One Small Seed Newsletter – Edition #270, October 2023
Greetings and blessings unto you in Jesus’ name. Last month I addressed the subject of having faith in God, which is more than simply believing that he can do something, but it is the application of ourselves to depend upon what we believe. This month I want to add another factor to this subject.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 the word says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. The things that the Apostle Paul wrote were not intended to embarrass, shame, or offend any soul. His purpose was to teach the truths that Christ taught so that we are enlightened, made aware of and adhered to, in order to please our God. Of course there is the part that we must be familiar with and that is: that our minds are not always in tuned to the whole truth and we must adhere to the truth in order to receive the positive consequences to his love.
When the word grace was used before the word faith, it was pointing out that this grace is a gift from God in order for us to reach His faith, that we also receive from him. The Apostle Paul verified this in Romans 1:17, when he said, “For there in is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to Faith: as it is written, “The just shall live by faith”. By this he meant that there is no faith in unrighteousness; as John said in 1 John 5:17, “All unrighteousness is a condition absent of God’s presence.” It is the opposite of God’s will and it is then classified the enemy of God.
The grace of God was filled with love, so he showed to them the way. The way was well lit by truth and life and proof of what is right. Right is not based upon opinions and supposition, but upon what has been proven and that which has been written in Bible history concerning right or wrong. As a people we have no excuse and as a people we should be holy.
Some believe that since God gave us grace he was allowing us to do all we wanted to do. This is true, if we follow his guidelines, but it’s not true if we don’t follow his guidelines. He said, “If you love me then keep my commandments“, so his grace doesn’t override his will or his attributes. Since sin is an abomination to him, he isn’t going to override his perfect will and compromise any of his precepts.
I realize the flesh and blood that doesn’t inherit any part of his Kingdom still is living in a natural environment, but this environment can be controlled by the attributes of God by the power of His Holy Spirit in us. That is why the Bible says that we were predestined to conform to the image of the Son and to have the mind of Christ.
These statements wouldn’t have been made if they weren’t possible, but because of Grace and Truth they are possible. “By ‘Grace’ ye are saved through ‘Faith’ and not of works”- ritual, law, sacrifices or tax forgiving gifts. All that God requires from us is faith and obedience to the guidance of His Word and Spirit.
Some may say, But I’m unable to fight the impulses of the flesh to do things that are against God’s laws. I have noticed a lot of this going on today and all that I can do is advise from the word. Number 1: the Word says, In the world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (Jesus). Number 2: The Apostle Paul said in Romans 5:3-5 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations worketh patience and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us,” (this is like working out at the gym). Number 3: The Apostle James said in Chapter 4, “From whence (where) come wars and fighting among you (speaking about the carnal against the spiritual), come they not hence even of your lust (desires) that war in your members? (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. This is where faith will lead us. Religion is the extension of Faith that fulfills the will of God in us that we bear much fruit to His glory. There are no rituals involved because it is between us and our God. God bless.
Your friend in Christ,
Rodney Roberts