Tag Archives: grace

Christian

Changes In Attitude

Or Works vs. Grace

Many have taught that salvation is by grace and not works. This is true. Salvation is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV says For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

But does this belittle works and what exactly are works? Could it cause some people to give up and not even try to please the Lord?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV says Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Is duty work? It doesn’t have to be. Attitude matters.

Mark Twain once said “Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” Citation

Is it work to not kill? Is it work to not lie, steal, or cheat on your spouse? I think the answer to all of these questions should be no. Character and morals may take years to cultivate, but Jesus told us his yoke was easy and he did not lie. What you once found hard, may become second nature with observance and the Lord’s help.

In the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom is obligated to paint a fence. He turns the situation around by making it appear to be fun rather than work and soon has a handful of boys doing the work for him and even paying him for the opportunity. Young Tom, or at least Mark Twain, understood attitude and ways to affect it.

Just because God provided grace for salvation, oft times defined as undeserved favor, or because even our righteousnesses may appear as filthy rags before the Lord does not mean good works have no value.

On the contrary they are of much value before the Lord and they are of much value upon whom they are bestowed.

I believe God has in store heavenly rewards for our good works. Revelation 22:12. And if you accomplish many good works in your life and don’t even account it work but rather a pleasure, how much greater any later reward for earned favor.

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Christian, Inspirational

So Close And Yet

Have you ever heard a sermon where you thought to yourself they just missed it. Many grace preachers fall into this zone. They offer truth, just not all of it.

I heard a sermon about a week ago. It was another legalism basher. And here’s the thing, while it might be okay to disregard man’s rules and regulations, it’s not okay to disregard God’s. (Often though, I think you will find its wise to follow even man’s rules and regulations. Following the speed limit and paying taxes are wise if you don’t want to face a penalty.)

So after telling us how we are free of the law, the pastor ended the sermon telling us how we are given a new spirit. In fact the preacher mentioned several times how God would give us a new spirit. Each time I finished the truth in my head that he could not or would not mention because it contradicted his premise that legalism was a bad thing.

Hebrews 8:10-11 KJV
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

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Christian, Inspirational

Trophy of Grace

I recently started listening to a Christian radio station called wayfm. A few weeks ago, the DJ gave a short sermon on being a trophy of grace versus being a leader of moral righteousness. He maintained he was not an example of righteousness, but only a trophy of grace.

His error. These aren’t antonyms they are synonyms. To be a trophy of grace, to be saved, you must of necessity be righteous.

What does the Bible say: 1 John 3:6-8 KJV Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

To be a trophy of grace we must have a part in God. To have that part we must not sin. Not sinning makes us an example of righteousness.

Luke 21:36 KJV
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man.

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Christian, Inspirational

With One Excuse

I’m not a judge and I don’t play one on TV, but I imagine the excuses for not following the law range from far-fetched to hilarious.

There’s nothing funny about not following the laws of God. Yet so many of us make excuse.

It was the law of Moses, the Ten Commandments don’t apply today.

It was written to the Church at Corinth and only applied to them.

It was written only to the church back then.

You didn’t say it twice.

I thought it was just a suggestion.

We’re under grace, we don’t have to keep the law.

All our sins are already forgiven, so why does it matter.

It’s just a little sin.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Matthew 7:24 KJV
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

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Christian, Inspirational

Duty vs. Works

Many preachers today preach grace and unconditional love over works. The problem is that they often equate following God’s commandments with works. What does the Bible say:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Luke 17:10 KJV
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Remember Jesus said in John 14:15 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Christian, Inspirational

Filthy Rags

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

This verse is used by some to discourage self effort in living righteously.

I tell you a truth.

God might have a use for your filthy rags.

There is a song, Must I go and empty handed. Must I go and empty handed, thus my redeemed meet? Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at his feet.

Don’t let anyone, especially a so called preacher of the Word talk you out of trying to do right and having good works.

Notice in Acts 10:4 KJV how Cornelius is rewarded with an angelic visit that eventually saves his house, … What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Many have defined Grace as unmerited favor. Remember God can and does reward based on merit as well.

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Christian, Inspirational

Law and Love Combining

There are those that preach Grace and there are those that preach the Law, but there are few that grasp the Truth as well as Owens and Lorenz in the hymn Give Me the Bible.

Precept and Promise, Law and Love Combining!

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

How can we depart from iniquity without knowledge of the law.

Give me the Bible, Holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

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