| | | | The Gift of New Life: Freedom & Grace - John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Christmas is the season of giving gifts, and this week we're doing a countdown of ten things that every Christian has been given as a result of the new life we have in Christ (Read part 1 HERE). Today we'll be looking at number 8 & 7 in our countdown - Freedom and God's grace.
8 - Freedom
Everyone want's to be free; Free from tyranny and oppression, freedom to pursue our dreams, freedom to choose our own path… but true freedom is only found in Jesus Christ;
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
What does that mean? It means that through our new life in Christ, we're now free from condemnation, we're from the power of sin, we're from the curse of death, and most of all, we're to live our lives with purpose for Him who set us free!
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
7 - The Grace of God
...through (Jesus Christ) whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
The word translated grace in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis, which means "unmerited favor, blessing, or kindness." Of course we all have times when we extend grace to others. But when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a more powerful meaning, in that God is chooses to bless us rather than curse us (as our sin deserves). It is God's benevolence to the undeserving, and it's not limited to kindness:
Romans 5:10 tells us that God extended grace to us even though we were enemies of God...
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Rom 5:10
According to Eph 2:8 it is God's grace that saves us...
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God Eph 2:8
Rom 5:17 tells us that it is God's grace that leads us into victorious living
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Rom 5:17
Notice what Paul says; as Christians we are the recipients of God's "abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness." In other words, His grace is abundant and inexhaustable. His righteousness is what allows us to stand righteous and acceptable before a holy God.
Christian, if these four things; Forgiveness, relationship, freedom, and grace were all that were granted to us, it would be enough. But again, there is MORE! Tune in tomorrow and we'll cover two more gifts that we have as a result of our new life in Christ.
Pastor Clay
Pastor Clay | | | | | | | |
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