The Enabling Grace of God
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:10 pm
The Enabling Grace of God
So often fundamentalists limit the grace of God to God's “unmerited favour” toward us. It is true that God's grace is unmerited favour. But it is much more than that. It is God's training to help us overcome wrongdoing and to live righteously. Titus 2:11-15 explains it:
For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to live sensible, righteous, and devout lives in the present age, expecting the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; encourage and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15
This passage tells us that the very reason for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was to “redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works.” Other passages which give us the same reason for Christ's death are as follows:
I Peter 2:24 He himself endured our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
II Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Heb 9:26 ...he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Salvation is a processs. From what are we being saved? From sin! The angel said to Joseph in a dream:
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
That is quite wonderful that Jesus has provided a way for us to overcome wrongdoing, and live for Christ, for righteousness. But how do we receive this enabling grace so that this victory will be practically carried out in our lives? Here is our first clue:
...we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need. Hebrews 4:15,16
The author uses a double negative (which is tantamount to a positive). A positive has more force. Let me say this in a positive way.
Since we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, let's draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need.
And how do we draw near to the throne of grace when we have been overcome with weakness — when we have a time of need, the need to find victory over our weaknesses and to live righteously? I used to think drawing near to the throne of grace meant praying for help. I still think that is part of it. But after having prayed, let's be filled with trust that Christ WILL deliver us from our sin. For He died for this purpose.
I'm not talking about a mere covering of our sin. I'm not talking about a substitution for us, so that Christ took our punishment in our place. I'm not talking about justification in the sense that God does not see our sin when He looks at us, but sees only Christ's righteousness. I'm talking about a real deliverance from sin in our lives, so that we actually live righteously in our everyday lives!
Somehow we must coöperate with the grace of God. We can't overcome by mere self effort. But neither will God deliver us apart from our will. We must do it together WITH God!
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2
It is as we work together with Christ, that we will be able to receive the enabling grace of God which will deliver us from actual sin in our lives. If we just ask God for His grace, we won't receive it, for He will not deliver us without out will and coöperation. Oh there is a sense in which we might wish to be delivered, but how deep is that wish actually? Many people say they want to be delivered from something, but they say they just can't. Here is an example. Some say they want to quit smoking, but they can't since smoking has such a great hold on them. They pray, “O Lord, take away my craving.” But that doesn't work! They don't really mean business. If they really mean it, they will call upon God's enabling grace, trusting Christ to deliver them because of His death for that purpose.
The writer of Hebrews gives a detailed account of what many people who accomplished through faith under the OLD covenant! Then he mentions several others:
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32-34)
Then after telling us about these heroes of faith, he indicates that since we have such a large crowd of witnesses to what can be accomplished through faith even in the old order, surely we can overcome sin though it clings so closely to us.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Jesus is the founder and completer of faith. So surely we can exercise trust in Him to deliver us from wrongdoing. In the passage above, the writer speaks of a STRUGGLE against sin. Next, he indicates that if we don't struggle and overcome through faith, then God will discipline us for our good, so that we might overcome, and become righteous.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8)
The writer then tells us that the purpose of God's disciple is that we might share his holiness:
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the spiritual Father and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:9-10)
Then the writer tells us that God's discipline will later yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. That Greek word translated as “trained” refers to vigorous exercise such as one trains oneself in a gymnasium.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:11-13)
“so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” If we continue in wrongdoing, our hearts and minds are going to be so affected that they will not function properly. Just as a lame leg, put out of joint, exacerbates our ability to walk, so will our ability to overcome wrongdoing, and to work righteousness be exacerbated if we do not struggle to do so.
Finally a warning:
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Unless we become holy (separate from sin), we will never see the Lord. Salvation is that process by which we continue to become more and more free from sin. If we continue on the narrow path which leads to righteousness, then when Christ comes, He will put the finishing touches on us, so that we will be ready to see the Lord and be with Him forever. But if we get off the narrow path, we will need correction before we are ready to meet the Lord — and if we persist in unrighteousness until our death, we will require a very severe correction in the Lake of Fire. Surely we need to be spared that!
I fear the vast majority of Christendom have been deceived about salvation. They think they can be spared the flames of hell simply by “trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.” They think that being righteous and holy is “a good thing” but unnecessary in order to be with Christ forever. They think that perfection is impossible even though Christ taught, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!” Jesus wouldn't ask us to be perfect, if it were impossible.
.
So let's continue in our struggle against sin, and our determination to work righteousness (together with God). We cannot overcome alone. God will not do it for us. But together with Him, we can succeed!
