Words To Remember - "Grace"

When we talk about pleasing God, as we have done in our previous posts, and how that is connected with our faith, it can seem overwhelming and even at times impossible to the natural mind; and actually it is if we are relying on our own ability.  But there is something called GRACE, which can be defined not only as kindness, goodwill, mercy, favor, etc., but it can also be defined as an empowerment and an enabling from God to us so that we can do/be what we could not do/be in and of ourselves.  God's grace actually helps us to meet His standard and His requirement.  


Now, understand that this grace is attracted to humility.  For in James 4:6, the writer says, "But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" (NRSV).  And in connection with this, we see the writer in Hebrews 4:16 saying, "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (NRSV).  So, in our approach to the throne of grace, we are humbling ourselves so that we can ultimately obtain more grace.  And this grace we find at the throne is: 
1) Saving (Ephesians 2:8)
2) Settling (Hebrews 13:9) 
3) Sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)

Remember, beloved, God does not want us trying to please Him on our own strength, nor does He want us striving to walk by faith in our own might, but rather He wants us to come to His throne of grace with boldness (confidence, assurance) so that we can receive mercy and find (discover) His grace (empowerment, enabling) to help us in our time of need so that we can ultimately do/be what He wants and requires us to do/be.

Words To Remember - "Faith Made Effective"

Previously we had talked about the "Order of Faith", and that it speaks on this wise:  The primary purpose and function of faith is not to get a bigger house, a nicer car, more money, etc.  But rather the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God.  Now, with the purpose and function of our faith established toward God, we now look at what actually makes our faith effective.

In Galatians 5:6, the Apostle Paul says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love." (NRSV).  According to this passage, faith works or is made effective through love.  

So, what is love?  Well, we have a biblical definition and description of it in I Corinthians 13:4-8(a) - "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends."  (NRSV).

So, as we use our faith to please (love) God, we must also use it to love people.  For, "Those who say, 'I love God,' and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen." (I John 4:20 - NRSV).

So, as important as faith is to our walk with God, just remember that it is nothing if it is not fueled by love.  Love is how our faith is made effective, and is therefore how we are able to please God to the utmost.

Words To Remember - "What's Next?"

In our last two postings, we talked about "The Order of Faith."  And we said that the order of faith speaks on this wise:  The primary purpose and function of faith is not to get a bigger house, get a nicer car, get more money, etc.  But rather, the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God.  And in connection with this, we named at least three ways in which we can please God, which are: right living, right attitude, and right testimony.  

Now, after we have utilized our faith in accordance with its primary purpose and function, which is to please God, the question can then be easily asked, "What's Next?"  What more do I need or need to do in order to see things and circumstances change in my life, after all, I am living right; I do have a right attitude; and I do possess a right testimony, so what's next?  Aren't I suppose to be rewarded for pleasing God?  However, it seems like I am being passed over and that the reward is for some reason being delayed and even denied. So, what's next?

Well, in answer to the question, "What's Next?", we turn to the Scripture found in Hebrews 10:35-37 wherein the writer says the following:  "Do not therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.  For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  For yet 'in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay." (NRSV).  The "What's Next" that is needed in our lives after we have pleased (done the will of) God is endurance (patience)!  Now understand that when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, that it is not just simply saying that we need to wait, although it is involved.  But when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, it is saying (according to the BDAG Greek Lexicon) that we need "the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty."  That means that in having endurance/ patience, we will have enough room to put up with the situation, the unfavorable circumstance, the troublesome issue that continues to stare us in the face until our change comes.

So, how do we do have and even increase in this much needed endurance/patience?  Well, I believe that there are at least three things that we need to do in order to have and increase in the endurance/patience that we need; and these things are:
1) Keep looking at Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3  
2) Keep rejoicing in Jesus - Philippians 4:4
3) Keep standing in Jesus - Ephesians 6:13

So, what's next after we have pleased God?  Endurance/Patience. And what is endurance/patience?  The capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.  And how do we obtain and even increase in endurance/patience?  By continuing to look at, rejoice, and stand in Jesus.  God bless you.