We have been trained to be quick in our resolve and determination to resist sin and temptation. This simply does not work. It's trusting in the might of Adam and striving in the flesh to be an overcomer. Yet for the Christian, Grace has given us everything we need. When tempted, when you're about to do something you know you shouldn't do--even when you feel like you can't stop yourself--realize His super-abounding Grace is already there to overwhelm you with the satisfaction of Christ's love for you. Worship like this and you will experience the reality of the Christ-bought freedom in which you already exist.

We are called to disciple nations. This was the mandate Jesus released to us before He ascended to Heaven (see Matt. 28:19). The reason the Church has not stepped into her destiny is that we have not aligned our thinking with His words. For too long, our mindset has been one of inferiority and insignificance, and this attitude has neutralized our anointing to impact nations. We have allowed ourselves to be overwhelmed with the evil state of the world and have believed the lie that we could not make a difference. We have settled for sitting back and letting history happen around us rather than being deliberate in authoring history. - Banning Liebscher in "Jesus Culture"

Grace - It Both Hardens and Softens the Heart

The same sun that hardens clay also melts wax. In the same way, the message of God's grace hardens the heart of the proud and softens the heart of the humble. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Why is grace only available to the humble? Because only the humble will receive it. The humble will always find God to be gracious and compassionate.

Bob George, from "Classic Christianity".

Grace - Holy Spirit Points To Jesus In Us

Enjoy this excerpt from Paul Ellis' book "The Gospel in Ten Words"

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy

"If I'm so righteous, how come the Holy Spirit keeps convicting me of my sin?"  Actually, he never does that.  That's an extra-Biblical myth that needs to be busted.  Adam didn't need God's help in recognizing his sin and neither do we.  Any guilt you have over wrongdoing comes from a condemning source and not the one called Comforter.  There is no condemnation--not now, not ever--to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would seek to convince us of our righteousness (John 16:8-10).  When do you most need convincing of your righteousness in Christ?  It is when you are feeling unrighteous.  It is when you have just sinned.

When you sin, the Holy Spirit will seek to remind you that you are still righteous because you are in Christ the Righteous One.

I appreciate this is completely different to the message many of us have heard (and some of us have preached).  We have been told the Holy Spirit is like a heavenly cop who issues warnings whenever we stray.  But that's not what Jesus said.  He said the Holy Spirit would "glorify me" (that's Jesus), guide us into all truth (also Jesus), and convince us of our righteousness (Jesus again).  The Holy Spirit is not closing his eyes to your sin; he is trying to open your eyes to Jesus.  Just as a gyroscope in a plane will always reveal the true horizon, the Holy Spirit will always point you to the Righteous One.  He will always encourage you to fix your eyes on Jesus.

"Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God..." (Romans 5:1 YLT)

Do you know why so many believers have no peace in their relationship with God?  They would tell you it is because God is angry with them and their sin, but the real reason is they are ignorant of him and his righteousness.  In the kingdom, peace always follows righteousness.  If you are more conscious of your sin that his righteousness, you will never enjoy peace with God.

The church has an unhealthy obsession with sin.  We spend our lives:

watching out for sin

resisting sin

fighting sin

hiding sin

running from sin

owning up to sin

talking about sin

turning from sin,

and hopefully, overcoming sin.

With so much emphasis on sin, guilt, and shame, is it any wonder so many of us don't feel righteous?  We need the ministry of the Holy Spirit now more than ever.

Grace - Go Merrily Married On Your Way

I've been chewing on two verses and I'd like to share three different translations of Hebrews 10:1-2.  I've also highlighted certain aspects of each translation:

"Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn't they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, once purified, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?"  (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year.  If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices."  (CEV)

"The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old "law plan" wasn't complete in itself, it couldn't complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins."  (MSG)

I love these verses.  And I hope they expose in your heart, as they have in mine, the areas in our minds where the Law of Moses (the Jewish Law, as rendered in the Good News Translation) is still in effect.  To put it straight forwardly, we are victims of a mixture of a law-keeping covenant and a grace-given covenant.

I want to again highlight to you the Message translation.  Look how it ends:  "the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins."

If you cannot go merrily on your way and no longer experience remorse and captivity because of your sins, then I would suggest that there remains for you a greater revelation and application of the glory of the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ.  I know far too many people who are laboring under the guilt of their sins and failures, when, if they only knew the truth, they could walk freely and joyously, never again to yield themselves to temptation.

