Purposeful Grace
>> Sunday, January 16, 2011
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." -- 2 Corinthians 9:8 [ESV]Ever wonder how God is able to work out his abundantly rich plan? The key to the mystery isn't found in God's ability but rather in His purposes.
When Paul writes about God's ability, he most often states it as a given - it's often written as an assumption. As a follower of Christ we should never be surprised or caught off guard by God's ability. Creation and all the works of history attest to God's ability. What is the mystery to us and to a lost world is His purposes. God's purposes have need of constant reminder in our lives.
God's purposes are revealed to us as our minds are renewed.
Maturity :: Knowledge :: Word
The mystery of God's purposes are revealed in us as we are being sanctified.
Christ-likeness :: Understanding :: Deed
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." -- Ephesians 3:20-21 [ESV]The truth is that understanding God's ability far exceeds our comprehension, so our attempts will fall short of grasping it. What begs our attention is that the same power that makes His ability possible is "at work within us". This significantly eliminates our excuses or capacity to ignore the reality.
This is a significant truth for us as His purposes are revealed -- to be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus. Did you get that? God seeks glory from two sources - Christ Jesus (that's a given) and The Church (that's the mystery). Two sources - the Groom and the Bride.
God makes His grace abound to us so that we may abound in every good work as the Church that glorifies Him. Find contentment in the grace that abounds to you. Rest in the truth that His grace is sufficient. Live as though His grace is purposeful.
It really is simpler than we try to make it - live in His grace and act to glorify God through the Church.
because of purposeful grace,
jdj
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2 comments:
Theres alot that could be said here but making it personalized to me is that my sin can never take me farther than His grace can reach. That doesnt mean there wont be consequences or scars, but there will be redemption. When I accept his mercy and grace, that in itself glorifies His name
Sometimes...well often times we find God's grace just too simple to grasp and we put more into it than it requires. That is why God says that if we do not receive the Kingdom of God like a child we will not enter it. Children do not question they just have faith that it is what it is. God will demonstrate His grace in our lives because He knows as adults of very little faith we need to see Him. We need to experience Him. We need to feel Him. Honestly, I think that is why He allows storms in our lives...so that he can demonstrate His grace and mercy to us and through us. Great post!
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