Tags
1 Corinthians 3:10-16, By Grace Through Faith, By HIS Grace--Each Day, Colossians 1:25-27, Faithful God, Galatians 2:20-21, God's Grace, Hebrews 4:14-16, John 15:1-5, Living By Grace, Philippians 4:11-13, Revelation 19:6, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 3:20-26, Romans 5:1-2, Who's On THE Throne?
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 24. By HIS Grace—Each Day???
“Therefore by the deeds of the law
there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight:
for by the law
is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God
without the law is manifested,
being witnessed
by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God
which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all
and upon all
them that believe:
for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely
by his grace
through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth
to be a propitiation
through faith in his blood,
to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say,
at this time his righteousness:
that he might be just,
and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:20-26
It’s God’s grace that saved me, and it’s God’s grace that keeps me and is ever at work in me and by His sovereign grace, He can be seen in me, through all I say and do, as I yield myself to His Holy Spirit and power within me! Being a living sacrifice, as Paul describes to the Roman and the Galatian believers as well. All because it is Christ IN me!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy,
acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed
to this world:
but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove
what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say,
through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt
to every man
the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3
The key is remembering that it’s all about “Who” is living in me—or, if you would, who is sitting on the throne of my life? Me or Jesus? I must die to self and live to Jesus by the grace that HE imparts to HIS own for every-day victory!!!
“I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live
in the flesh
I live by the faith
of the Son of God,
who loved me,
and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:
for if righteousness come by the law,
then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21
God’s ministry of grace in us—to minister to others!
“Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me for you,
to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery
which hath been hid from ages
and from generations,
but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:25-27
All by HIS grace—unmerited favor–bought by the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”! (See 1 John 1:7)
“Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access
by faith
into this grace
wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope
of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
It is all about Jesus—and I’m so glad! For as Paul said so aptly, “no good thing” dwelleth in me! It has to be all about HIM, even Jesus made this very clear.
“I am the true vine,
and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me
that beareth not fruit
he taketh away:
and every branch that beareth fruit,
he purgeth it,
that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean
through the word which I have spoken
unto you.
4 Abide in me,
and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit
of itself,
except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye,
except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine,
ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me,
and I in him,
the same bringeth forth
much fruit:
for without me
ye can do nothing.” John 5:1-5
So, the question for each of us is, are we abiding in “the vine” and therefore able to “bring forth more fruit” or are we trying to bear our own fruit? The choice is yours, but Jesus said plainly that “without me ye can do nothing”! And Paul describes this issue in 1 Corinthians 3—are we working with our own resources or God’s? The test is by fire—are you working in “wood, hay and stubble” or “gold, silver and precious stones”! The fire will reveal our real work! It has to be ALL “of HIM…through HIM…and to HIM”!
“According to the grace of God
which is given unto me,
as a wise masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed
how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold,
silver,
precious stones,
wood,
hay,
stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man’s work
of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide
which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss:
but he himself shall be saved;
yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:10-16
It all depends on the foundation—Jesus! Am I abiding IN HIM, relying ON HIM, and using HIS supply? Or am I settling for less—and what the world offers is always LESS? The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test. We can be found faithful as we continue to abide IN HIM!
“Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased,
and I know how to abound:
every where
and in all things
I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry,
both to abound
and to suffer need.”
HOW? Only one way!
“13 I can do all things
through Christ
which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13
And to put all of these things in perspective, I’d like to remind each of us of Jesus’ instruction for our prayer life—while I am free to come to God with all my requests, burdens, troubles and trials, I am not free to dictate to God in the name of “faith”; I can trust God to do right no matter what is going on! And I do! How about you? We can hold on to the assurance that OUR GOD reigns, and HE invites us to come to HIM in all things.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted
like as we are,
yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help
in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Let’s stay before HIS throne in humble gratitude for the grace that supplies our every need if we will but cling to HIS cross.
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father
which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth,
as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
May God bless you as you seek HIS face in confidence and total reliance upon HIM, shouting: (See Revelation 19:6)
“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!
We win!!! Amen and Amen!!!