Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Proving Point of Grace

How can we prove that we are really receiving grace? Many living in sin claim that they are still receiving forgiveness through the grace of Jesus Christ and therefore they are not condemned.


There are even those who have developed an understanding that this is what makes grace so amazing. Paul made it clear that we should never think continuing in sin causes grace to abound. The fact that the grace of Jesus forgives us for sin is not what magnifies His grace the most. While forgiveness is certainly a valid aspect of the wonderful grace of God - it is not the clearest proving point of the power of grace.


The power of grace becomes most evident when it is applied where we need it the most - in our weakness. This is what Jesus told Paul -


"My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect IN your weakness."


The power of the grace of Jesus is most observable when our weakest areas have been transformed through His powerful grace into areas displaying His amazing strength.


This is the way for others to experience the nearness of God in a far greater degree than those times of our own personal experience when receiving forgiveness for having yielded to temptation and sin.


The reality of the nearness of God is best seen by others when at our weakest moments, the sufficiency of His grace strengthens us to resist temptation, take the way of escape offered to us, and bear up under the temptation rather than cave in to it. This is where the power of His grace is really proven to others as well as to ourselves.


May the power of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be magnified before the eyes of men as they behold His power being perfected IN our weaknesses. This is what causes the treasure that we have in these earthen vessels to become most apparent that the excellency of the power is of God and not ourselves.


Grace is not nearly as evident through our receiving forgiveness as it is in our being transformed into His image. The proof of the power of Jesus Christ is in His ability to transform us from victims of temptation and sin to victors over temptation and sin.


To Him Who is able to KEEP US FROM FALLING - through His own power being made perfect in our weakness.
To Him be glory in the church.


Written by Alan

When you see a ball of yarn, it is not the 
unraveling of it that sets you in awe, but what can be made with it, that you marvel.

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