What Grace Teaches

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

Titus 2:11-14

Grace is a gift of God Christians ought to receive with joy and walk in.  A quick search revealed 17 books in the New Testament begin with a salutation which mentions grace and peace together.  It is only by the grace of God we can have peace with God.  Paul wrote in  Romans 5:1-2, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10), and we also stand and rejoice in God's grace continually.

Though grace is a common theme throughout the entire Bible, it is commonly misunderstood.  It can be frustrated and abused.  God's grace can erroneously become a "cloak" for sin, and antinomianism is strongly spoken against in the New Testament.  The Titus passage quoted above plainly says the grace of God ought to teach us many things:  we ought to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world; and we should live knowing we will be required to settle accounts with a holy God on the day of judgment.  God's grace should bring to remembrance the massive price Jesus paid in shedding His own blood for the atonement of sinners, purchasing for Himself a church He desires to be pure as He is pure.  We are not saved by works, but by God's grace we have been saved unto good works for God's glory.

Since we have been born again by the grace of God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our conduct, thoughts, and words ought to reflect this transformation.  By the grace of God we can experience the peace of God which passes all understanding.  By God's grace we have access to the joy of the LORD which is our strength (Neh. 8:10).  The grace of God had a profound impact on Barnabas, as we read in Acts 11:23:  "When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord."  The grace of God isn't something we talk about.  It is not a theological doctrine but produces tangible fruit in the life of Christ's disciples.  When Barnabas saw this grace of God, he was glad.  This also prompted him to encourage all that "with purpose of heart they should continue with the LORD."  With the certainly afforded Christians with the resurrection by God's grace, Paul echoed this sentiment in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Let we who follow Jesus ensure we are learning the lessons God's grace is intended to teach us.  The Law is compared to a tutor who led us by the hand to Jesus in Galatians 3, and it could be said grace is a loving embrace by God which inspires us to personal holiness.  As we continue in this earthly pilgrimage, let us cling to our God of all grace as we walk in the way which pleases Him.  1 Peter 5:8-11 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Unexpected Deliverance

It occurred to me recently how God brings deliverance and salvation in ways we could never expect.  He raised up deliverers for His people from unexpected places, men like Moses who was a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh's house and David whom God prepared as he kept his father's flock.  God also used means seen as unthinkable by God's people to chasten them to repentance and humility.  He is willing to go to lengths what men might consider extreme to revive and restore a faithful remnant before Him.

Reading through the prophets there is found a common theme of surprise among devout Jews God would employ King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (whom God called His servant) to bring the nation into captivity.  Habakkuk the prophet of God was left astonished at this revelation.  How could God possibly use a heathen nation who was under God's judgment to chasten God's people?  In the New Testament Peter explained judgment begins at the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17).  God was not turning a blind eye to the idolatry, witchcraft, and sin of the Babylonians.  They would face judgment before a holy God.  They would be God's chosen yet unlikely rod of discipline - unthinkable from the perspective of God's people, of course!

The scriptures also reveal God uses unlikely means to correct and humble His people:  unclean spirits.  When King Saul was lifted up with pride, the Holy Spirit departed from Saul and God sent an evil spirit to torment and harass him.  This is stated as a matter-of-fact in 1 Samuel 16:14-16:  "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. ¹⁵ And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. ¹⁶ Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well."  What may surprise you is God allowed a messenger of Satan to afflict the apostle Paul, a man who remained loyal to God.  He explained in 2 Corinthians 12:7, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."  King Saul started well and Saul who later became Paul finished well, yet they both received treatment from God we might think odd from our limited perspective.

The scriptures prove God is in control of nations and individuals, of those who fear God and to those lifted up with pride.  People both near to God and far from Him remain subject to His authority and are offered His peace and love.  He sovereignly allowed Job to suffer at the hand of Satan, and also graciously restored double-honour unto Job after the trial.  God is willing to allow those He loves to experience pain and buffeting so we will be refined and cling closer to Him.  God knows the deadly danger of idolatry and pride and loves people too much to allow us to be comfortable on the broad path which leads to destruction.  The fact God allowed Satan to enter Judas who betrayed righteous Jesus Christ to suffer and die on a cross to demonstrate His love for us and extend salvation to all who repent and trust in Him cannot be overlooked.  If we should receive such consolation and comfort from the sufferings of Christ and even Paul, isn't it likely in our suffering God has redemption and revival in mind? (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)

Let us not be dismayed when we too face difficulties in this life.  I have come to believe if a child of God is defeated, God is the one responsible.  We can think the devil is responsible when God Himself is refining us!  He allows the burdens of life to be heavy upon us to test us, to see if we will trust and obey God in pain or go our own way to try to avoid it.  God is good to crush us under the weight of our sin, inadequacy, and apparent fruitfulness so we might cast our cares upon Him in humble desperation.  It is written in Isaiah 57:15, "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."  If a car fell off jack stands and crushed down on a man's chest as he worked on a car, he would instinctively struggle to free himself from the weight.  When the conviction of sin come crushing down upon us, when our failures seem heavy, when we make a mistake when we try to wriggle free.  It is good for us to humble ourselves in repentance before God, for God dwells with the humble and contrite - the crushed, the broken - and will revive the heart and spirit of the same.

