Sunday, September 13, 2015

Grace

Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

As humans we make really bad choices. Often we think that choice will get us something we want that we don't have. What we seldom realize is that what we do have is often already better, and making that wrong choice can only hurt us and cause ripple effects that hurt others as well. Adam and Eve are an obvious example of this. There are so many others (only every human who has ever lived!) Just to mention a few: Abraham lied and said his wife was only his sister out of fear of death. He allowed her to be taken by a pagan man...twice! God intervened and went on to make Abraham the father of two large nations. Moses, murdered a man, argued with God at his mission, took matters into his own hands in the face of a whinny, obstinate people; yet God used him to deliver a nation from bondage, gave him the Law, allowed him to SEE God's back and live! David committed adultery and then murder, yet God called this king, a man after His heart! Solomon had around 1000 women in his life, yet God allowed him to build His temple. Peter denied Christ, yet God built his Church through this man. Paul very aggressively persecuted Christians, yet God revealed Himself to him and called him to missionary work and authored 13 books in the Bible through him.  
These are just big examples. The Bible, history, and the world are FULL of men and women who chose to dishonor God and sin. However, when God, in His infinite mercy and grace, revealed Himself to them and extended his UNDESERVED forgiveness, these men and women went on to be heroes of the faith and giants in history! 

Psalm 40:2-3 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;Many will see and fearAnd will trust in the Lord. 

Galatians 2:19-20 For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 

Ephesians 5:1-21 Ephesians 2:8-10 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,“Awake, sleeper,And arise from the dead,And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. 

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 

As a SINNER, amazingly saved by grave, CALLED to a higher purpose; I pray that I show grace, that I be light. 'God help me REMEMBER who I was without You! Help me see those around me who are still suffering lostness in the miry clay! Use me as an instrument of light to help pull them out into Your glorious light and life!'