Bible Ballistics: BBs #444 God’s Grace In God’s Own???
We talked last time about the grace of God that offers salvation to those who will come to Jesus; grace that saves, transforms, and supplies all we need for living. God knows His own and we can know Him, and grow in grace and intimacy as we feast on His Word. Then we are enabled and equipped to be a reflection of HIS glory, grace and love to a world in desperate need. But remember our message won’t always be welcomed, but we are to respond with the grace and dignity of the Spirit of Jesus that dwells within us!
“Walk in wisdom
toward them that are without,
redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be
alway with grace,
seasoned with salt,
that ye may know
how ye ought to answer
every man.” Colossians 4:5-6
Words and actions that are “seasoned with salt”; and salt makes things palatable! But don’t miss “seasoned”—not brined, but “seasoned”. We are to be a preserving agent—preserving the good and godly things and drawing people to the “Good Shepherd”, not drowning them in brine! YUK! Our life and our words should express “wisdom”, as we are “redeeming the time” by God’s grace; and when we are walking in His ways, He will help us to “know how ye ought to answer” anyone who asks. Peter says the same thing in a different way.
“But sanctify the Lord God
in your hearts:
and be ready
always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope
that is in you
with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience;
that, whereas they speak evil of you,
as of evildoers,
they may be ashamed
that falsely accuse
your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
And to give an answer we must know the answer—JESUS—who gives us all we need to succeed in our walk with HIM!
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you
through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power
hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto life
and godliness,
through the knowledge
of him that hath called us
to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great
and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers
of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption
that is in the world
through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4
He has given us to all we need do HIS work—right where you are! Remember God knows who you are, and where you are—He hasn’t said “oops”! So let’s pursue the things of God so that the world will see Jesus in us—God’s grace lived out day by day as we walk through this world of darkness and corruption. We are to be spreading the grace of God everywhere we go, leaving the harvest to the Father! He knows those who are His, and He is at work in us!
“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.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Even as Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them,
and they follow me:” John 10:27
And if you don’t know Jesus, my friend, you can. If you hear His voice speaking to your heart, simply recognize that you have sinned—and can’t fix it; that Jesus died for that very sin—and He will fix it; repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took your place), atoning (He paid the penalty for your sin with His own blood), sacrifice (He paid the debt He didn’t owe, so we could have life that we didn’t deserve)! That my friend IS God’s grace. Amen and Amen!
“Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice,
and open the door,
I will come in to him,
and will sup with him,
and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Bible Ballistics 