Post by Zac Loh on Jan 4, 2006 7:00:19 GMT -5
There was this man in South Africa who wrote a book, many years back. He relived a memory about how God spoke to him one night. God asked this man whether he was willing to serve Him. This man answered, “I am not willing.” Well, God asked him again, “are you willing to be willing?” And he replied, “I am not willing to be willing.” Then, God asked, “are you willing to be willing to be willing?” Finally, this man answered, “Yes Lord, I am willing.” God knew this man's heart! What happens if you screw-up God’s grace? Go back to His grace!
Are you unsure of God’s grace to you, or for you?
Yet, God’s word is true.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? [Romans 8:31-32]
It’s hard to teach someone to relax ...especially when the major emphasis today is doing, doing and doing... and non-stop doing.
But didn’t God said to Moses, “Stand still ...you shall hold your peace”?
So, let go. Release. Stay cool. Relax!
I need Your grace everyday,
I need Your grace today,
I need Your grace more than yesterday.
SELF-WORK OR GRACE?
The word `charisma’ which is an extension of the word `charis’; is the word usually used for `spiritual gift’. This word is defined as `a divine gratuity, a spiritual endowment, miraculous faculty, free gift’. It’s not our ability that can do it. That’s why our spiritual gifts are divinely endowed as an ability that’s not ours.
Self-work and grace, are at opposite ends. Self-work is when we’re depending on our determination and ability. Whether we realized it or not, grace will be absent when self-work takes control.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [Romans 11:6a]
We have to make-up our mind to never let anyone lead us in any way - other than the way of the grace of God.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. [Ephesians 2:4-10]
GRACE AND TRUTH GO TOGETHER!
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [John 1:17]
The Bible Greek word for `and' in the above text, is `kai'. The word origin of `kai' is explained this way: `apparently, a priimary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force.'
Now `copulative', in our application here, means `being adjoined' i.e. `two-in-one' or `two-as-one'.
So, grace and truth; they are together, they go together.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. [John 16:13-15]
Truth comes only from the words of grace. Without grace, there is not truth, but only law. We cannot have words of grace without the Holy Spirit, because He is the Spirit of grace, Who is also the Spirit of truth.
In Acts 11:19-26, it was said that Barnabas saw the grace of God. What exactly did he see? He saw the truth of Christ prospered through preaching and teaching. By the words of His grace, a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Barnabas and Paul taught a great many people for a whole year!
THE SERVITUDE OF GRACE
Jesus was full of grace and truth. In order for us to have the same, we need to be in like manner that He was.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:5-11]
Are we willing to let-go, to forsake our personal rights, and privilege... in pertinence to our time, our opportunities... and serving God’s purpose in our lives? Are we ready to lay down our lives?
We cannot truly serve others if we care about our reputation. Serving by grace means that we do not have to succumb to the mould made by people, by situation, by system, by society. Grace will not move by rigid structures and expectations. We become a servant for God for His purpose alone. Do not serve God out of need. Serve out of grace. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice [1 Samuel 15:22].
Many are serving by guilt, instead of grace.
“Lord, your grace is abundant. Let Your grace flow in our serving. Let Your grace flow from the worship team to the congregation. Let Your grace flow through the hands of the ushers as they shake them. Let Your grace be in the hands of the technicians as they adjust the sound system.”
Serving God is also serving men whom Jesus died for. Jesus became like men in order to minister to men. To serve others effectively, we have to come to a place where, inadvertently, our human weaknesses and follies are exposed. This requires true humility within our character.
Seeing then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. [Hebrews 4:14,15]
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
[1 Peter 5:5a… 6]
The principle of the law of gravity says that what goes up must come down. But God's principle of humility says that when you do go down, God will lift you up! The hand of God is the working of His grace.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord ... When he came and saw the grace of God, [Acts 11:21 ... 23a].
Only when the grace of God comes upon us, can we able to humble ourselves. During then, we don’t claim any great work as ours. Nobody can truly humble himself by using his own strength and willpower: if the grace of God is not working within. When a person thinks that it has already happened - by his ability; it is actually a false humility. As a result, the person ends-up being proud because he thinks he is humble. It is absolutely subtle. Nobody can humble himself without the grace of God. The greater the grace of God, the more the person can be able to humble himself. The more the person humble himself, the greater the grace that will come upon his life.
