The Gracious Grace of God

WHAT IS GRACE? - JOHN MACARTHER

What Is Grace?   -   John MacArthur

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Many years ago, Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined a term that has come to characterize much of evangelical Christianity — it's the term "cheap grace." Cheap grace is in reality a self-imparted grace, a pseudo-grace, and in the end the consequences of living by it are very, very costly.

Cheap grace is not at all a reference to God's grace; it's a contemptible counterfeit. It's a grace that is "cheap" in value, not cost. It is a bargain-basement, damaged-goods, washed-out, moth-eaten, second-hand grace. It is a man-made grace reminiscent of the indulgences Rome was peddling in Martin Luther's day. Cheap? The cost is actually far more than the buyer could possibly realize, though the "grace" is absolutely worthless.

Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and Nazi resister. He was hanged in 1945 by SS guards, but not before his writings had left their mark. Bonhoeffer's theological perspective was neo-orthodox, and evangelicalism rightly rejects much of his teaching. But Bonhoeffer spoke powerfully against the secularization of the church. He correctly analyzed the dangers of the church's frivolous attitude toward grace. After we discard the neo-orthodox teachings, we do well to pay heed to Bonhoeffer's diatribe against cheap grace:

Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, a principle, a system. It means forgiveness of sins proclaimed as a general truth, the love of God taught as the Christian "conception" of God. An intellectual assent to that idea is held to be of itself sufficient to secure the remission of sins. The Church which holds the correct doctrine of grace has, it is supposed, ipso facto a part in that grace. In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. "All for sin could not atone." The world goes on in the same old way, and we are still sinners "even in the best life" as Luther said. Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world's standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin (The Cost of Discipleship [New York: Collier, 1959], 45-46).

Cheap grace has not lost its worldly appeal since Bonhoeffer wrote those words. If anything, the tendency to cheapen grace has eaten its way into the heart of evangelical Christianity.

While verbally extolling the wonders of grace, it exchanges the real item for a facsimile. This bait-and-switch tactic has confounded many sincere Christians.

Many professing Christians today utterly ignore the biblical truth that grace "instruct[s] us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12). Instead, they live as if grace were a supernatural "Get Out of Jail FREE" ticket-a no-strings-attached, open-ended package of amnesty, beneficence, indulgence, forbearance, charity, leniency, immunity, approval, tolerance, and self-awarded privilege divorced from any moral demands.

Sadly, the rank-and-file Christian is further cemented in an unbiblical view of grace by what comes out of some seminaries. There are scholars who actually legitimize the error as a correct understanding of grace. They call their teaching "grace theology" and their movement "The Grace Movement."

They advocate a "grace" that alters a believer's standing without affecting his state. It is a grace that calls sinners to Christ but does not bid them surrender to Him. In fact, no-lordship theologians claim grace is diluted if the believing sinner must surrender to Christ. The more one actually surrenders, the more grace is supposedly watered down. This is clearly not the grace of Titus 2:11-12.

No wonder Christians are confused. Christian churches mirror the world; Christian leaders follow the culture; and Christian theologians provide their stamp of approval. The situation is nothing short of deplorable.

But here's what I propose — let's start by laying down a biblical definition of grace with this simple question:

  

What is grace?

Grace is a terribly misunderstood word. Defining it succinctly is notoriously difficult. Some of the most detailed theology textbooks do not offer any concise definition of the term. Someone has proposed an acronym: GRACE is God's Riches At Christ's Expense. That's not a bad way to characterize grace, but it is not a sufficient theological definition.

One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: God's unmerited favor. A. W. Tozer expanded on that: "Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits on the undeserving." Berkhof is more to the point: grace is "the unmerited operation of God in the heart of man, effected through the agency of the Holy Spirit."

Grace is not merely unmerited favor; it is favor bestowed on sinners who deserve wrath. Showing kindness to a stranger is "unmerited favor"; doing good to one's enemies is more the spirit of grace (Luke 6:27-36).

Grace is not a dormant or abstract quality, but a dynamic, active, working principle: "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…and instructing us" (Titus 2:11-12). It is not some kind of ethereal blessing that lies idle until we appropriate it. Grace is God's sovereign initiative to sinners (Ephesians 1:5-6).

