03/22/14 THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS...

03/22/14 THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS...

GOD'S GRACE TO US AND THROUGH US
We never outgrow our need for grace. In fact, without grace we will not grow, and as we grow we will have more grace.

Saving grace and enabling grace are aquired and manifested by faith.

Too many people boast about grace when they are actually presuming on mercy.

Grace is not only that which God extends to us, grace is that which God works through us.

God's grace not only saves us from sin's Penalty, it saves us from sin's Pollution and sin's Power.

THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS...
Grace and Work are not opposites. The flesh and the Spirit are opposite. Salvation by works and salvation by grace are opposite. But the grace of God is the work of God in our lives. The grace of God enables Christ followers to do the work of God.

We are not saved by our good works. In fact, our best, "good works," are as filthy rags before God. However, we are saved by grace to do good works. If we are not doing good works, the grace of God is not at work within us. If we are not living what we profess, we are hypocrites and we are deceiving ourselves.

Not only does God expect good works (the things we do) from all Christians, He requires purity of heart and self sacrificing love from those who are in a place of ministry to other people.

Remember, Jesus sent the disciples into all the world to preach the Gospel, but He told them to remain in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. That power came with the purifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The same is true for Christians today. We are not qualified to minister until we have surrendered all to Jesus and been cleansed, or as the Scripture says,
2 Timothy 2:21-22
(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
(22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

When we attempt to do the works of God in the power of the flesh, we corrupt the message and we do not honor God.