Friday, July 18, 2014

What Does God's Grace Teach Us (2)



It Teaches Me About Denial

When we talk about denying or denial we mean rejection. The word is defined as “to forsake, to renounce such a thing.” Think of a person who is so fed up with an individual that he says, “I will have nothing to do with him ever again!” The idea is having nothing to do with something. God’s grace teaches me about having nothing to do with certain things ever again.

Denying Ungodliness. Ungodliness means, “a failure to perform our proper duties to God.” It is basically acting in a manner which would show defiance to the will of God. Paul used this word to describe those who would choose to defy God in order to worship false idols. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). There are many in this world who, while not worshipping idols, refuse to honor and worship God. Therefore, they are ungodly in their actions. There are just as many, if not more, who claim to worship Him but live in defiance to Him through the lives which they live. They are ungodly in their actions. Consider what Paul said concerning the wrath of God and the ungodly. God’s wrath is placed against those who fall into the category of the “ungodly.” “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Deny Worldly Lusts. Worldly describes that which is of this earth. Lusts is defined as, “a longing, a forbidden desire.” There are things in this world which would entice man to commit sin. Individuals have strong desires for: wealth, honor, pleasure, personal exaltation, and the like. As one studies through the Bible, he would come to understand the need to deny these things (1 John 2:15-17). Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Those are things which are going to fight against us in a bid to conquer us. The grace of God teaches us to deny them.

No comments:

Post a Comment