Grace is not a one-time event in the Christian experience. We stand in grace (Romans 5:2). The entire Christian life is driven and empowered by grace: "It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods" (Hebrews 13:9). Peter said we should "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)

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Thus we could properly define grace as the free and benevolent influence of a holy God operating sovereignly in the lives of undeserving sinners.

Paul frequently contrasted grace with law (Romans 4:16; 5:20; 6:14-15; Galatians 2:21; 5:4). He was careful to state, however, that grace does not nullify the moral demands of God's law. Rather, it fulfills the righteousness of the law (Romans 6:14-15). It does not annul the righteous demands of the law; it confirms and validates them (Romans 3:31).

Grace has its own law, a higher, liberating law: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2; cf. James 1:25). Note that this new law emancipates us from sin as well as death. Paul was explicit about this: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). Grace reigns through righteousness (Romans 5:21).

That is the good news of the gospel! God has acted to set us free from sin — not just the consequences, but it's very power and presence. One day we will never know the experience of temptation, a stray thought, a misspoken word, a false motive. Guilt will be gone, and with it shame, and "so we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

In the meantime, we enjoy the liberation from sin's cruel power and defiling influence. God has enabled us, through grace, to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires" so that we can enjoy a sensible, righteous, and godly life in the present age (Titus 2:12). "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

Adapted from The Gospel According to the Apostles © 2000 by John MacArthur. All rights reserved.

THE GRACE OF SERVANTHOOD

How is grace a servant to you and me?  

Yes, in Matthew 20:26-28 the translation in the New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  

When the disciples asked who among them is the greatest? Every one of them wanted to be great and aspires to be one. The 12 disciples were in contention as to who is the greatest among them, what did Jesus tell them? The greatest of you shall be your servant. (Matt 20:26)

He who was the greatest became our servant, for the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus said to them, the greatest of all shall become your servant! Who is the greatest of all? It’s Jesus Himself.  He is the one by whom all things were created. He was the Word who was from the beginning now became in the flesh. He came to his own and his own could not recognize him but rejected him, nevertheless he is the greatest of all and he became the servant of all.

Jesus came to show us the Grace of Servanthood Grace came and served us that we do not deserve it. This is how grace becomes our servant. By cleansing us and washing us. Jesus was so full of grace and truth. He knew he had the possession of the fullness of heaven and yet he girded up his towel and washed the disciple’s feet.  Just imagine a Servant of all servants came from heaven to serve us and gave His life for us.  Just imagine what a privilege of grace we received from God above.  This grace is so gracious and great that it humbles himself and serves the lowly nature of humanity.

Let me share with you this,GRACE WILL HUMBLE YOU AS YOU SERVE OTHERS IN LOVE!

When you are dealing with difficult people it provides fresh opportunities to display humility.  When John Calvin was asked to define the Christian life he said three times that the Christian life was humility, humility, humility.

The Bible teaches that God exalts the humble.

  

Proverbs 3:34, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.”

James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 

1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,” When you love someone who annoys you, you are lowering your own estimation of yourself and exalting a brother or sister in the Lord.

The Grace of God serves you by cleansing you from all your sins. The Grace of God loves you by blessing you daily.  The greatest of all has become the servant of all. All are invited to come to the PERSON of grace to buy wine and milk without a price. Grace is your servant. Grace is Jesus personified. If you have seen him, you have seen God, the Father.

Such was the persuasion of Apostle Paul’s heart that wherever he went to share the good great gracious grace of God he proclaimed the grace of servant hood that is from God towards men. The gospel of Grace serves you with the life of God.  His gracious life is now your life!

Grace as a servant; a true servant hood, the greatest of all shall become the servant of all!

May the Lord bless you all graciously so that you will be able to humble yourself to let this Grace serve you greatly and abundantly!

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD (FATHERS DAY)

Our Text taken from Luke 15:11-32  vs. 19-21

So what do you think of when you hear the word “father” or daddy”?  Do you automatically think of protection, provision, warmth and tenderness?  Or does the word “father” paint a different pictures for you? 

David say tells us, “As a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”  Ps. 103:13  In Luke 11, Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven”. A few verses later Jesus tells us something about the heart of this Father that we are to pray to, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will He give him a snake instead?  Or if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the “Holy Spirit” to those who ask him!” – Lk. 11:11-13. 

Jesus personally came to show us the heart of the Father!  He knew that the Father’s character and heart has been misrepresented by bad fatherhood models on earth and bad theology.  So Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. I like the three words "how much more". How much more speaks to us a lot and it is God that loves us that much if He can give us the Holy Spirit surely He can gives us all things pertaining to this life. 