We cannot help but to encounter people. Hurt, disappointment and discouragement will be there. Should we avoid these? No, but we can walk in grace. It doesn't matter what men say about us. Let them see the grace of God. And it doesn't matter what men do to us. Let the grace of God in us run its full course - to control our actions, our words and decisions. Let them be by His grace. Let the spirit of grace work within us, guide us, and give us wisdom.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men [Luke 2:52].
Be comforted to know that you when you find favor with God; you will eventually find favor with godly men.
That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. [Ephesians 2:7-10]
It is not we working... but He working in us, and through us. When we are work-based instead of grace-based, we tend to show off. Grace-based is hidden, to be unknowingly to others. The dove moves in silent [Matthew 6:1-7].
THE DAY GRACE STOPPED
Have you ever experience a day when God’s grace just stop working as King David had? You can read about it in 1 Chronicles chapter 21. This is the story about the reversal of grace. David was numbering his people. That was what he thought... his people... solely his. But God thought differently, to Him, they were His people ...first and foremost.
This disagreement was going to be costly to David even though he didn’t think of it then. Neither did he perceive the widening breach between him and God.
Joab gave him a very good advice: “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” But, `Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab.”
[1 Chronicles 21:3-4]
David, as a covering grace for Israel, had failed. But now, Jesus, the perfect covering grace for the spiritual Israel... always lives to make intercession for them [Hebrews 7:25].
History tends to repeat itself. Satan took over the angels under him ...as his own, exclusively.
The builders of the city and tower of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves at a certain plain in the land of Shinar. Well, God confused and scattered them to prove His point [Gen 11:1-9].
Nebuchadnezzar made an image of himself so that everybody could worship him, and think about the greatness of his empire... until God made him eat grass like an oxen for seven years [Dan 3:1-7 & 4:28-33].
The rich man thought that the future was his... until God took it [Lk 12:16-20].
No human being can take so much glory. Ask King Herod, he was strucked down by an angel of God, eaten by worms and died immediately after having given a fantastic oratory in his royal apparel [Acts 12:21-23].
Paul posed this question to us: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” And Paul, by the wisdom God, had the answer for us: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” [1 Cor 1:20 & 25]
The danger is when we begin to take stock of ourselves, rather than counting-on the sufficiency of the limitless grace of God.
God has a time for everything [Ecclesiastes 3:1-17]. As we move with His grace, take account of the fact that `timing is everything’. The grace of God tells us that we can cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.
Let us find our place in His grace.
Are you unsure of God’s grace to you, or for you?
Yet, God’s word is true.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? [Romans 8:31-32]
It’s hard to teach someone to relax ...especially when the major emphasis today is doing, doing and doing... and non-stop doing.
But didn’t God said to Moses, “Stand still ...you shall hold your peace”?
So, let go. Release. Stay cool. Relax!
I need Your grace everyday,
I need Your grace today,
I need Your grace more than yesterday.
SELF-WORK OR GRACE?
The word `charisma’ which is an extension of the word `charis’; is the word usually used for `spiritual gift’. This word is defined as `a divine gratuity, a spiritual endowment, miraculous faculty, free gift’. It’s not our ability that can do it. That’s why our spiritual gifts are divinely endowed as an ability that’s not ours.
Self-work and grace, are at opposite ends. Self-work is when we’re depending on our determination and ability. Whether we realized it or not, grace will be absent when self-work takes control.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [Romans 11:6a]
We have to make-up our mind to never let anyone lead us in any way - other than the way of the grace of God.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. [Ephesians 2:4-10]
GRACE AND TRUTH GO TOGETHER!
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [John 1:17]
The Bible Greek word for `and' in the above text, is `kai'. The word origin of `kai' is explained this way: `apparently, a priimary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force.'
Now `copulative', in our application here, means `being adjoined' i.e. `two-in-one' or `two-as-one'.
So, grace and truth; they are together, they go together.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. [John 16:13-15]
Truth comes only from the words of grace. Without grace, there is not truth, but only law. We cannot have words of grace without the Holy Spirit, because He is the Spirit of grace, Who is also the Spirit of truth.
In Acts 11:19-26, it was said that Barnabas saw the grace of God. What exactly did he see? He saw the truth of Christ prospered through preaching and teaching. By the words of His grace, a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Barnabas and Paul taught a great many people for a whole year!
