Some think Grace means justifying sin, resting from doing good deeds or they are saying we are no longer workers together with Him. (2 Cor. 6:1) On the contrary, relying on God's Grace is resting in the finished work of Christ. This means that we are at rest from working to try and earn what has been freely given. Our focus is on His accomplishments for us and His work through us, which removes us from any equation that would exalt anything that we do or that we could boast about because that only leads to the thing God hates, pride! Let our boasting be in the Lord and in nothing we do! Hopefully we will do our works in secret, and rest in the promise that God will reward us in secret. Resting from works doesn't mean that we do nothing for the Lord, it just means that the Spirit of God moves you where He wishes, to do with you what He pleases. John 3:8 says, "The wind blows where it wants, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. We are not our own. He Who began a good work in us will complete His work until the Day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6) Haven't you ever wondered why God is choosing to use you when you just had it out with someone?
When we are resting in His accomplishments, resting in His unconditional Love, we HAVE THANKFUL HEARTS & peace that surpasses all understanding. Then we are free to give as we have received. We cannot give away what we haven't received ourselves. I believe that many born again believers refrain from spending time with Him in the Word because of the fear of condemnation. They open the word and see the law and when we relate to God through the OT law, we will always fall short and feel guilt and rejection! When anyone owes another a debt (that they cannot possibly pay), they TEND TO AVOID that person, they do not draw closer to them. Adam's guilt caused him to hide from God even though, He still searched for Adam. Adam did not come boldly to God, but withdrew and tried to cover his sin. That is why the overpayment of Grace (JESUS' FINISHED WORK) sets us free from serving through dead works to serve the Living God, in the newness of Life, not in the oldness of the letter. When we see God through Grace, we see that He isn't giving us what we deserve, He is giving us everything that the Risen Christ deserves, because we are joint heirs, sons and daughters of the Most High God! We are kings of the King and lords of the Lord. Jesus said, a new command I give unto you, that you love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. My obedience isn't to the old covenant law that brought a curse, strengthened sin, and is referred to as the ministry of death. My obedience is to Christ' Royal Law of Love & Liberty (see James 2:8-12), and a Faith that pleases Him.( Heb 11:3-6) Christ has freed me from serving the written code (law) to serve in the newness of life, in a love relationship without fear or condemnation with my Abba Father. Knowing His Love for me & having a daily awareness of His eternal redemption, causes me to rest and I naturally am the clay in the Potters hands! Obedience is a fruit of knowing Him, not the root of knowing Him. Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
In His Word, we see Christ was pleased with Mary the sister of Martha. (Lk 10:38-42) God called Mary's rest from works, the good part! Seated at Jesus' feet EQUIPPED Mary for the work of the ministry. It did not equip her to rise up and join her sister. God is the Author, Perfector and Finisher of our faith. He began the work in us and I am trusting that He will COMPLETE what He started in me. No man can pluck me from His hand and He is the One who is transforming me from faith to faith and glory to glory. Faith only comes by hearing the Word of God, and for the past 5 years, that has been where my heart is. I needed to stop being a Martha and rest in being a Mary. I was always trying to please God through works instead of faith. I was always thinking I wasn't reading the Word enough, praying long enough, and always thinking that God was displeased with my performance. My focus was always me, me, me! I cannot explain how ceasing from even a Christian works based walk has freed me to Love others and opened more doors of opportunity to share Christ. I no longer strive to earn His blessings, because according to His Word, I am blessed! (Eph. 1:3, 2 Pet. 1:3)
GRACE IS FREEDOM FROM SIN, NOT FREEDOM TO SIN.....anyone who takes advantage of grace and strives toward sin has neither seen Him nor known Him. They need true salvation.
2 Cor. 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Romans 4:4-5 - "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt."
James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Rom. 6:2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
1 John 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And BY THIS WE KNOW that He abides in us, BY THE Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 4:15-16 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
2 Pet.1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.
Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Heb. 4:9-10 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Heb. 10:12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God
Heb. 11:6 But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Cor. 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
Gal 5:1-4 says: Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Messiah (Christ) has made us free, and do not be entangled AGAIN with a yoke of bondage.
Indeed I, Sha'ul (Paul), say to you that IF YOU BECOME CIRCUMCISED(back under law), Messiah (Jesus) will profit you nothing.
and I TESTIFY AGAIN to every man WHO BECOMES CIRCUMCISED (law minded) that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
You who have become estranged from Messiah (Jesus), you who seek to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
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