In fact the Father is just like Jesus. Apostle Philip had a father hunger in his heart and said, Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us. 

Jesus answered, “Don’t you now me Philip, even after a long time with you.  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.  (John 14:8-10)  Jesus main purpose coming to earth is to express and reveal the heart of the Father in heaven.

We see that the Prodical Son story was about the Love of our Father God – not our love for God!

Like the father running towards the prodigal son.  We see the FATHER’S Love and Grace is coming towards US.  And many times it is not we coming to God.  He came running towards us first. God took the first step. Every time we sin God took the first step. You see the son struggled his way back and the father saw him when he was far away. (Heavenly Father saw us far away)  All our efforts are in vain but God is the initiator - He saw – He cares – He loves and forgives and He provides and He restores us back.  This is what the Heavenly Father is all about.  We read in Luke, “how much more” God will give us everything in life to make us successful.  Amen!

The world would say “I deserve this” because he is my father, but God’s Kingdom says, “I don’t deserve all this.”  The Father saw him when he is far away.  Then He ran to him.  Jesus is trying to communicate to us what we called “crazy love” -   How much God loves us!  You know the whole Christian faith is a “response” to God’s love and grace.  We can’t do anything to achieve anything.  Our faith in God is to response to him.  The efforts of man, our ability and efforts are all useless unless it’s God.

Grace means the absolute goodness of God and only His GOODNESS, LOVE and GRACE is coming our way!  The Grace of God is running towards you and me today!  Received Him!

LOOKING TOWARDS GRACE

The Security and Protection of the Righteous

Our Text is taken from Psalms 91:1 to 8.  This Psalm has many powerful promises of God’s Word. These are not encouraging words only but for us to live in it and experience it daily. For we are living in the end times of hardships and troubled times. So God’s Words is our hope of Salvation.

Psalms 91:1 stated with “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”   The word “Almighty” is Elohim which mean the all Powerful One, the Supreme Being on this Universe.
Notice the word “shelter” and “shadow”.  These two words are powerful words too.  As Christian we need a shelter and we need someone to take care and keep a watch on us daily.  A shelter also provides us with comfort, food and love.  We all need that.  A shelter also protects us. 
A shadow tell us that someone near is with us.  When we know that great big God is with us – we are secured and comforted.  He never fail us and forsake us.  A shadow tell us that he never leave us just like our shadow.

There are also many promises in Psalms 91.  Firstly in verse 2 it says, “I will say of the Lord”.  It is important to say or confess to the Lord our Righteousness and what we have received from Him.  This will make our faith grow strong.  And the more we confess the more we possess and activate our faith. We just agree with God.  We confess to our salvation that includes peace, prosperity, riches, wisdom and many more.  What shall we confess here?

In verse 2 “He is My Refuge, My Fortress, My God in whom I trust” that is your confession.

1.    We confess in verse 3 “surely God will deliver us from the snare of the trapper" (devil).  The devil cannot set enough traps that God cannot deliver you from his hand.  God is your refuge and God is your fortress.  He is my God and I will trust in Him.  We need to confess that daily.

2.    Secondly, we confess verse 3 again, “surely He will deliver me/us from the deadly pestilence.”  What is a pestilence?  It covers all kinds of diseases that come to destroy us.  If you are sick, lay claim from this promises for your healing.  You are the Righteousness of God.  Jesus, you are My Righteousness and Healer.  God will be my shield and buckler.  Sickness shall not come near me. In verse 4 says, “His truth shall be a buckle and a shield” His Truth is a shield of faith to me.

3.    Thirdly, in verse 5, it says “you will not be afraid for the terror by night and the arrow that flies by day” What is this means?  It represents your business failure, kidnapping, murder, robberies, bad thoughts, worries and fears that fly by day to you and hinder your faith. You shall not be afraid.  Bad dreams and thoughts coming upon you at night making fearful in the morning.  Then taking this promise “You shall not be afraid” Why? Because you can confess verse 7 that says, “A thousand may fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand but it shall not come near me. Verse 8 “Only with my eyes shall I look and see the reward of the wicked.”