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
So often fundamentalists limit the grace of God to God's “unmerited favour” toward us. It is true that God's grace is unmerited favour. But it is much more than that. It is God's training to help us overcome wrongdoing and to live righteously. Titus 2:11-15 explains it:
For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to live sensible, righteous, and devout lives in the present age, expecting the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; encourage and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15
This passage tells us that the very reason for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was to “redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works.” Other passages which give us the same reason for Christ's death are as follows:
I Peter 2:24 He himself endured our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
II Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Heb 9:26 ...he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Salvation is a processs. From what are we being saved? From sin! The angel said to Joseph in a dream:
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
That is quite wonderful that Jesus has provided a way for us to overcome wrongdoing, and live for Christ, for righteousness. But how do we receive this enabling grace so that this victory will be practically carried out in our lives? Here is our first clue:
...we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need. Hebrews 4:15,16
The author uses a double negative (which is tantamount to a positive). A positive has more force. Let me say this in a positive way.
Since we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, let's draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need.
And how do we draw near to the throne of grace when we have been overcome with weakness — when we have a time of need, the need to find victory over our weaknesses and to live righteously? I used to think drawing near to the throne of grace meant praying for help. I still think that is part of it. But after having prayed, let's be filled with trust that Christ WILL deliver us from our sin. For He died for this purpose.
I'm not talking about a mere covering of our sin. I'm not talking about a substitution for us, so that Christ took our punishment in our place. I'm not talking about justification in the sense that God does not see our sin when He looks at us, but sees only Christ's righteousness. I'm talking about a real deliverance from sin in our lives, so that we actually live righteously in our everyday lives!
Somehow we must coöperate with the grace of God. We can't overcome by mere self effort. But neither will God deliver us apart from our will. We must do it together WITH God!
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2
It is as we work together with Christ, that we will be able to receive the enabling grace of God which will deliver us from actual sin in our lives. If we just ask God for His grace, we won't receive it, for He will not deliver us without out will and coöperation. Oh there is a sense in which we might wish to be delivered, but how deep is that wish actually? Many people say they want to be delivered from something, but they say they just can't. Here is an example. Some say they want to quit smoking, but they can't since smoking has such a great hold on them. They pray, “O Lord, take away my craving.” But that doesn't work! They don't really mean business. If they really mean it, they will call upon God's enabling grace, trusting Christ to deliver them because of His death for that purpose.
The writer of Hebrews gives a detailed account of what many people who accomplished through faith under the OLD covenant! Then he mentions several others:
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32-34)
Then after telling us about these heroes of faith, he indicates that since we have such a large crowd of witnesses to what can be accomplished through faith even in the old order, surely we can overcome sin though it clings so closely to us.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Jesus is the founder and completer of faith. So surely we can exercise trust in Him to deliver us from wrongdoing. In the passage above, the writer speaks of a STRUGGLE against sin. Next, he indicates that if we don't struggle and overcome through faith, then God will discipline us for our good, so that we might overcome, and become righteous.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8)
The writer then tells us that the purpose of God's disciple is that we might share his holiness:
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the spiritual Father and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:9-10)
Then the writer tells us that God's discipline will later yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. That Greek word translated as “trained” refers to vigorous exercise such as one trains oneself in a gymnasium.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:11-13)
“so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” If we continue in wrongdoing, our hearts and minds are going to be so affected that they will not function properly. Just as a lame leg, put out of joint, exacerbates our ability to walk, so will our ability to overcome wrongdoing, and to work righteousness be exacerbated if we do not struggle to do so.
Finally a warning:
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Unless we become holy (separate from sin), we will never see the Lord. Salvation is that process by which we continue to become more and more free from sin. If we continue on the narrow path which leads to righteousness, then when Christ comes, He will put the finishing touches on us, so that we will be ready to see the Lord and be with Him forever. But if we get off the narrow path, we will need correction before we are ready to meet the Lord — and if we persist in unrighteousness until our death, we will require a very severe correction in the Lake of Fire. Surely we need to be spared that!
I fear the vast majority of Christendom have been deceived about salvation. They think they can be spared the flames of hell simply by “trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.” They think that being righteous and holy is “a good thing” but unnecessary in order to be with Christ forever. They think that perfection is impossible even though Christ taught, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!” Jesus wouldn't ask us to be perfect, if it were impossible.
.
So let's continue in our struggle against sin, and our determination to work righteousness (together with God). We cannot overcome alone. God will not do it for us. But together with Him, we can succeed!
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)