February 20, 2012 at 9:36am
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence may abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:19-21 (KJV)
Theologically, one definition of grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. I ask, “Is there anything better?” In the Garden of Eden, through Adam, we all became born into sin. Many centuries later, God loved us so much, and had so much mercy and compassion for His creation, that He sent His son, Jesus, to be the propitiation, rather the reconciliation of our sins. When he bore the cross, he also bore each and every one of our sins along with it. He knew aforetime, that through our flesh we would make errors in judgment, that we’d succumb to temptation, and at times, we’d fall. Consider when He told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” – Jeremiah 1:5a. We’re discussing an omnipotent, omniscient, rather an all-powerful, all- knowing God. We were warned that these trying times would come, and to count it all joy when we fall into various temptations. Naturally sounding like a strange thing to do, James goes on to let us know that the reason why is that the trying of our faith, will strengthen our patience. (James 1:2-3)
But that’s just the thing about the natural... The father wants us to operate in the supernatural, in the spirit. After all, we’re spiritual beings, having a natural experience. Therefore naturally, forgiveness comes into play, and being children of the Most High, we must learn to forgive with grace, just as the Father forgives us. So when we fall into sin, not willfully choosing to, when friends and family won’t forgive us, and when we feel that we’re too weak to stand, and have fallen short, remember the words of Paul, “And llhe said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV) Count it all joy, God’s grace is sufficient for all.
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Theologically, one definition of grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. I ask, “Is there anything better?” In the Garden of Eden, through Adam, we all became born into sin. Many centuries later, God loved us so much, and had so much mercy and compassion for His creation, that He sent His son, Jesus, to be the propitiation, rather the reconciliation of our sins. When he bore the cross, he also bore each and every one of our sins along with it. He knew aforetime, that through our flesh we would make errors in judgment, that we’d succumb to temptation, and at times, we’d fall. Consider when He told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” – Jeremiah 1:5a. We’re discussing an omnipotent, omniscient, rather an all-powerful, all- knowing God. We were warned that these trying times would come, and to count it all joy when we fall into various temptations. Naturally sounding like a strange thing to do, James goes on to let us know that the reason why is that the trying of our faith, will strengthen our patience. (James 1:2-3)
But that’s just the thing about the natural... The father wants us to operate in the supernatural, in the spirit. After all, we’re spiritual beings, having a natural experience. Therefore naturally, forgiveness comes into play, and being children of the Most High, we must learn to forgive with grace, just as the Father forgives us. So when we fall into sin, not willfully choosing to, when friends and family won’t forgive us, and when we feel that we’re too weak to stand, and have fallen short, remember the words of Paul, “And llhe said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV) Count it all joy, God’s grace is sufficient for all.
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