But as it remains, the level of success they achieve never seems to rise above the attempt to constantly manage their behavior.  They're like patients who refuse to leave the hospital because they think they're still sick.  They're holding onto those train tickets that will never get them to destination "holiness".  They go to classes on sanctification; they sweat for Jesus at the gym.

I have a friend who recently married--his name is Franco, and he's an amazing guy.  It's pretty cool, in fact, because in the flash of a moment he went from being unmarried to being married.  Since the moment he became a married person, he has continuously been a married person.  However, if we asked whether or not he's always felt married since that moment, I imagine he might say that he's had to come to believe it.  Surely there is a period of time where the reality of such a wonderful event must take root in a person's thought-life.  Nevertheless, no matter what his feelings have told him, from the moment the pastor at his wedding said "I now pronounce you...", he has, in fact, been entirely and legally (and he would say FINALLY!) married!  (Love you, Franco.)

In the same way, we are holy and righteousness not because of what we've done, but because we have faith in the one perfect sacrifice.  Because of this, we should be merrily on our way, no longer dragged down by our sins.  Our condition is a reality, and knowing that reality is key to experiencing freedom from the enticement of sin--even if we do fail.

So, leave the hospital, get off the "holiness train", skip the classes on how to be sanctified, and throw away those gym membership cards.  Dr. Jesus healed you completely, you've already arrived at your destination of holiness by being seated with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is your teacher and is revealing Christ in you to you, and the strongest man in the world is already residing inside of you.

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy

Grace - Your True Value

Hello All,

Below is an excerpt from Paul Ellis' book "The Gospel in Ten Words".  Enjoy!

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy

Your True Value

In the market for performance-based acceptance, your value to any organization is defined by your ability to produce.  Those who get the results get the recognition.  But in the kingdom of God, your value is determined by the One who accepts you.  Your value is not based on your results or your fruit, but your Father's unconditional approval.

God accepts you!  (I'll keep banging this drum until I get an "Amen.")  Whether you preach a thousand sermons or none at all, your heavenly Father is thoroughly pleased with you.  There is nothing you can do to make him more pleased than he already is.  Just as your good works don't make you any more pleasing to God, neither do your bad works make you less pleasing.  If you yell at the kids and fight with your spouse you are still acceptable.  You may need to make peace with your family, but you already have everlasting peace with God on account of Jesus.

This is so alien to the way we have been raised, that we have trouble believing it.  "But I'm a total failure.  Look at the mess I have made of my life."  And God responds, "You're my beloved child and I am well-pleased with you."

Our Father's loving affirmation is completely at odds with the fault-finding messages of this broken world.  We are constantly being told, "You're not good enough.  You're not smart enough, tall enough, rich enough, or cool enough.  Your teeth aren't white enough or straight enough.  Your skin is the wrong color, your body is the wrong shape, and your smell bad."  Listen to this twaddle long enough and you'll end up a miserable wreck.  You'll make yourself susceptible to the seductive lies of advertisers and snake oil salesmen.

If you want a proper estimation of your true worth, don't look at your academic transcripts or your resume and definitely don't look in the mirror.  Instead, look to the cross.  Jesus loves you more than his own life.  That's the message of the gospel and it's the cure for mother wounds, low self-esteem, and all forms of rejection.

Understand that there are different voices all competing to be heard and that you have to choose whom you will heed.  On the one hand, you have broken people speaking lies about you that really say more about their own brokenness than yours, and on the other, you have Almighty God declaring his unconditional acceptance of you.  The world finds fault with you and does nothing to help, but God says, "You're mine" and pours out his favor.  Who will you listen to?

When you know God is pleased with you regardless of your productivity, it will free you from the pressure to perform.  When you've heard God say "Yes" to you, it will empower you to say "No" to the unhealthy demands of Pharaoh's whip-cracking taskmasters.  If you have been burning the candle at both ends trying to get ahead, a revelation of God's acceptance will bring you to a place of rest.  It will get you off the merry-go-round and sit you down in pastures green.

But that doesn't mean you will be idle.  Those who wait upon the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).  Paradoxically, those who have been freed from the need to produce are often the most productive people around.  This happens because the loving acceptance of another brings out the best in us, particularly if the Other is someone special.

