1013. Forgiveness - According to the Riches of His Grace

Many people who have already come to believe in Christ – who Himself in reality has set them free from the bondage of sin and death – are yet unfortunately living in a type of bondage. It’s a needless, unwarranted bondage that is based upon not knowing the fullness of the reality of all that was accomplished for them through God’s grace. Their daily lives consist of a struggle of wondering if they’re truly forgiven by God for all their sins, and wondering where they stand with God, when He has already done everything to provide full redemption through Jesus’ blood – the forgiveness of sins – according to the riches of His grace.

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus, and in Him we have access, by faith, into this grace in which we stand. The grace of God truly is something we can stand in, and Paul encourages us to do so – to stand firmly in the grace and freedom of Christ. God has set us free to live free lives, so let’s not submit ourselves to the bondage of trying to relate to God through our works.



   
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837. Our Works Are Not Our Own - We Have Nothing to Boast About

You’ll catch a few headlines about grace through faith where religion rules, but far too often the focus becomes about our works and what we do to try and get closer to God, increase a fleshly morality, etc. We continue this week on the subject of faith compared to works … and how Paul pointed out on more than one occasion in his writings that we who are in Christ have nothing to boast within ourselves. Nada. Zero.

The good works that flow through us are because we’re in Him … and He is in us. The Spirit of God produces His fruit. We are His workmanship. It’s a resting place where Jesus is our peace, having freed the world from a ministry of impossible commandments and ordinances that were preventing people from attaining right-standing with God.

   
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836. Saved by Grace Through Faith - Not of Works

We’re jumping into Ephesians this week and landing on a few popular verses in the 2nd chapter. Paul is revealing the good news of salvation which comes by grace through faith, apart from works. It’s right there in black and white, but the legal eagles will still try and convince the hearers that there is a requirement of self-effort to maintain or secure one’s salvation. They would prefer to have you believe the riches of God’s grace is simply too good to be true.

We look at the passage in context and discuss more about the faith vs. works factor when it comes to our salvation and justification. Bottom line? There is nothing for anyone to boast about.

   
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835. Things Seldom Heard in Church: You Are Righteous - Apart From Works

We continue our discussion this week on the differences between faith and works. When it comes to salvation and justification, it has to be one or the other, and the Apostle Paul made it clear within the revelation of the New Covenant, we are not bound to a law of works, but the law of faith.

This eliminates any boasting on our part, as we receive the gift of His righteousness, which occurs apart from a law based upon works. Faith will lead to God working in and through us, allowing Him to bear His fruit instead of our own.

   
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