“Grace Works!” Part 4

    "There are two religions in the world, grace and works.  But only grace works!"

   

    The grace that enables born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to trust and obey God is the same grace that provides a powerful restorative when we fail to do so.

    "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanest us from all sin" (I John 1:7).

    Unbelief and disobedience result from failure to walk in the light of God's grace and truth in the Lord Jesus.  Restoration occurs when we return to the light, reestablishing fellowship with our Heavenly Father as the Holy Spirit applies the power of Christ's atoning work of grace to our conscience.  "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).  Our Savior died not only to bring us to God, but to keep us with Him.  While never inevitable or excusable, sin happens.  Grace, however, happens even more as our Heavenly Father beckons us by His Spirit to arise from our fall by looking to Calvary, the empty tomb, and the occupied Heavenly throne where the Lord Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25).  

   The Lord who "delighteth in mercy" desires to forgive and cleanse His trusting children in times of failure far more than we desire such blessed restoration (Micah 7:18).  The grace that began our relationship with God abides with us to ensure that when we fall down, we do not stay down.  Indeed, if we could audibly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, "Get up!" would sound and resound every time we wander from the light of grace into the darkness of sin and unbelief.  Grace works, first and foremost by enabling faith and faithfulness.  However, in those times when we fail to avail ourselves of our Lord's freely give presence and power, grace works to restore our journey on the path of righteousness...

"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

(Psalm 51:7)

"If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

(Romans 5:10)

Weekly Memory Verse

    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

(John 10:10)