4.    Fourthly, verse 10 we confess, “There shall no evil befall us and neither shall any plague come near our household.” This Psalms is not only for comfort but for deliverance also.  The conditions are verse 14 it says, “because he (your name) cleaves to Me (God of Elohim, Almighty, all breasted One who supply your needs and the Lord Your righteousness and Grace, etc)  in love, I will deliver him.  I will protect him because he knows My name. (Shalom, Tsidkenu, Shammah, Adonai, Rophi and many others) including Jesus Names above every names. So verse 15 declares “When he calls to me I will answer him.  I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and honor him.  His six “I Will” promises and adding to verse 16 “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”  Wow!  How can I believe all this! Yes, only by faith and faith righteousness speaks His Words of Salvation that includes healing, wisdom, power, revelation, riches of His Word.

We want you to know that we are living in these last days, and people hearts are perplexed and fearful of the changes and the failing economy.  They “wander and there is no way out” and God promises for this Psalms 91 is for us today! Your Righteousness at the right hand of God Jesus is on your side. He is your Refuge, Your Fortress and Your God whom you will trust and nothing else.  Amen and Amen!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (including all the above promises - His Security and Protection, Salvation, and many more blessings)

KINGDOM RIGHTEOUSNESS

SPEAK AND DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Our text  is taken from Psalms 71:15-24.   

Notice the verses in
v. 15 – “tell of Your Righteousness”
v. 16 – “make mention of Your righteousness”
v. 19 – “declare Your Righteousness is very high
v. 24 – “talk of Your Righteousness” all day long

These verses speak and declare of Christ Righteousness. The Psalms are prophetic as the saints will talk of His Righteousness all day long. The following verse 24 says the enemies are confounded (confused) or defeated and brought to shame.  Those speaking against us and seek our hurt.  We continue to speak righteousness and practice righteousness.  When we share righteousness our enemies are defeated.  So I believe righteousness is a mighty weapon.  God’s righteousness (Christ) is very high and we are able to reign in life.  God will help solved our problems how great and severe it is.  He shall revive us and restore us again.  God shall increase our greatness.  We need blessings, honor, riches, anointing wisdom and many more through His righteousness.  God will comfort us on every side.

And in verses 22 to 24 says David response by “I will sing and rejoice and declare Your righteousness daily” My tongue shall talk of Christ righteousness all day long. In the Old Testament it is a shadow of things to come and David talks and declares God’s Righteousness.  In the New Testament the real person is here.  Paul preaches and declares Christ Righteousness against righteousness by works.

For God has in Romans 4:6 imputes righteousness apart from works” to those who believe Jesus. In the New Covenant there is an imputation.  The word “impute” in Greek “logizomai” means to put down to a person’s account.  God puts into our account or implanted the seed of righteousness. We are receiving His Righteous Seed into our DNA. You become righteous without your righteous deeds as Jesus became sinful without His sinful deeds.  - 2 Cor. 5:21  Are you righteous?   Yes or No!
What is righteousness?  Righteousness is right standing with God. Righteousness is the ability to stand in the presence of God without condemnation, guilt, or shame.

The Power to Righteousness
The key to the fruitful Christian life is the power of righteousness. To “be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

 “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
It is not enough to be delivered from sin; it is enough to be delivered to righteousness. - Edwin Louis Cole    “If I must choose between peace and righteousness, I choose righteousness” -   Theodore Roosevelt quotes.

The Blessings of Righteousness
BLESSINGS CROWN THE HEAD OF THE RIGHTEOUS – Prov. 10:6
THE MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS BLESSED Prov. 10:22
Prov. 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” 
Prov. 10:21 “The lips of the righteous nourish many.”
Prov. 13:21 “You shall prosper”
Prov. 15:6 “It brings wealth to you”

What will Righteousness do for you?
(1) Prayer – 1 Peter 3:12, Prov. 10:24 ;  (2) Security – Matthew 6:31-33; (3) Stability – Isaiah 54:11-14 ;  (4) Deliverance from trouble – Prov. 11:8; (5) Wealth – Prov. 15:6 ; (6) Grace – Prov. 14:9; Psa. 5:12;
(7) Generous – Prov. 21:26 ; (8) Joy – Prov. 29:6; (9) Reigning in life – Rom 5:17 ; (10) Boldness – Prov. 28:1; (11) Weapon – Eph. 6:14; Isa. 54:16, ; (12) Breaking off sins – Dan. 4:27; (13) Fountain of life – Prov. 10:11, 10:16