The past few weeks, the Lord has been teaching me about His grace, and how we as the body have misdefined it as something that gives us an excuse not to follow his commands. Or that we have used it as a catchall term for mercy and forgiveness, “by His grace we have been saved”. It is true that grace has saved us (Eph 2:5-8). God’s mercy on us gained us forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice, but beyond that, grace is what raises us up and leads us on to a new life. Grace is God’s ability, power, and strength to help us overcome sin, evil, the enemy, and this world. In Hebrew chapter 4 we are shown how to enter into the rest of God , his true sabbath. Not saturday or sunday observance, but truly resting in Him, ceasing from our own works. Our works are anything that we do or don’t do(sin) in life that we think gain us brownie points with the Lord. We are to rest/cease from our works every day, not just one day a week.
Hebrews 4:9-11 Then there remains a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered into His rest also rested himself from his works, as God did from His own. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter into that rest, lest anyone falls in the same example of disobedience(unbelief).
His rest is not an option, but a command; according to v 11 we are in disobedience or unbelief not entering into His rest. It is not about a command to sit in a pew every sunday morning, just so you don’t forsake the assembly. When we accept the rest He has for us and allow Him to work in us, then that is when we start overcoming all of those things that we seemingly have been in bondage to from our old lives. Jesus Christ is our high Priest, he knows what we are going through in our temptations…
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but having been tempted in all respects in quite the same way as we are, yet without sin.
So….
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Many of us tend to look for various ways of overcoming sin in our lives, me included. And we grieve the Lord when we look to the wisdom of the world(psychology, psychiatry, 12 steps to __?___ etc.) to overcome an addiction(sin!). He has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness in His son Jesus Christ. And we turn away in unbelief and look for answers elsewhere. Instead of coming to our King on His throne and just asking for the grace to overcome. And when we do ask, we still turn and look for other answers. This is unbelief brethren!! We can read in the previous chapter, Hebrews 3, and in the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy about Israels unbelief. God showed them His power to overcome their enemies for them and they still (all but Joshua and Caleb) wanted to do their own thing and wallow in unbelief. If we seek the rest of God from our ungodly deeds and sins, we must believe that His grace is sufficient to do it for us.(Heb 3:18-19).
Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Here are a few links of encouraging words, that have helped me remember His grace and try not to walk this journey in my own strength. May they be a blessing to you….Amen
http://www.christourlife.ca/Teachings/2007/2007-11/07-11-21%20The%20Grace%20Of%20God.mp3
Beautiful song-http://www.christourlife.ca/Worship/O%20The%20Grace%20That%20Saves.mp3“
By the Rivers of Living Water 