Perhaps you have had the pleasant experience of being accepted by the most beautiful girl in the room or the best man in the house.  It is the thrill of being elevated to a higher level.  "Really?!  You choose me?  But you're way out of my league."  As nice as that is, it pales in comparison to the lift that comes from being accepted by the Maker of heaven and earth.  To the glory of his grace you have been lifted out of the miry clay and seated with him in heavenly places.  Talk about your upward mobility.

...

In the old covenant they prayed for the day when the Lord would make his face shine upon you, be gracious to you, and give you peace.  The good news is that you are living in that day.  He is looking at you full in the face and beaming with a galaxy-sized smile.  You are the apple of his eye and he rejoices over you with singing.

Freedom is found in the Father's acceptance.  When you know beyond all doubt that you are your Daddy's delight, you will be set free from the need to please others.  The pressure to perform will lift and the unholy expectations of men will seem ridiculous.  My Father is pleased with me.  I don't have to prove a thing!  If thoughts of rejection should enter your head, you will dismiss them without a care.  God is for me!  Who can be against me?

Secure in your Father's favor you will become fearless and bold.  You will dine in the presence of your enemies and laugh in the face of adversity.  You will dance upon the waves of circumstances and when you are tried by fires of life you shall not be burned (see Isaiah 43:2).

The gospel is not an invitation to accept Jesus; it is the stunning announcement that he accepts you.  Although the law reveals it is impossible for you to make yourself acceptable and pleasing to God, the gospel of acceptance declares that in Christ you have been made acceptable for eternity.  Nothing you do can make you more or less pleasing to God than you already are.  All this is to the praise of the glory of his grace.

Grace - Five Ways Jesus Revealed Grace

Five Ways Jesus Revealed Grace 

by Paul Ellis

Have you ever noticed that Jesus never said the word "grace"? Doesn't this strike you as odd? After all, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jesus is supposed to be Grace personified. So why didn't He talk about it? The word "grace" appears just four times in the four gospels and not once does Jesus say it. In contrast, the word "law" appears hundreds of times, often in connection with Jesus' preaching. Paul dedicated his life to preaching the gospel of grace, but Jesus was the greatest law preacher of all time. 

Here's something else Jesus never said to any individual: "I love you." Jesus may not have said it but He sure showed it. His selfless sacrifice on the cross was the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen. On the cross He wrapped His arms around the world and gave us a big "I love you." It is exactly like that with grace. He may not have said it, but He showed it big time. Here are just five of the ways that Jesus revealed the unmerited favor of a good and gracious God. 

How did Jesus reveal grace? 

1. By showing up! 

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. (Lk 2:10-11, 14) 

I have heard people preach this verse as though God was selective with His favor. "Maybe His favor rests on you, maybe it doesn't. You'd better behave yourself and hope for the best." But the angel brought good news of great joy that was for "all the people." Are you people? Then God's favor rests on you! 

What does the favor of God look like? It looks exactly like Jesus. God's favor and God's Savior are synonymous. In every Old Testament mention of promised Savior, we get a hint of grace. Then on the night of His birth we get a mighty shout. "Peace has come to earth!" As Mary discovered and we're still learning, we are highly favored. How so? Because the Lord is with us. He is not against us. He is for us and He is with us. You cannot have the Lord and be anything other than highly favored. He is a magnet to His own favor. 

2. By proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord 

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Lk 4:18-19) 

I used to think this verse was good news for handicapped people and those living below the poverty line. Then I realized that Jesus is describing all of us. Relative to God we are all poor and needy. Every one of us is bankrupt of life and righteousness. "The whole world is a prisoner of sin" (Gal 3:22). That's why Jesus announced the Year of Jubilee. Because of Jesus, we have come home, our debts are cleared, and now we reap what we haven't sown. In the Year of Jubilee all the slaves were freed. Again, that's us. We were bound but knowing the Truth we are free indeed. That sounds like the good news of God's grace to me! 

3. By telling stories about grace 

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for pearls of great price; it is like a treasure hidden in a field. (Mt 13:44-45) 

Jesus preached law to the self-righteous, but ordinary folks typically got stories of grace. And what stories they were! These weren't morality tales for there was no catch, no lesson to be learned. The lost coin did nothing to be found. The lost sheep did not rescue itself. The prodigal returned as a worker but was received as a son. 