This crushing is not pleasant or fun, even though God redeems it for good.  Paul prayed fervently on three occasions the spiritual attacks would stop, but God did the unthinkable:  He said no.  Let us hear from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:  "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  Paul did not cower in fear, nor was he disillusioned or depressed as if God had forsaken him.  God allowed a messenger of Satan, but with the buffeting provided bountiful consolation in God.  Paul responded to this beautifully as we also ought, gladly rejoicing in infirmities and the sufficiency of God's grace. Paul's accuser delivered him from pride and caused him to abide with God in humility and truth.  Because Paul suffered and overcame by God's grace, and in weakness discovered strength, we can do the same even when God allows things we can't explain or escape.

Pour Out Your Heart

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Psalm 62:8

How good and refreshing it is to pour out our hearts to God!  We are commanded to be casting our cares upon the LORD because He cares for us.  I confess sometimes my prayers better resemble a small trickle than a pouring.  When we are finally content to be empty of self the Holy Spirit floods into our hearts with sustaining power, peace, and joy.  How easily we can hold onto cares when God urges us to trust Him and simply pour out our hearts before Him!  Is He not able to accomplish what concerns us and all others today?

It is wonderful we do not need to have answers or even all the information to pour out our hearts before God.  He is not like an earthly judge who requires us to present all our evidence before he will act according to the law, but God knows our needs even before we ask and will supply them by His grace.  We don't have to be privy to insider information or use spiritual lingo.  God knows what He will do even before we are compelled to pray!  How great is our Saviour!  How gracious and generous He is to us, we who instinctively hold onto our sins, worries, and concerns!  At all times He is a trustworthy refuge who will protect for us.  All we need is found in Him.

"Selah" means to pause and think about what was just said.  Take some time think over what the Psalmist has said and affirm it is true to your experience.  Are you trusting God today?  Have you poured out your heart before Him?  Do you realise God is the true refuge you have been desiring, far more glorious and lovely than the circumstances we have begged Him to change?  Let us pour out our hearts before Him holding nothing back, brothers and sisters of little faith.  We will find our peace, rest, and joy in Him today and always.  

The Dresser

After experiencing consecutive sunrises in a plane, my trip to Israel ended safely this morning with my arrival into Sydney.  As I rode on the train home from the airport, I was filled with praise unto God.  He was with me every step of the way.  All unknowns were met by His gracious provision, and He guided and protected me at all times.  His merciful hand coordinated my transportation as well as times of sharing from God's Word.  The time of fellowship with Christians in the Holy Land was sweet indeed.  Despite the lengthy periods of travel and speaking my soul feels refreshed, though the body is weary.  How great God is and worthy to be praised, for He does not grow weary or faint!

On the last leg of my journey from Bangkok to Sydney, I watched a BBC television film called "The Dresser" starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins.  The story is primarily about two aging men, a renowned actor in ill health and his dresser who labours behind the scenes to ensure the show goes on.  "Sir," played by Hopkins, is plagued by the potential end of a career without the fame and notoriety he believes his lifetime of sacrifice deserves.  A scrapbook of articles chronicling his successes is one of his chief treasures, but even a full house and a curtain call leaves the man empty.  The dresser Norman, expertly performed by an inspired McKellen, struggles also with the same problem.  His constant labours to prepare the disoriented and ill "Sir" for the stage are completely overlooked - even by the man himself.  He loves and despises his "Sir" at the same time, for all his dreams live and die with him.  Without someone to dress, what good is a dresser?

I found the film moving because it hits upon a key note in Christian ministry:  motivation.  I thought to myself, why do I do what I do for Jesus?  Why do we make the personal sacrifices to obey God?  Do we preach or write to be known or to make Jesus Christ known?  Sir desired rave reviews, a knighthood, and that people would speak well of him after his passing.  Norman fed off the praise of his idol, for when Sir was praised he vicariously and greedily gobbled it up.  Both men were empty in the end, having poured out their souls for what could not satisfy.  Such is life, and such is even service unto God when our hearts are not pure before Him.  We must be willing to labour behind the scenes without recognition, grateful we have been chosen and divinely helped to serve Jesus Christ.  If we long for the applause and approval of men, even if we obtain all we desire we shall remain in want.

Unless our motive is for the glory of God alone, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes speaks the truth, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"  How praiseworthy is our God!  We do not need to "dress" Him up and make Him look presentable, for He is good, glorious, and awesome in power.  Holding onto the accolades and praises of men leaves us empty, but giving all honour to God fills us with joy and thanksgiving unto Him.  Praise the LORD!  By God's grace when we humble ourselves our best days are yet ahead!