I believe understanding the GRACE OF GOD is the revelation God is illuminating to the “Church”, so we might move to the next level of power. God gave me two words some time ago. Preparation and Continuation. Our burden is to see people set free from religion, legalism, guilt, performance, the tyranny of others, the tyranny of self, and the “have to’s” and “shalt not’s”. Now that’s a large list, but it’s easily overcome with a revelation of the great grace of God.
The problem ensues when Christians believe they have to perform or live up to some set of rules in order for God to love them, provide for them, appreciate them, be kind to them, or favor them. Let me just say you cannot receive anything from God based on your goodness, righteousness, performance or ability to keep the rules. You don’t need to try and go out and GET IT. YOU’VE ALREADY GOT IT.
“God cannot give you as a reward, that which is already yours through inheritance.” God cannot give you what He has not promised. He didn’t say all things would be added to you if you kept all the rules and followed all the religious traditions of men. He said “Seek ye first the Kingdom…”. God does not bless us based on our performance. He blesses us based on His promises. He promised ALL to us if we simply receive what Jesus did for us.
This next set of scripture has been used in numerous teachings already contained on this blog, and I’m certain will be used again in future teachings. It is such a powerful statement by Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit. Here it is in the Message Bible. Galatians 2:19-21.
“What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and IT DIDN’T WORK. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him.
Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion (we need to get set free from the tyranny of others), I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily”.
GET THIS TRUTH. God has already done His part. When Jesus cried “It is finished” (John 19:30), He meant just that. He provided everything we could ever need. We aren’t waiting on Him to give. He’s waiting on us to receive.
NOW IF YOU’RE RELIGIOUS…..WHAT I HAVE ALREADY SAID AND WHAT I WILL SAY WILL DRIVE YOU NUTS.
Most people don’t seem to get it. Some will get an immediate revelation. Others will fall into the “Ya But” Ministry. Ya But I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta…………….NO.
Here’s my frustration. The revelation inside of me concerning God’s Grace, Mercy and Love is greater than what I’ve been able to convey. Paul had this burden. “If the knowledge of the truth makes you free, then it’s error that binds you.” So it’s God’s truth we will seek out.
Ephesians 1:3 reads in the “Voice” version. “Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, who grants us every spiritual blessing in these heavenly realms where we live in the Anointed—not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us.”
Not because of ANYTHING we have done, but because of what He has done for us. Any blessing you could ever need or desire is not something to strive for, it’s something you already have because of what He has done for us.
God made provision before we had the need. All we need to learn to do is receive. Seeing things as already done takes a load off of you. This knowledge kills the legalism and performance mentality.
It’s like a story my wife tells about Brownies in the Pantry. I ask my wife to bake a pan of brownies for me. She knows I love them. They are one of my favorite desserts. So she makes them and puts them in the pantry (refrigerator, bread box, whatever). Now they are done and waiting to be received. It would be foolish for me to be looking right at them and say to her “Would you please bake me a pan of brownies”. Yet that is exactly what the majority of Christians continue to do.
So let me step on some religious toes, kill some sacred cows, cut off the head of some pet snakes. If you continue to pray about something God has already said is done in His Word then you’re in idolatry.
Here’s a “for instance”. 1 Peter 2:24. I like the way it reads in the “Living Bible” – “He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours”!
That says so many things. First it says we can be FINISHED with sin. So why aren’t we? Because we haven’t renewed our minds to the revelation of the finality of the cross. Then it says that we have already been healed……….RIGHT?? So then, if God’s Word is true…and it is, it would actually be incorrect to pray for HEALING.
WHOA! I know I just sent someone into a tailspin with that statement, but I’m just using step logic to come to that truth. There is a difference between fighting to get healed and fighting because we have been healed. The difference is between failure and success.
Now, you’ve got to get out of your old religious comfort zone. Stretch yourself to get this revelation of Grace. Once you know it, you’ll be set free.
Ephesians 2:8 in the NLT reads “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God”. Here it is in the NAS “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”;
We aren’t saved by Grace alone, or by Faith alone. They work together. Actually, faith isn’t true biblical faith unless it is receiving what God has already provided by Grace.
Okay, if by now I haven’t destroyed your religious tenants, or raised your legalistic shackles….what I will bring forth in part 2 WILL DO IT! Look at someone and say can this stuff really be TRUE? Don't miss part 2. Grace and Peace.
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