Without saying the word grace, Jesus left lasting impressions of unmerited favor. He came for us because in His eyes we are the treasure; we are the pearl of great price. He Himself said so! Jesus' stories leave us, like the prodigal, speechless in the loving arms of their Father. 

4. By showing (and preaching!) unconditional forgiveness 

Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." (Mat 9:2) 

When preaching to those under the law, Jesus made forgiveness conditional. But on the street, Jesus revealed another forgiveness that is unconditional. The paralytic had forgiven no one yet he was forgiven. It was the same with the sinful woman (Luke 7). It was the same for the whole world when Jesus hung on the cross (Lk 23:34). 

If this seems confusing to you, look at the cross. The cross is the dividing line of history and the crossroads of two covenants. Before the cross it was, "Forgive and you will be forgiven." But speaking of what would happen as a result of the cross, Jesus also said, "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men" (Mat 12:31). When was every sin and blasphemy forgiven? At the cross! Unconditional forgiveness is one of the most liberating manifestations of grace. When you know that you have been completely forgiven, you are free to forgive yourself and others. 

5. By preaching faith over flesh 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Joh 3:16) 

Look carefully at the end of that verse. There is a full-stop, a period. Praise God for that period! It is the greatest period in the history of periods! That period declares the scandalous grace of God that will not share the stage with any man. The old covenant required about a hundred chapters to list all the things you need to do if you were to have any hope of impressing God, but here in the new, you just have to believe. Full-stop! 

Jesus didn't come with a list of commandments. We already had those from Moses. It's true that Jesus preached law before the cross to those under the law but that wasn't His main reason for coming. He came to open blind eyes, set the captives free, and give us new life. All that He asked was that we receive what He wanted to give us. This is the only thing Grace will ever ask of you. "Receive Me." 

Jesus = grace 

Jesus may not have said "I love you" [to any one person], but those who met Him went away knowing they were dearly loved. Just ask John. For the rest of his life he went around telling people, "I'm the disciple Jesus loves." So are you. 

To know His love is to know His grace. They are inseparable. God is gracious because He is love. Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to reveal the grace of a good God who loves us like a Father. He came to bring us good news of great joy that is for all people.

Grace - Jesus Called Both Peter And Judas "Friend"

What if I Disappoint God? by Paul Ellis

"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Eph 1:6, NKJV)


We are accepted "in the Beloved." Some take this to mean we are only in the kingdom because we have a friend in high places. This is misleading. It's like saying, "God can't stand you personally but as a special favor to Jesus he'll pretend he can't see you." I know, it's silly. Yet some Christians are worried sick that if God knew the secrets of their hearts he would kick them out in a heartbeat. In order to avoid detection they maintain such a low profile you could mistake them for pancakes.

Others wear masks because they fear rejection. "If you knew who I really am, you wouldn't love me." Well guess what. God knows you better than you know yourself and he still loves you.

Genuine acceptance is based on knowledge. You can't truly accept someone unless you know them and God knows you. He knows everything you have ever done and everything you will ever do. He knows your darkest secrets and every skeleton in your closest. He knows what you did last summer and what you're going to do next winter. And despite knowing all this, your heavenly Father still loves you like crazy.

You may be worried that you will disappoint God. It's not going to happen. It is literally impossible to disappoint an all-knowing God. When you make a mistake you may surprise yourself—"I can't believe I did that"—but God is never surprised. Since nothing you do ever catches God off guard, rest assured that you can never disappoint him. When you stumble he responds with unaffected grace: "I knew you were going to do that, but don't worry, I still love you."

Jesus knew ahead of time that Peter was going to deny him and yet Jesus didn't reject Peter. Instead he loved him and prayed for him. Jesus knew ahead of time that Judas would betray him and yet Jesus didn't reject Judas. In the very act of betrayal Jesus called him "friend" signaling that even in that dark moment the door of acceptance remained wide open.

We don't deserve any of this. We have done nothing to merit his favor. If anything, we have done plenty to warrant his displeasure. Yet Jesus reaches out to a sinful world and says, "Open the door and invite me in for dinner."

Jesus' acceptance is mind-boggling. It's like nothing on earth.

[Excerpted from The Gospel in Ten Words, pp.74-75]