HINDRANCES TO THE GRACE OF GOD   

You can stop the Grace of God.  We’ve already seen in God’s Word, the grace of God is received by faith. (Rom. 5:2)  Therefore, if you’re trying to receive grace by anything other than faith, it can have a hindering effect.  Anything you do to receive the grace of God can prevent God’s grace from flowing in your life.  Let’s look at some things that may stop the grace of God from coming to you.

1)   THROUGH WORKS OF THE FLESH – Gal. 3:1,2  

When we trust in our flesh and our own resources, we short-circuit our blessing, rendering His grace meaningless in our lives.  Striving in our fleshly strength to receive God’s grace will not work.

Rom. 11:5,6 AMP “So too at the present time there is a remnant (a small believing minority), selected (chosen) by grace. But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done.  Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace (it would be meaningless)”.

Gal. 2:20,21 – "Yet not I, but Christ (grace) liveth in me, now I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me.  I do not frustrate the grace of God". Focus on Grace and it will produce good works. But good works cannot produce grace.  Faith without good works is dead. Faith in His grace works.

Col. 1:29 – Paul said I also labour, striving according to his workings which worketh in me mightily.  Paul said, “I work hard by the grace of God.” Paul wasn’t working in the flesh, by his own strength and ability.  He is taping into God’s ability and strength.

Taping into the Limitless Grace of God.

  2 Cor. 6:1 “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.” Work through His Grace.

2)   THROUGH THE LAW

God’s grace is amazing, abundance. God grace is abounding towards us. God’s grace is unstoppable towards us who believe. God is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond what we think or pray. (We can limit God in prayer)

Through the Law we fall away from grace.

FALL AWAY FROM GRACE  - Galatians 5:4; 6-9

  What is “fallen away from grace” means?  Today, we say “fallen from grace” is sin. Brother So and so has fallen from grace (sin).  The bible says fallen from grace is connected to “self-righteousness. Those self-righteous have “fallen from grace”  J.B. Williams – trying to justify from the law and put yourself or cut yourself off from Christ.

Goodspeed translations: Are you walking in God’s favor or your own effort?  How do we know we are under grace or under law?  Whenever you look to yourself to solve your sin, habits you’re under law.

What is law?  God’s Law is this “if you do this I will do this”; If you don’t do that I wouldn’t do that! If you do that is right I bless you.  If you do wrong I blow you apart.

It is different than Christianity.  Law is conditional; but grace is unconditional.    Law always contrast with faith. You can’t mix them. Just as oil and water.  Faith and Law never mixed. Spirit against the Flesh, grace against works.  The negative group: Law activates flesh and manifest works.  But the positive group: is faith activate the Spirit and manifest the Grace of God in our lives and works gracefully in the Spirit.

3)   Thirdly, We fall away THROUGH PERVERSION SPIRIT. - Jude 4

v.8 “filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. (any authorities)

  v. 9  “ railing accusations” - which Michael the archangel dare not do it.

  v.11  “ the way of Cain and the error of Balaam

  v.12  “fruitlessness”

  v.13  “shameless and wandering stars reserved for darkness”

  v.14  “ungodly sinners have spoken against God”

 v.16  “murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lust, pride

  v.18   “mockers in the last time, ungodly lust”

  v.19  “they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” but have another spirit. 

I Tim. 4:1 – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, (no faith no grace) giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

Conclusion: Grace is not a doctrine to study it is a gospel of good news.  Grace is about the person of Jesus Christ. Without grace you can’t be a Christian and walk to please God daily.  Without faith it is impossible to please God. With faith then grace will manifest through his Holy Spirit in us to become more like Jesus. Grace will change us not bless us only. Grace will transformed us and our churches will be transformed and our cities too.  Jesus is full of GRACE IN YOU!