received it in vain?

To be continued

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFP1SMV

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FV4WTWQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FV4WTWQ

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph