The Forgotten Side of Grace

I think that's a valid point that people miss about obeying God is that it's not through any effort of our own. If it were would could boast about ourselves and probably wouldn't need a savior.

Too many people think you have to clean yourself up and then get saved. Just the opposite is true, you get saved and Jesus cleans you up.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
~Ephesians 5:25-27

It's what Jesus was trying to demonstrate when He cleaned the apostles feet, that he does the clean up, and our only obligation/work to do is this:

John 6:28-29.
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

It's faith that empowers us to obedience, looking to Jesus' having faith in Jesus' righteousness and not our own, for we have none without Him. It's trusting that we are incapable of keeping the law with all it's ordinances and in fact have already failed and are condemned to death, so we look to Jesus who kept those ordinances for us and put our faith in his work in keeping them, and not our own.

Some might say, "Because of God's grace, I may do as I please!" The question then must be, "If you know God's grace, how could anything other than His perfect will please you?"

At times I find myself departing from that and momentarily feeling some sense of satisfaction from pride, anger, or a number of deeds of the flesh. It only lasts a short while, though, until I snap back to my senses and realize I have accomplished nothing of value. Instead, I know I have done damage that will stain my conscience until I take it to the cross for relief.

Thank God there is grace available in such great supply!

Yes, this is the grace I can get behind. When we're saved by grace, grace continues to work in our lives to conform us into the image of Christ. Grace allows us to obey Him and to be like Him. I think every Christian on these forums would raise their brow at any Christian who would intentionally misuse their gift of grace to go out and live a life of sin.

Perhaps this is the idea some folks who've gotten hot under the collar on this subject are trying to convey. God's grace gives us the strength to do the good works, but the fact remains that the works alone do not save us - grace does. However, it also gives us the ability AND the desire to both please Him and be like Him.

~~Becka

Needle Me,

Be sure to look me up in the heavenly directory when we all get home! That goes for everyone else, too.

I was just thinking of the difference between how I am online as to how I am when I'm off the computer. I don't mean in terms of beliefs or Christian devotion, of course. I just mean that I am rather quiet and reserved unless I get to know someone really well. I am not the "life of the party," by any means and often go for hours without saying much. Some people "get" my half-serious jokes and others just sort of stare. Maybe they're not sure if I want them to laugh or not, as I often have a deadpan expression.

I find I'm at my best when I listen to what others have to say before speaking, which is why I love all of you so much.

Blessings to you as well!

David

FW, you hit the nail on the head. I spent years "figuring" things out, ashamed to ask questions. Sometimes the enemy will play tricks with young converts minds to keep them from getting the answers they name via accusing them of being inept and making them afraid to ask questions, for fear of being reprimanded for "not knowing" automatically. That is one way. Also, the not explaining the difference in the logos and rhema word of God. For years I read and learned under teaching from other seasoned Christians, but things really didn't "take off" for me until I was taught by the Holy Spirit. Not sure how one would teach that, but so many "Christians" are walking around without a CLUE about the Holy Spirits involvement in their lives. I see it as a HUGE problem in the body of Christ.

Amazing, me and DH were talking about this VERY topic over coffee this morning (and he isn't a believer!)

Watching and Waiting, no one told me either. When the Holy Spirit came in and began to work, I suddenly began to SEE that there were sins in my life I didn't even KNOW were sinful. NO ONE told me anything. It has been His work in me from day one.

Keith Green tried to convict us. He did over emphasize good works and did not himself understand grace until soon before his death.
I remember always feeling SO condemned.
God showed me that our hearts are like the Land of Israel: GOD conquers it, little by little, acre by acre. He conquers just enough for us to "hold firm" territory conquered to keep the giants out of. I learned this over the years. Keith taught us that ALL must be surrendered or you were lukewarm. I remember I walked away from God because of it because I could never meet this standard. I thought something was seriously wrong with me, just like the Catholic Church taught me.
Jesus Himself found me and called me back to Himself by His grace and love, not by how good MY works were.
I now pray daily to have MORE of the fear of God and conviction by the Holy Spirit because I KNOW His grace will bring me into His standard of righteousness.

Amen!

After reading the topic this song popped in to my mind

Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound
Amazing LOVE now flowing down
From hands and feet, that were nailed to the tree
Grace flows down and covers Me...