THE SERVITUDE OF GRACE
Jesus was full of grace and truth. In order for us to have the same, we need to be in like manner that He was.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:5-11]
Are we willing to let-go, to forsake our personal rights, and privilege... in pertinence to our time, our opportunities... and serving God’s purpose in our lives? Are we ready to lay down our lives?
We cannot truly serve others if we care about our reputation. Serving by grace means that we do not have to succumb to the mould made by people, by situation, by system, by society. Grace will not move by rigid structures and expectations. We become a servant for God for His purpose alone. Do not serve God out of need. Serve out of grace. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice [1 Samuel 15:22].
Many are serving by guilt, instead of grace.
“Lord, your grace is abundant. Let Your grace flow in our serving. Let Your grace flow from the worship team to the congregation. Let Your grace flow through the hands of the ushers as they shake them. Let Your grace be in the hands of the technicians as they adjust the sound system.”
Serving God is also serving men whom Jesus died for. Jesus became like men in order to minister to men. To serve others effectively, we have to come to a place where, inadvertently, our human weaknesses and follies are exposed. This requires true humility within our character.
Seeing then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. [Hebrews 4:14,15]
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
[1 Peter 5:5a… 6]
The principle of the law of gravity says that what goes up must come down. But God's principle of humility says that when you do go down, God will lift you up! The hand of God is the working of His grace.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord ... When he came and saw the grace of God, [Acts 11:21 ... 23a].
Only when the grace of God comes upon us, can we able to humble ourselves. During then, we don’t claim any great work as ours. Nobody can truly humble himself by using his own strength and willpower: if the grace of God is not working within. When a person thinks that it has already happened - by his ability; it is actually a false humility. As a result, the person ends-up being proud because he thinks he is humble. It is absolutely subtle. Nobody can humble himself without the grace of God. The greater the grace of God, the more the person can be able to humble himself. The more the person humble himself, the greater the grace that will come upon his life.
We cannot help but to encounter people. Hurt, disappointment and discouragement will be there. Should we avoid these? No, but we can walk in grace. It doesn't matter what men say about us. Let them see the grace of God. And it doesn't matter what men do to us. Let the grace of God in us run its full course - to control our actions, our words and decisions. Let them be by His grace. Let the spirit of grace work within us, guide us, and give us wisdom.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men [Luke 2:52].
Be comforted to know that you when you find favor with God; you will eventually find favor with godly men.
That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. [Ephesians 2:7-10]
It is not we working... but He working in us, and through us. When we are work-based instead of grace-based, we tend to show off. Grace-based is hidden, to be unknowingly to others. The dove moves in silent [Matthew 6:1-7].
THE DAY GRACE STOPPED
Have you ever experience a day when God’s grace just stop working as King David had? You can read about it in 1 Chronicles chapter 21. This is the story about the reversal of grace. David was numbering his people. That was what he thought... his people... solely his. But God thought differently, to Him, they were His people ...first and foremost.
This disagreement was going to be costly to David even though he didn’t think of it then. Neither did he perceive the widening breach between him and God.
Joab gave him a very good advice: “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” But, `Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab.”
[1 Chronicles 21:3-4]
David, as a covering grace for Israel, had failed. But now, Jesus, the perfect covering grace for the spiritual Israel... always lives to make intercession for them [Hebrews 7:25].
History tends to repeat itself. Satan took over the angels under him ...as his own, exclusively.
The builders of the city and tower of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves at a certain plain in the land of Shinar. Well, God confused and scattered them to prove His point [Gen 11:1-9].
Nebuchadnezzar made an image of himself so that everybody could worship him, and think about the greatness of his empire... until God made him eat grass like an oxen for seven years [Dan 3:1-7 & 4:28-33].
The rich man thought that the future was his... until God took it [Lk 12:16-20].
No human being can take so much glory. Ask King Herod, he was strucked down by an angel of God, eaten by worms and died immediately after having given a fantastic oratory in his royal apparel [Acts 12:21-23].
Paul posed this question to us: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” And Paul, by the wisdom God, had the answer for us: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” [1 Cor 1:20 & 25]
The danger is when we begin to take stock of ourselves, rather than counting-on the sufficiency of the limitless grace of God.
God has a time for everything [Ecclesiastes 3:1-17]. As we move with His grace, take account of the fact that `timing is everything’. The grace of God tells us that we can cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.
Let us find our place in His grace.