HOW GOD'S GRACE HELPS US TO EMBRACE HIS WAYS AND COMMANDMENTS

2/8/2021

I am continually confounded by the fact that so many Christians seem to think that all they need to embrace in their relationship with God is Grace. Don’t get me wrong here. I fully realize that the true gift in my life is forgiveness for my sins and the rebirth of my spirit in the incredible Grace of Jesus dying on the cross in my place, that I might have life. His amazing love for me always captures my heart and thoughts. In that Grace, I also know that as I have been reborn into abiding in Christ. Fundamentally I am also embracing the things and ways of the Father that Jesus Himself embraced. Far too many Christians truly seem to struggle with the Old Testament, and God’s Commandments. There is a disconnect for many, that the laws and commandments that directly impacted the people in the Old Testament have absolutely no importance or impact on us as Christians today. The Torah ( First five books of the Bible ), some say, are strictly for Jews. If you study them and find they seem important for life, you are heretical, or worse, you are being drawn into Judaism ! At times this struggle for understanding in this area is difficult. Scripture, while at times can be confusing on the surface, once studied and meditated on always provides truth if you seek it from God, not men.

DO NOT THINK THAT I CAME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OF THE PROPHETS; I DID NOT COME TO ABOLISH, BUT TO FULFILL. Matthew 5:17

FOR TRULY I SAY TO YOU, UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, NOT THE SMALLEST LETTER OR STROKE SHALL PASS FROM THE LAW UNTIL ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED. WHOEVER THEN ANNULS ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE COMMANDMENTS, AND TEACHES OTHERS TO DO THE SAME, SHALL BE CALLED LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT WHOEVER KEEPS AND TEACHES THEM, HE SHALL BE CALLED GREAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Matthew 5:18-19

It seems pretty clear that Jesus is telling us that the Law has a very important place in our lives, and yet, we know that we are sinners and often break many of the Commandments. We also know that WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE ! How do we reconcile what all throughout scripture seems to be at times a positioning of importance between the two ? In my men’s group we have discussed this topic in detail from a variety of angles, and I would share with you what we have discerned. I would also say that this is “Our” viewpoint. Yours may be different, but keep seeking God and His Word, along with prayer and fellowship to grow and mature in your own understanding. Our viewpoint is that Salvation is a one time occurrence. God’s Grace allows our individual sin to be forgiven through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are reborn. We are changed and propelled into a new creation. We are not meant to continue to sin and live as we please. We are meant to be “Holy”; set apart into a life of righteousness. We are consecrated and directed to walk in the ways of Jesus.

THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME; THE OLD HAS GONE; THE NEW IS HERE ! 2 Corinthians 5:17

HE SAVED US, NOT BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY. HE SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Titus 3:5

THEREFORE, AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM…Colossians 2:6

A New Creation. Mercy. A Rebirth and Renewal By The Holy Spirit. Receive Him, and Walk In Him. My group and I believe that the key to where to go after you have been SAVED, is to be CHANGED ! You HAVE TO BE ! How we change is to embrace the Grace of our Salvation and make an effort to Walk with Christ. Through His love and grace we are able to see the things that He values. His right and wrong. His character. His priorities ! Jesus was all about His Father and the Kingdom of Heaven. If we shun the Commandments of God and do whatever we want, or pick and choose what we do, don’t do; like, don’t like, then how are we following Jesus ?

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME. John 10:7

WHOEVER SAYS HE ABIDES IN HIM OUGHT TO WALK IN THE SAME WAY IN WHICH HE WALKED. 1 John 2:6

The most important thing that I try to focus on in my life is just how blessed I am to have a deep relationship with Jesus. It settles me and gives me a foundation of Strength, Hope, and Peace. I know how imperfect I am. I know my weaknesses and sin patters. I don’t take my salvation and faith as a given that lets me do whatever I want. The Father shows me who He created me to be in His Word, and the Holy Spirit convicts me to Repent and work on my spirit. I want to be like Jesus and seek His help wherever and whenever I need it. HIS GRACE CONVICTS ME TO HONOR AND LIVE IN HIS INSTRUCTION AND COMMANDMENTS ! I Love Jesus, and I look forward to embracing Him and bowing down in His presence and love. My prayer is that all who seek Him, Find Him ! May His Grace Humble Us/JAA

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. Revelation 22:14