DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF JESUS . “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21) . The grace of God can be frustrated or held in vain. If the law of Moses could give someone righteousness, then the death of Jesus Christ is entirely useless. Therefore, the reason we have new testament in replacement of the old covenant is because the old covenant has fault in it and could not suffice in the righteousness of God. This is why I frown so much at those who are zealous for what is written in the law and traditions of Moses, without behold the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Why then did Jesus have to die for you, if the touch nots, taste nots and handle nots of the laws of Moses could give you salvation. For this reason, we walk by faith, and not by the law. As it is written, “For if those who are of the law be heirs, faith is made useless, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law works wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:14-16). Again as it is written, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). Again it is written, “Christ is become of no effect to you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:4-5) . Therefore, one of the things that frustrates the grace of God and the death of Jesus is legalism or adhering to the law of Moses for righteousness. When you look more at what is written in the law of Moses that what is written in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you frustrate the grace of God. Actually, the gospel of Jesus Christ is also known as the grace of Jesus Christ> As it is written, “I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7) . However, it is not only by adhering to the letters of the law that one frustrates the grace of God, but by by trusting in another help apart from the help of God in Christ and also by going back to sin after receiving the knowledge of truth. 1. One frustrates the grace of God or takes the grace in vain by trusting in another help apart from the help from God through Christ. Grace means help of God through Jesus Christ – Grace is Help. If you can help yourself, the help of God is useless. Do not join those who say that heaven helps those who help themselves. If you can help yourself, the grace of God is useless. Therefore, the death of Christ (grace) came when we were without strength in due time (Romans 5:6). Therefore as the ministers of God, we allow the grace of God to help us while we glory or boast in our weakness and suffering for the love of Christ; for when we are weak, the strength of Christ is made perfect in us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). As it is written, “We then, as workers together with Jesus, beseech you also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain. (For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-10) 2. One also frustrates the grace of God by turning back to sin after he or she has known the truth. Knowledge of truth is grace to whoever has it, because it takes grace to know the truth while others were made to believe in lies that appears truth to them. Therefore, you that have both the grace and the Spirit of God, becareful not to fall into sin again after receiving the truth. As it is written, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31) . This reminds us that our God of grace is also a consuming fire. This is the reason we need grace to serve and fear this kind of fire now that we do not see the fire. Therefore, grace is not just what you get from God, but what you need to serve God acceptably. As it is written, Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29). . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. . Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How can we that are dead to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2). Some who live in sin are asking for more grace, but grace is not for those who live in sin but for those who are dead in sin. There is difference between living in sin and dead in sin. Those who live in sin are frustrating the grace of God by continuing in sin; but those who are dead in sin shall know the grace of God if they believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written, Even when we were dead in sins, He quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) (Ephesians 2:5). .. THE GRACE OF JESUS BE IN YOU FOREVER.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 07:28:16 +0000
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