What Does God's Grace Teach Us (4)

It Teaches Me About Hope

Look to the Blessed Hope Found in the Returning Christ. Think of what Paul has written up to this point. There is hope for the Christian who follows the written precepts. The one who rejects ungodliness and worldliness, and lives soberly, righteously, and godly in this world has a wonderful hope found in the returning Savior. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). There is a wonderful hope which we have surrounding His return. This hope is based upon the promises which He made. This would include:

·         Eternal Life: “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25).

·         An Immortal Body: “For our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Phil. 3:20-21).

These are just two of the many promises which He made.

This hope can only be found for those who live according to the Word of God. Wicked man may live with hope in his heart but it will be extinguished at the judgment day (Prov. 11:7).

It Teaches Me of a Savior

Paul writes that “He gave Himself for us.” This Christ, Who is one day returning, is the One Who gave His life for us on the cross. It was important that He give His life.

His Blood Redeems Man. To be redeemed is to “release by paying a ransom price, to redeem.” When one thinks of an individual who is being ransomed, one would think of a person who is under heavy bondage or distress. Paul wrote to the Romans that each were at one time under bondage to the cruel task master which is sin (Rom. 6:16). Man alone cannot pay that ransom price. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). It is through Him that we have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).`

His Blood Purifies Me. Think of water that has been run through a purifier. The purpose of the purifier is to cleanser the impurities from water. The process takes the liquid which at one time was cloudy and filled with all sorts of contaminates and makes it clean and drinkable. IF I have been redeemed of my past sins, then I have been purified by the blood of Christ. Notice, this purification is done “…unto Himself…” That means that I am no longer my own. I am not under His ownership and should act accordingly.

I am Become Someone New. I become a peculiar person, that is, a special person dedicated with zeal to His service (1 Pet. 2:9). “Activity in the kingdom is a natural consequence; we understand what we were and what we have become; we appreciate the blessings of the Lord; we want others to enjoy the same privileges; and we strongly desire to do all within out power in behalf of the Lord who saved us” (Winton. p. 47).

God’s grace is a teacher. It teaches me:

·         About Denial

·         How to Live Right

·         About Hope

·         Of a Savior

Grace is God’s part of man’s salvation. Obedient faith is man’s part. One must be a faithful child of God in order to receive the blessings of the Savior. That means one must:

·         Hear God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).

·         Believe that Word (John 8:24).

·         Repent of Sins (Luke 13:3).

·         Confess Christ as Your Savior (Acts 8:37).

·         Be Baptized For the Remission of Sins (Acts 2:38).

·         Live Faithfully Until Death (Rev. 2:10).